If you never frequent the “finer side” of OPC, I’d encourage you to take a look. Jocie does a great job with The Better Half ^[1], and I’m always impressed with the crafty projects she pulls off. For instance, she has an article called Pallets 101 ^[2] with a video all about how she makes those awesome pallet signs, and check out these amazing handmade leaf bowls ^[3]!

With Jocie doing more and more, we finally setup a craft desk, and one of the accessories she requested was a glue gun holder. Today’s article is about how I made a nice, simple glue gun holder for her.

Tools & Materials

Rummaging through the shop I was able to find:

• 3/4″ cabinet grade plywood
• 1 x 2″ poplar
• 1 x 4″ pine
• Old bathroom tile
• Wood glue
• Wood filler

For this project I used:

• Table saw
• Miter saw
• Palm router
• Clamps
• Sander
• Spade bit and drill

Step 1: Rip Plywood to Size

I didn’t have enough solid wood for this project so I used some plywood for the main body, and I started by ripping it down just wider than my tile. I also cut the length leaving a few inches on either side. In the end, my plywood measured about 4-1/2 x 8-1/2″.

I centered my tile and traced the outline.

Step 2: Drill Push-Hole

I measured the center of the board and drilled a small hole. The plan is to recess the tile, and this hole will make it easier to pull it out for periodic cleaning.

Step 3: Recess Tile

I set my palm router depth so that the tile would be a hair proud from the board. Starting at the push-hole, I cut the tile recess.

Next, I cleaned up the corners with my chisel. You’ll notice a few scorch marks, and that’s because I was a bit too aggressive with the router. If the edge was going to be visible, I would have started out shallower and made a few passes.

Step 4: Picture Frame

The cut edges of the plywood would have taken paint differently than the rest so I made a quick picture frame border out of poplar.

Step 5: Glue

I loaded it all up with glue and clamped it down to dry.

Step 6: Wood Filler

To make sure all the joints looked good, I quickly smeared wood filler over everything.

Step 7: Sand Smooth

I love my Rockwell X2 ^[4] (review at that link), and I used it to sand the base until everything was nice and smooth.

Step 8: Cut Holder

I used pine for making the U-shaped holder, and it measures 4-3/4 x 3-3/4″. I held the piece at the angle I wanted and used a straight-edge to mark a line. Then I used my miter saw to match the angle.

The groove is centered on the board and measures about 1-1/2 x 2-1/4″. I used the glue gun to test for fit and sanded it as needed.

Step 9: Screw in Holder

I predrilled and countersunk two holes through the base and up into the holder.

Step 10: Paint

Jocie wanted it painted a “light Tiffany blue”, and after a few coats the glue gun holder looks pretty darn good.

Finished

Let’s hope she keeps it looking nice .