Hippopotamus Christmas Tree Ornament: Cutting Pieces to Size

 

My Ornaments

I could cut all the wood to size before applying the patterns, but my previous experience has taught me that this is a significant waste of time. If I cut the wood first, I would need to attach the patterns individually. This process requires cutting out each pattern, peeling off the backing, and securing the patterns one at a time. Using spray adhesive would only prolong the task. 

The patterns are printed on half-sheet labels, with nine Hippopotamus ornament patterns on each label. Three labels fill one board, allowing for a total of 27 Hippopotamus ornaments per board. I used my computer with Linux Mint and Inkscape to determine the most efficient way to arrange the labels, maximizing the use of the wood.

 

Handcrafted Victorian-Style Fretwork Christian Cross - Perfect for Easter, Christmas, and Home Decor

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This cross showcases an intricate fretwork design, making it a beautiful addition to your home or office decor with a touch of spiritual elegance. Each piece is carefully handcrafted and finished. It is an ideal gift for loved ones or for yourself. Whether you want to enhance your home decor or celebrate your faith, this cross is a perfect choice for your collection.

Approximate Size:
    Height:  2 7/8 inches
    Width:  2 inches
    Thickness: 1/4 inch

All the items I create are handmade using natural wood and wood products. Each piece is unique and may vary in appearance from one item to the next. The item you receive may differ slightly from the item pictured in the listing photos. The thickness of the wood used in your item may also vary slightly from the size specified in the listing.

It's important to note that the natural variations in wood grain, color, and knots make each piece one-of-a-kind and add to the item's character and charm. The variations should be expected and are not considered defects. If you have any concerns about the variations or would like to request a specific look or size, please contact me before placing your order, and I will do my best to accommodate your request.

Handmade in Tallahassee, Florida, USA

Hippopotamus Christmas Tree Ornament: Drilling The Eyes

My Ornaments

 If possible, I always drill any necessary holes before cutting out parts. Small pieces, like these Hippopotamus ornaments, are easier to hold, and the risk of the wood splitting is reduced.

I purchased a used Grizzly drill press, refurbished it, and set it up for drilling small holes. As a test, I used it to drill a hole through a toothpick. The specifications for the Wen keyless chuck indicate that it can hold bits as small as 1/64 inch. While it can accommodate even smaller bits, I specifically need to use wire gauge bits for that purpose. For drilling smaller holes, I also have a Dremel drill press and several collets available.

When drilling holes, I set up the drill press so that the bit barely goes through the wood, just enough to create a visible bump or small hole. I drill from one side, then turn the piece over and finish drilling from the other side. This method minimizes tear-out. While it's much easier to use a brad point bit, you can also accomplish this with a twist drill bit.

Handmade Victorian Fretwork Christmas Angel Ornament

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This beautiful handmade wood Victorian Fretwork style Christmas angel ornament is perfect for your holiday decor. It is made from upcycled wood and is hand-finished with clear shellac.

Features:
Handmade from upcycled wood
Hand-finished with clear shellac.
Victorian Fretwork Style
Perfect addition to your holiday decor

Specifications:
Material: Upcycled Wood
Finish: Clear shellac

All the items I create are handmade using natural wood and wood products. Each piece is unique and may vary in appearance from one item to the next. The item you receive may differ slightly from the item pictured in the listing photos. The thickness of the wood used in your item may also vary slightly from the size specified in the listing.

It's important to note that the natural variations in wood grain, color, and knots make each piece one-of-a-kind and add to the item's character and charm. The variations should be expected and are not considered defects. If you have any concerns about the variations or would like to request a specific look or size, please contact me before placing your order, and I will do my best to accommodate your request.

Handmade in Tallahassee, Florida, USA

Hippopotamus Christmas Tree Ornament: Cutting the Patterns Apart

My Ornaments 

 I am using black limba boards that are 24 inches long for my hippopotamus Christmas tree ornament project. However, 24 inches is too long to cut on my Excalibur EX-21 scroll saw. I needed to separate the patterns, but there wasn't enough space between the patterns to use my miter saw. Smaller pieces are easier to cut on my scroll saw and drill holes for the eyes, so I use my scroll saw for the cross-cutting.

Ripping The Black Limba Wood: Hippopotamus Christmas Tree Ornaments

My Ornaments 

With the patterns applied, step two in my 275 Hippo Christmas tree ornaments project is trimming the wood to size. Black limba is expensive, so I carefully ripped one-inch strips from the edge. While one-inch-wide strips alone are of limited use, wood glue and clamps can effectively join them together. For example, if I face glue two of the strips together, I will get a 1x1-inch square. I can compound cut square pieces on my scroll saw into small birdhouse ornaments or turn them on my Shopsmith lathe. Five-inch-wide boards would have been the perfect width for this project. However, it was not available in five-inch widths.

I used my Shopsmith table saw with a thin kerf 7.25-inch Freud blade and a zero clearance insert to do the cutting. I also used two Microjig GRR-RIPPER push blocks to feed the wood through the saw.

Applying The Labels to The Black Limba Boards: Hippopotamus Chritsmas Tree Ornaments

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I applied the pattern labels to the black limba boards, placing three labels on each board. Each board accommodates 27 hippos, and I have also started on a part of another board. This setup will yield a total of 275 hippos, plus four extras. I always aim to create some additional pieces in case something goes wrong. If all the hippos turn out well, I will ship the extras to the customer.

I wanted to crosscut between the labels with my miter saw, but I couldn't get the sticky labels aligned straight enough to ensure clearance across the entire area. In hindsight, I should have placed one label on each end and one label in the center. This arrangement would have given me enough room to use the miter saw.