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If you have ever wondered how to make a cross stand, you’ve come to the right place. There are three main steps to make this piece of art, including wood, glue, and clamping. You also need to be aware of the correct proportions for the arms and base. In this article, I’ll go over the process step-by-step. Hopefully, this article will help you to make a cross stand that will stand out in any room!
Wood
If you plan to build your own cross stand, you should take into account several factors. First of all, you need two pieces of wood in the correct proportions. Then, you’ll need an extra piece of wood, at least half as long as the first, for the underground section. You can then secure these two pieces together using wood glue or a small nail. When the glue or nail has dried, you can attach the wood pieces together and fasten them.
After sanding the wood cross with fine-grit sandpaper, you can then stain it. Wear rubber gloves while working with the wood, as the finish is delicate. Alternatively, you can use Wverly antiquing wax in place of the normal stain. Once the stain is applied, use a paintbrush to apply the antiquing wax. Wipe off any excess wax with a rag. Once the cross is finished, you can paint, stain, or polyurethane it.
Once the glue has dried, the cross can now be mounted on the base. A piece of rough-finished wood can be edge-glued over the cross to create a tablet. You can even paint the cross with your spouse’s names in the background. This way, you can memorialize your special day with your spouse. You can also use this cross to place your favorite scripture passage. You can also attach five drawer pulls into the cross.
Glue
Glue is a must-have tool for making wooden crafts, especially for making a cross stand. But how to use it? The first thing you must do is mix glue well. Glue can be purchased in a four-liter jug, but you may have to mix it by hand. Make sure the glue is well mixed before spreading it on the cross. It may be hard to control how much glue to use at one time, so keep a good amount of glue around.
For a sturdy base, you can use two squares of wood stacked on top of each other. Use countersunk screws to ensure they do not scratch the surface of your furniture. You can also place felt on top of the screw base. Glue the cross together, but keep in mind that you will need props until the glue dries. Alternatively, you can screw the cross pieces together.
Glue bonds best with wood that has a long grain. If you are joining two pieces end-to-end, you will find that glue does not bond well enough. However, if you are joining two pieces side by side, it is important to use a thin line of squeeze-out to prevent starvation of the joint. Too much glue creates a lubricated surface and is hard to align.
Clamping
You can build a miter clamp for yourself to save money. Wood strips and plywood triangles make great clamps. To make sure you clamp correctly, lay your mitered piece flat on a flat surface. When assembling your clamp, make sure to align the long side of the clamp with the joint. If you don’t have any experience building miter clamps, apply glue on both joint faces before installing. When assembling your clamp, use hand screws instead of machine screws because they won’t scratch the workpiece.
You can also try adhesive-backed felt pads to repair the jaws of the C-clamp. Larger precut rectangle shapes fit the faces of a woodworking bar clamp. If you’re having trouble identifying the size of your bar clamp, look for larger precut rectangular shapes. Once you have found the right one, trim the pads to fit. Then, insert the clamp and tighten it. If it flops during gluing, try using a pipe clamp instead.
Proper proportions of arms
When making a cross stand, you must take into account the dimensions of the arms. Usually, you should use the same width of wood planks as the height of the cross in feet. For instance, if the cross is five feet high, you should use 5 inch wide planks. If it is intended to be displayed in a church’s interior, you can use a 12 foot high and six foot wide cross.
Using a miter jig
If you’re looking for a way to make a cross stand, then a miter jig can help you. Miter jigs are designed to help you make crosscuts and grooves easily and quickly. By adjusting the angles of the footplate and blade, you can easily achieve the desired cut width. The miter jig can be adjusted to fit various thicknesses of wood, which makes it a versatile tool.
To create your own miter jig, buy a 16-inch square of MDF. The factory corner is set at 90 degrees. This will help you make accurate miters. Cut the fence in half and stack the waste. The resulting edge is 1-1/2 inches thick, so it’s ideal for wood that’s slightly thicker. Once the glue is dry, plane the board to fit the miter gauge‘s slot.
In a few minutes, you can construct a cross cut sled. Adding a built-in stop block is a great way to upgrade the basic miter jig to an all-in-one solution. The miter sled’s accuracy is unsurpassed by a miter saw. In fact, it’s the only tool that can produce perfect 45 degree cuts.
You can also use a stick-on tape rule to calibrate the blade. You can apply it on the swivel arm and measure the length of your scrap. This measurement should match the length of the swivel arm, as the swivel arm has to be angled to get the proper squareness. If you’re making a miter jig for a particular angle, it’s best to use a tape rule to set the proper angle.
