Beginner Bandsaw Project: “Birds”

This is a cute and easy beginner bandsaw project! Find the FREE template below. Since the pieces are small, you can use scrap wood!

With just a few simple cuts, you can create your own wood birds. These birdies are so cute and can be painted or finished in a variety of ways.

Make a group of them and display on craft moss for a “nest.”

If you’re looking for more Spring bandsaw projects, then you might like this bunny cutout too: Bunny cutout.

Supplies:

• 1×4- short pieces (use up your scrap wood)
• Tracer

Tools: 

• Bandsaw
• Stand up belt sander (or an orbital sander or sandpaper can be used too)

Step 1: Trace bird

To start, print off this PDF bird onto paper using a regular printer. No special paper or ink is required.

Cut out the shape and use it as your tracer. Trace this shape onto your piece of wood with a pencil or marker.

Step 2: Cut on bandsaw

This picture below demonstrates what cut to make first and what cut to do second.

The bottom is cut first and then the top. It will be two curved cuts. There is no need for relief cuts unless your blade is too thick, and you can’t turn it in a tight radius.

Start at the front “beak” and start turning the wood as soon as you start to go around the curve, then straighten out and then turn the other way to follow the bottom curve.

Start at the beak again for your second cut. As you are turning the wood, push slightly to feed into the blade.

When using a bandsaw, it is better to have smooth cuts. So don’t start and stop because you are getting off of the line. Just try to even it out. Go slow and don’t make abrupt movements.

And if you are new, remember that practice makes perfect. The more you do it, the better you get!

Be sure your fingers are clear of the blade at all times. At the very end, I move my hand to the back of the table to pull on the bird to get the last cut through.

Step 3: Sand wood bird

The last step is to sand. A bandsaw leaves little ridges on curves so we’re going to sand those smooth.

The best sander for this job, in my opinion, is a standup belt sander. Utilize the curves on the belt to sand the inside curves of the wood bird. 

Use the disc sander to sand the outside curves of the bird. 

If you’re not used to using this type of sander, remember it takes a little time to get used to it.

Then I take the bird and sand the face and sand off those sharp edges. 

That’s it you’re all done!

Make a few so you can have a cute little nest of birds.

These can be finished in so many ways. You can whitewash with pastel spring colored paint, or paint with craft paint and sand a little to distress them.

If you like to make wood crafts, join the Wood Craft Blueprints membership for step-by-step tutorials of trending projects that you can make and sell!