Candle Holder With Decorative Inlay

I made this for my wife's PartyLite candles. It is made of some Red Oak I had lying around with some walnut for a (this time intentional) decorative inlay. It is an easy, quick project, and the Danish Oil finish really lets the wood pop with its natural color.

• I chose Red Oak for the main pieces and Walnut for the inlay.
• Cut the base out 3/4 inch thick wood to a size of 5 1/2 inches by 4 inches.
• Cut the top also out of 3/4 inch thick wood to 2 1/4 inches to 2 3/4 inches.
• Cut a 1 1/2 inch length out of 1 1/2 inch by 1 1/2 inch wood for the pedestal.

• Connect the diagonals o the top to find the center.
• Use a 1 1/2 inch Forstner Bit.
• Set the depth to 1/2 inch.
• Drill the hole.

• Put a 1/4 inch straight bit in the router table.
• Set the fence to the groove will be 1/4 inch from the edge on the base.
• Set the depth of the groove to 1/8 inch.
• Carefully run each edge through the router.
• Cut the inlay material into 1/4 inch wide strips.
• Cut the inlays for the long sides overlong.
• If they are slightly too wide for the grooves, sand them until they fit.
• Glue the long sides in.
• For the shorter ends, hold the piece in place, mark the length with a knife, and cut it using a miter box.
• Use some of the ends for the other short sections on inlay.
• When dry, cut off the excess.
• Sand the inlay flush with the surface.

• Insert a 45 degree chamfer bit into the router table.
• Chamfer all edges on the pedastal.
• Chamfer the long edges of the base and top.

• Sand all the parts to at least 120 grit.
• Sanding the the most fun! (or not).

• Mark the location of the pedestal on the base.
• Glue and clamp the pedestal to the base.
• After it is dry, drill two 1 1/2 inch holes in the base into the pedestal.
• Glue 1/4 inch dowels into the holes to reinforce the joint.
• Glue and clamp the top to the pedestal.
• After it is dry, drill a a 1 inch hole through the center.
• Glue a 1/4 dowel into the hole.
• When all is dry, trim any excess dowel.

• Remove the dust with and vacuum and/or tack cloth.
• Rub in two coats of Danish Oil finish.
• Apply a coat of wax.

Add a candle and enjoy!

Free plans are available in SketchUp and PDF formats.