November 2014 Project of the Month - Christmas Candle Centerpiece

[mtylerfl]

Hello,

This Candle Centerpiece design features pinecones and evergreen branches to adorn your holiday table! The “candles” are PVC pipes with battery operated flickering tea lights resting at the base of each one. The pipes lift out of recessed grooves for easy access to turn the lights on and off. All components are carved and cut out using just the 1/16" Carving Bit and the 1/8" Cutting Bit. No other bits are required.

The completed project dimensions are about 10" x 16" oval x 1.5" thick (not including PVC candle height).

Main items you will need:
1) The Project Files (included):
• Christmas_Centerpiece_TOP.mpc
• Centerpiece_BASE.mpc

2) Boards with the following dimensions:
TOP: 0.75" x 11" x 24"
BASE: 0.75" x 11" x 24"

Do not use boards that are smaller than specified above unless using an appropriate jig. Larger boards are fine in all cases.

3) One 8.5"and two 6.5" lengths of 1.5" PVC pipe (NOTE: a 1.5" PVC pipe has an outer diameter of 2")

4) Three battery operated LED tea light candles, wood glue, sandpaper, wood stain and/or paint and clear finish

LED Tea Lights Sourced from Amazon.com
AGPtek 24 Battery Operated LED Cool White Tea Light Flickering Candles $15.99 (less than $0.67 for each light)
Box of 24 Cool White Led Flameless Flickering Candles. Includes 24 CR2032 coin batteries (inside the candles)
http://www.amazon.com/AGPtek-Operate...WX09BMYKEGMBKQ

I purchased the Cool White LED candles above. If you prefer, Warm White LED candles are also available..

AGPtek 24 Battery Operated LED Warm White Tea Light Candle Flickering $17.99
Box of 24 Warm White Led Flameless Flickering Candles. Includes 24 CR2032 coin batteries (inside the candles)
http://www.amazon.com/AGPtek-Battery...V6M61MZ79QP0AG

5) A Dremel-type rotary tool with assorted sanding wheels and bits to sand small details and speed up preparation for finishing.

Apply your choice of finish.
Here’s what I used on my own “Christmas Candle Centerpiece” made from Select Pine:

• Several light coats Zinsser Bulls Eye spray Shellac sanding between coats

• Applied green craft paint with fingertip on the raised “branches” only

• Applied three coats Zinsser Bulls Eye spray Shellac

• Applied Rust-Oleum Carrington stain overall, then wiped off the high spots to enhance the carving details

• Several light coats of Krylon Clear acrylic spray as the final topcoat

Ideas for variations:
• Paint the PVC pipe “candles” - gold, red, or green
• Add metallic glitter flakes on the PVC pipes using spray adhesive, then a clear topcoat
• Apply white paint “snow” on the pine cones and branches using your finger or a paint pen or a brush
• If you own the CarveWright Rotary Jig, you can carve your a design or photo on each of the PVC pipes for a classy lithophane backlit effect!