Christmas Card Caddy.

Make this nice caddy for any occasion.
This attractive, yet easy to build, project makes a great Christmas present.
Deliver it filled with food, wine, candy or use your imagination.

Mounting of the handle supports. Mounting of the end slats. The completed item. * * * * * * * * * Right-click on the picture above to download the full scale drawings as an Adobe Acrobat pdf file. * * * * * * * * *

Detailed Instructions
*********** WARNING***********
Read my page on safety before building this item.

Materials needed:
Any wood will work for this project.
1 - piece of 1/4" thick pine - 6" * 12" for the bottom. & the slats.
1 - piece of 1/2" thick pine - 8" * 24" for the sides & the handle supports.
1 - 6" length of 1/2" dowel for the handle.

Construction:
1. First, download the Adobe Acrobat pdf file by right clicking on the drawing above then print out the full size drawings.
2. Cut the bottom from 1/4" stock to 5-1/8" by 9".
3. Cut six slats from 1/4" stock to 1" by 5-1/8".
4. Cut a 4-5/8" length of 1/2" dowel for the handle.
5. Cut the two handle supports from 1/2" stock to 1" by 7-3/4".
6. Band-saw and/or sand the top of the handle supports to a nice round shape.
7. Use the full size template to cut the sides from 1/2" stock.
8. Use a router or table saw to cut the 1/4" grooves into the inner surface of the sides for the slats.
9. Cut the 1/4" groove along the bottom edge of the sides for the bottom.
10. Drill the 1/2" holes into the handle supports 1/4" deep for the handle.
11. Position, glue, and clamp the bottom into the groove along the edges of the sides.
12. Glue, and clamp the handle into the holes in the handle supports.
13. Position, glue, and clamp the handle supports to the sides.
14. Glue the slats into the grooves down the ends of the sides. Spacers will make this easier and produce a nicer end project..
15. Sand all flat surfaces with 200 grit paper and remove all sharp corners.
16. Paint, decorate and fill.
17. You can glue ribbons, pine cones, tree decorations or paint the sides.
18. Carve or wood-burn the name of the family into side for a nice extra.