Build memories this holiday season with a special holiday wreath how-to project from the RYOBI Nation Creative Team. We hope it brightens your holidays as much as it does ours!
Construct a "compass." From one of the 1x2 boards cut a 28" section. Drill one hole big enough for a screw 1" from one end. This will be your center axis. Then drill holes 8", 10", 18" and 23.75" from the center axis hold large enough to insert a pencil.
Find the exact center of the 4x4 1/2" piece of plywood. Attach the compass to the center of the plywood by driving a screw through the center axis hold. Leave the screw loose enough so your compass swivels. Insert a pencil into the 23.75" hole and draw your outside circle. Then do the same in the 8" hole to draw your inner circle. Remove the compass and attach it to the center of the 1/4" plywood and use the other two holes to mark your outside and inside circles.
Using a RYOBI Jigsaw, cut out the two rings, then sand the rough edges.
Using a RYOBI drill, create the decorative hole pattern in the 1/4" plywood ring. We used 1/2", 3/16" drill bits. You will need to use a sacrificial piece of scrap wood underneath the ring to prevent extensive splintering in the back. This will also protect your benchtop surface. Sand rough edges.
Using a RYOBI miter saw cut the 3/4" dowels into 16 three inch pieces. Place the dowels evenly and 1/2" from the edge of the inner circle. Attach the dowels to the 1/4” circle. This can be done with a stapler or a drill and screws. If using screws, drill pilot holes before driving screws.
Place the 1/4” plywood ring onto the 1/2” plywood ring. Be sure the two rings are centered with each other. Using a pencil, trace around each dowel. Place reference marks on one of the dowels and the 1/2” ring to make it easier to replace the 1/4” ring later. Remove the 1/4” ring, then mark the center of each circle. Using a 3/16” bit, drill through each mark to create pilot holes. Prime and paint each ring to your preference. Remember to transfer the dowel reference marks between coats.
Using a miter saw, cut the 1x2 boards into 10” lengths. Place them evenly onto the back of the 1/2 plywood avoiding the pilot holes drilled earlier. Attach using a stapler using 1" staples.
Place the 1/4” plywood ring onto the 1/2” plywood ring. Use the reference marks to place in the same position as before. With a helper, flip the rings over keeping the 1/4” ring in place.
Using a 1/8” bit, drill pilot holes into the dowels through the pilot holes in the 1/2” ring. Using 1.5” screws, attach the 1/2” ring to the 1/4" ring.
Cut chicken wire to a slightly smaller dimension as the 1/2” plywood. Using a stapler, attach chicken wire, leaving outside edge open to insert branches.
Wind light strands around dowels.
Insert branches and make sure they are secure.
Hang wreath, plug in and enjoy! For more Holiday How-To projects and DIY inspiration, be sure to check out RYOBI Nation!
DIY Tip: To make a smaller wreath, scale compass, dowels and number of lights down accordingly. The compass shown here will result in a 2' wreath minus the branches.
Build memories this holiday season with a special holiday wreath how-to project from the RYOBI Nation Creative Team. We hope it brightens your holidays as much as it does ours!
Construct a "compass." From one of the 1x2 boards cut a 28" section. Drill one hole big enough for a screw 1" from one end. This will be your center axis. Then drill holes 8", 10", 18" and 23.75" from the center axis hold large enough to insert a pencil.
Find the exact center of the 4x4 1/2" piece of plywood. Attach the compass to the center of the plywood by driving a screw through the center axis hold. Leave the screw loose enough so your compass swivels. Insert a pencil into the 23.75" hole and draw your outside circle. Then do the same in the 8" hole to draw your inner circle. Remove the compass and attach it to the center of the 1/4" plywood and use the other two holes to mark your outside and inside circles.
Using a RYOBI Jigsaw, cut out the two rings, then sand the rough edges.
Using a RYOBI drill, create the decorative hole pattern in the 1/4" plywood ring. We used 1/2", 3/16" drill bits. You will need to use a sacrificial piece of scrap wood underneath the ring to prevent extensive splintering in the back. This will also protect your benchtop surface. Sand rough edges.
Using a RYOBI miter saw cut the 3/4" dowels into 16 three inch pieces. Place the dowels evenly and 1/2" from the edge of the inner circle. Attach the dowels to the 1/4” circle. This can be done with a stapler or a drill and screws. If using screws, drill pilot holes before driving screws.
Place the 1/4” plywood ring onto the 1/2” plywood ring. Be sure the two rings are centered with each other. Using a pencil, trace around each dowel. Place reference marks on one of the dowels and the 1/2” ring to make it easier to replace the 1/4” ring later. Remove the 1/4” ring, then mark the center of each circle. Using a 3/16” bit, drill through each mark to create pilot holes. Prime and paint each ring to your preference. Remember to transfer the dowel reference marks between coats.
Using a miter saw, cut the 1x2 boards into 10” lengths. Place them evenly onto the back of the 1/2 plywood avoiding the pilot holes drilled earlier. Attach using a stapler using 1" staples.
Place the 1/4” plywood ring onto the 1/2” plywood ring. Use the reference marks to place in the same position as before. With a helper, flip the rings over keeping the 1/4” ring in place.
Using a 1/8” bit, drill pilot holes into the dowels through the pilot holes in the 1/2” ring. Using 1.5” screws, attach the 1/2” ring to the 1/4" ring.
Cut chicken wire to a slightly smaller dimension as the 1/2” plywood. Using a stapler, attach chicken wire, leaving outside edge open to insert branches.
Wind light strands around dowels.
Insert branches and make sure they are secure.
Hang wreath, plug in and enjoy! For more Holiday How-To projects and DIY inspiration, be sure to check out RYOBI Nation!
DIY Tip: To make a smaller wreath, scale compass, dowels and number of lights down accordingly. The compass shown here will result in a 2' wreath minus the branches.
