Christmas does not have to be around the corner for you to start working on your DIY decor projects. On a practical level, it’s so much easier to start now than cram during the holidays.
Case in point: a life-size wooden Santa Claus sleigh can be done less painfully with the use of a woodworking plan, but may also have disastrous results when made haphazardly.
For this project, prepare a band and miter saw, measuring tape, jigsaw, sandpaper, square, paintbrush, and a pocket hole jig.
You also need wood glue, light brown and bright red paint, a drill, 3/4″ x 4×8″ sheet of veneer plywood, 1/4″ pocket hole screws, a ribbon, 16×1″ galvanized brands, black paint (exterior), and dark brown paint.
The sleigh shall be created using the following measurements or cuts of plywood:
- Stiles – 4 at 3/4″ x 2-1/2″ x 11″
- Rails – 2 at 3/4″ x 2-1/2″ x 11-½”
- Stretchers – 2 at 3/4″ x 1-1/2″ x 16″
- Runners – 2 at 3/4″ x 5-1/2″ x 36″
- Back – 1 at 3/4″ x 10-3/4″ x 17-1/2″
- Sides – 2 at 3/4″ x 10-3/4″ x 26-5/8″
- Front – 1 at 3/4″ x 3-1/4″ x 17-1/2″
- bottom – 1 at 3/4″ x 17-1/2″ x 25-1/8″
- Divider – 1 at 3/4″ x 5″ x 17-1/2″
Steps:
- Use a guide or a pattern for the sleigh. This is mostly available online, although you can try drawing one for yourself. Use this pattern as you cut the stiles. Next, drill pocket holes into the stiles.
- You can also download or create a pattern for the rails. Essentially, these guides are important prior to building the sleigh. Use the patterns to know where else to drill holes and to position the rails.
- Attach the rails using wood glue. Secure them with pocket hole screws.
- Mark the runners using your guide, then with a jigsaw, cut these out. Paint the runners black and leave them out to dry.
- Carefully place the rails 5 inches from the runners. Attach the stiles using pocket hole screws and glue.
- Attach the stretchers to the inside edge of the rails.
- To make the top part of the wooden sleigh, mark the sides of the plywood and cut them out with a jigsaw. Paint the wood in red. Drill three holes on the ends of the back and front parts of the wood.
- Screw the back flush with the back inside edge of the sides. Do the same for the front inside edge.
- Drill three pocket holes on the bottom part of the sleigh. The holes must be placed apart, but at an equal distance. Glue the bottom flush to the bottom inside edge. Secure with screws.
- Match the length and height of the divider to the measurements of the assembled sleigh. The divider must be about 4 inches front the front. Glue the divider to the sides of the sleigh.
- Put the top assembly 5 inches from the bottom assembly. Attach with glue and screws.
- Add other decorative elements and apply a glossy coat or varnish on the wood to protect the paint. Do note that all edges and surfaces of the sleigh must have been smoothened out with a sandpaper before they are painted.
Any professional woodworker would advise you to follow these procedures for a life-size wooden Santa Claus sleigh to ensure accurate measurements and an error-free end product.
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