How to Build a Wooden Lighthouse
Warning
Read and follow all instructions that come with your equipment. Do not use your tools without adequate training. Wear safety goggles at all times during this project.
Make a simple wooden lighthouse lawn ornament to add a decorative touch to your porch. The lighthouse can complement other lawn features and ornaments, create an ocean motif and light the lawn during parties.
"Chop" six boards on the table saw so that they are all 36 inches long. "Rip" the six boards so that they are only 8 inches wide. Do not taper the boards.
Tilt the table saw 30 degrees to create a 60-degree corner down one side of the wood. Place the fence of the saw perpendicular to the table. Turn on the saw and push the board through the saw with your push stick. Repeat on the other side of the board so there are two corners on the same wide side of the board with 60-degree angle corners.
- Make a simple wooden lighthouse lawn ornament to add a decorative touch to your porch.
- Tilt the table saw 30 degrees to create a 60-degree corner down one side of the wood.
Glue the cut edges of the six boards together so that the boards form a hexagon. Tie the boards together with twine; don't over-tighten the twine or it will cut into the boards. Make sure that the ends of the boards are even with each other. Wait 24 hours for the glue to dry completely.
Cut the tower's end boards. Trace the base of the tower on plywood. Add 1 inch all the way around the outline and cut out the base. Trace the base and cut out an identical shape. Use wood glue to attach the bases to each side of the tower. Weigh down the glued bases with a heavy object, such as a milk jug full of water.
- Glue the cut edges of the six boards together so that the boards form a hexagon.
- Use wood glue to attach the bases to each side of the tower.
Glue the lid of a 1-quart jar onto the center of the tower with cyanoacrylate glue so the lid faces upwards. Screw the jar onto the lid. Cut six triangles from the plywood with a coping saw; each triangle should be 60 degrees at all three angles. These pieces will form the hexagonal roof. Glue together the triangles with wood glue. Glue the completed hexagonal roof on top of the jar with cyanoacrylate glue.
Paint the tower white and add black stripes to the tower. Use masking tape to cover the white paint at the edges where you want to put the black stripe. Wait for the paint to dry. Get a small LED powered light that will fit into the jar lid and allow the jar to screw on over it. Place your lighthouse on a flat piece of ground.
- Glue the lid of a 1-quart jar onto the center of the tower with cyanoacrylate glue so the lid faces upwards.
- Glue the completed hexagonal roof on top of the jar with cyanoacrylate glue.
Related Articles
References
Resources
