Jen Alberring and Alyssa Ellison of Sidney Elementary School shared this project as an ADST activity to complement a unit spent reading "Pax", a book about a fox by Sara Pennypacker. The project is a book stand for hands-free reading: the book's spine rests on the fox, and the open pages rest on the dowels (the book can also sit closed resting with the cover facing out). It's a great introduction to a range of tools including a drill press, electric hand drill, rasp, coping saw, back saw, speed square, screwdriver, etc. Note: depending on the skill level of the students, teachers may want to make a jig for drilling the dowel holes, which should be about 2" apart, and at least 1/2" in from the end and edges of the base plate. Thanks to Jen and Alyssa for sharing their photos and procedure!
Tools & Materials
Material List
- 1x4 pine, two pieces, one at 8", one at 5"
- 3/8" dowel, 4" per project
- scrap 1x4 for sawing guides, sanding blocks, etc.
- one #6 screw 1-1/4"
- wood glue
- non-toxic wax or oil finish
Tool list
- pencil
- sitting fox outline template (printed or drawn, max 4"x5")
- ruler
- speed square
- C-clamp and/or vise
- backsaw
- coping saw
- sand paper (80, 100, 120 grits)
- block plane or spoke shave
- rasp
- drill press
- electric hand drill
- drill bits: 5/64", 7/64", 5/16", 3/8"
- awl (or thin nail)
- screwdriver (matching #6 screw head)
- cloth rag
- optional: mitre box
- optional: hammer
- optional: steel wool to apply wax finish
Procedure
-
Clamp your fox firmly to the edge of the table or into a vise, ensuring that the relief lines you want to cut are clear of the table. Cut along the relief lines towards your fox one at a time. Cut until you are just approaching the outline of the fox (about 1/16" away). Reposition your fox as often as necessary to cut all of the relief lines.
-
Secure your fox firmly with the clamp or in the vise, and begin to cut out the contour of the fox using a coping saw. Cut on the scrap side of the pencil line, at least 1/16" away from the line. Cut from one relief line to the next, and allow the chunks of wood to fall away from your project. Reposition your fox in the clamp or vise as often as necessary to cut all the way around the outside of the fox.
-
Measure and mark the long centre on the bottom of your base. Put a check mark on the end of your wood FURTHEST from the holes drilled in step 16 to remind you that your fox will sit on this end, the opposite end to the dowels. Determine which way you want your fox to face, and place it on this line (remember, the fox will be glued to the TOP, you are just placing the fox here to figure out where to drill the hole in the bottom). Make sure the edge of the fox is sitting at least 1" in from the edge of the base.
-
Place your base onto a piece of scrap wood, then secure both firmly to the table using the C-clamp. Use the electric hand drill with a 7/64" bit to make a hole through the base at the pencil mark from the last step. Use the 5/16" bit and widen the top 1/16" of this hole to create a counter sink for your screw head.
-
Place your fox between two pieces of scrap wood (to protect it from vise marks), then secure it into the vise, bottom facing up. Use the electric hand drill with a 5/64" bit to drill a 1/2" deep pilot hole vertically into the bottom of the fox.
-
Apply a small amount of glue to the bottom of the fox and the top of the base where the fox will sit. Hold your fox in place, and use the screw driver to screw your #6 x 1-1/4" screw up through the hole in the base and into the fox. Wipe up any excess glue with a damp rag. (You could also secure the fox upside down in the vise in this step, if holding both pieces of wood feels difficult).
-
Use sandpaper to lightly sand the dowel ends smooth.
-
Roll the bottom 1/4" of one dowel in wood glue, and insert into one of the pre-drilled holes. Repeat for the second dowel. Gently tap the dowels to the bottom of the holes with a hammer if they are hard to seat using your hands. Wipe away any excess glue with a damp rag.
-
Allow your project to dry, then open your hardcover copy of "Pax" or whatever book you're reading. Place the spine of the book on the fox's nose (or tail), and the bottom of the pages against the dowels. Enjoy your hands-free reading! You can also place the book in the stand when it's closed, bottom resting on the dowels and the back cover on the fox.
Cutting out the fox
Shaping the fox
Prepare the base
Drilling the dowel holes
Attaching the fox to the base
Cut and insert the dowels
Finishing touches
Enjoy!
Extension Challenges
- Choose your own animal (or other simple outline) from your favourite book or story to create a custom book holder.
- Experiment with different technologies: can you cut your fox out with a CNC machine? Can you use a 3D printer to make your fox?
- Research different designs of book holders, such as cook book stands, and make your own version.
- Design a larger version of the book holder that could be used as a music stand to hold sheet music.
- Shape your fox out of a wider block of wood: glue two pieces of 5" 1x4 together or source a thicker plank to cut your fox outline from. Spend time shaping your fox with rasps, carving knives, or a rotary tool until it has the 3D shape of a real fox.