Could be an ornament

[Ron Altier]

 I got an idea for an complicated ornament, so I made this one. It is not all glued up yet. As you can see the bird is too small, the overall size is also too large for an ornament. From the top to the bottom it is 6 inches and dia 3 inches. I made it of pine, easy to work with and I was experimenting as I went, no loss if I goofed or the idea didn't work.  I kinda like it, but it will have to be scaled down to be used on the Christmas tree as an ornament. Maybe use it in a Christmas wreath. I'm going to make a smaller one sometime when I can get around to it.

 One of the main reasons for doing this piece was to do a project that takes some time. This Covic isolation sure curtailed our activities. I did enjoy it and the time did fly by.

[lew]

I taut I taw a puddy tat!

 

Nice!

[FlGatorwood]

Wow! Ron.  I love it.  Did you use toothpicks?  How did you get the post holes to match up?  I would like to follow that process.  And, thanks for sharing your complicated product.  

[Larry Buskirk]

30 minutes ago, lew said:

I taut I taw a puddy tat!

You did! 

[Larry Buskirk]

@Ron Altier

With all the ornaments you're making you're going to need a BIGGER tree. 

[Gunny]

38 minutes ago, Larry Buskirk said:

@Ron Altier

With all the ornaments you're making you're going to need a BIGGER tree. 

I was thinking the same thing.

 

Beautiful work!!

[Ron Altier]

Bigger tree? No, not so much. My daughters and grandchildren get their pick each Christmas. As many as they like. That is, after my wife picks the ones she likes.

[Ron Altier]

1 hour ago, FlGatorwood said:

Wow! Ron.  I love it.  Did you use toothpicks?  How did you get the post holes to match up?  I would like to follow that process.  And, thanks for sharing your complicated product.  

 I bought the dowels on Amazon 1/8" X 6", pack of 100. I laid out the circle pattern on 1/4" hobby plywood

I marked center, and drew the dowel placement circles with compass. I drew the angles across the center to the perimeter for the number of dowels I wanted. Punched centers and drilled for dowels at the intersections. I drilled only one thickness, I know that small drills drift. Then I temporarily  attached the other half to the drilled one. Be sure to mark each and how it faces. I used the drilled holes for a guide. I cut the dowels to length and inserted in the drilled holes. I glued all the dowels in place but two, this allowed me to insert the bird in predrilled hole in center. I turned the top and bottom with a recess to accommodate the top and bottom to fit flush. I only glued the bottom cap on. This allows me to remove the two unglued dowels and make alterations (bigger bird if I can find one) I can still make changes, until I glue the top on.

 This probably isn't too clear, but I can answer other questions if needed

Edited August 11, 2020 by Ron Altier

[FlGatorwood]

Ron, your explanation and picture are absolutely perfect.  I won't be copying that for a very long time if ever.  That is awesome engineering and work.  Thank you so much for taking the time to explain and show the pictures.  I am green with envy.  And, I am proud of you for doing and showing this idea.  

[Jim L]

nice

[Ron Altier]

I didn't like the bird, it was way too small for the cage. So I made my own bird. I cut it out with a small band saw and  used my Ryobi rotary tool with some small sanding cylinders. It isn't the greatest, but it is nonetheless......a bird.

[Gunny]

I was thinking put a Lego man inside.