4×4 Pumpkin from scrap wood

Are you looking for a fun and creative way to repurpose scrap wood posts? In this woodworking tutorial, I’ll guide you through the steps of creating a charming pumpkin using simple tools and materials. Whether you have a 4×4 post or other leftover pieces, this project is perfect for adding a touch of rustic autumn decor to your home.

Get creative with different sizes, shapes, and distressing techniques to personalize your 4×4 pumpkins. Enjoy your woodworking project and have fun adding a delightful touch of autumn to your home decor!

I made slightly different 4×4 wood pumpkins in this post: Fall Craft Fair Product that Sells: 4×4 Rustic Wood Pumpkin Set – Wood Craft Blueprints if you want more inspiration on how to finish your Fall pumpkins.

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Tools and Supplies for 4×4 Pumpkin

Before diving into the project, make sure you have the following tools and supplies ready:

• Miter saw
• Angle grinder
• Flap wheel disc for grinder, 60 like this Dewalt one here (affiliate link)
• Orbital sander
• Drill
• Safety Glasses
• 4×4 post (short piece, at least 10 inches)
• 1″ Dowel, or tree branch for the stem
• Orange and brown paint
• Greenery or fall garland

Cutting and shaping the 4×4 Post

Begin by cutting the 4×4 post to a length of 10 inches using a miter saw. You can make them any height you want but the 8-14 inch range is where I would stay. Tip: sell them as sets, one at 8 inches and one at 12 inches!

After cutting to length, adjust the miter saw table to a 45° angle and trim off the corners of the post. This angled cut will give your pumpkin a more rounded shape.

Adding Character with Distressing

Adding Character with Distressing: Securely clamp the post to a table and use an angle grinder to round off the corners, distress the wood, and add character to your pumpkin.

Don’t forget to run the angle grinder down the sides as well to create added dimension and texture.

Painting the 4×4 Pumpkin

Painting the Pumpkin: Now it’s time to bring some vibrant color to your creation. Paint the entire surface of the pumpkin with orange paint, and use brown paint to color the stem.

Once the paint has dried, use an orbital sander to gently sand off excess paint, revealing the distressed areas and giving your pumpkin a weathered look.

Creating a Stem and Adding Finishing Touches

For the stem you can use a dowel rod or tree branch. I’m cutting a 1 inch thick dowel rod to a 2 inch length. (When cutting a short piece, do not hold the short piece. Hold the longer piece so your hand does not get too close to the blade)

Pre-drill the center of the stem using a drill bit.

Then attach the stem to the pumpkin by inserting a screw halfway into the drilled hole.

Wrap a wire from your chosen greenery around the screw and secure it tightly. Finally, continue tightening the screw until the stem is snugly attached to the pumpkin.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully crafted a charming 4×4 pumpkin from scrap wood. This simple woodworking project not only helps you utilize leftover materials but also adds a delightful touch of autumn to your home decor. Get creative with different sizes and shapes, and experiment with various distressing techniques to personalize your pumpkins. Happy woodworking!

If you’re looking for more Fall themed projects, we have an assortment of easy, trendy tutorials in the Wood Craft Blueprints membership! Join today and get instant access!