Compendium of Wooden Wand Making Techniques

COMPENDIUM OF

Wooden WandMaking TECHNIQUES

Mastering the Enchanting
Art of Carving, Turning,
and Scrolling Wands

ontents

Wand Wood Properties & Personalities. . 10
Wand Inspiration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Wand Sketchbook. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

The Wands

Hand Carving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Novitiate Wand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Dawn Frost Wand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Tenderfoot Wand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Roots of the Mountain Wand. . . . . . . . . . . 52
Earthsong Wand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

36 40 46 52 58

Scroll Saw. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Luminous Illusions Wand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Diluvium Wand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Transfiguration Wand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Cloak of Shadows Wand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Oracle’s Wand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

70 76 82 86 92

104 110 114 118 122

The Wands

Turning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Ancient Voices Wand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Arcana Wand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Alchemist’s Wand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Adventurer’s Boon Wand . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Secret Compartment Wand . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

134 142 150 158 166

Power Carving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Faerie Footsteps Wand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Susurration Wand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Noctambulant Wand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Blessed Bower Wand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Beastcharmer Wand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166

Wizard’s Sketchbook . . . . . . . 179
Wandmakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

Wand Wood Properties
& Personalities

Every project and woodworker is different. Many of the projects in this book include recommendations for types of wood to
use, but you don’t have to follow those to the letter—you can choose a wand wood to suit the magical purpose of the wand or
the person who will be wielding it! Read on for a selection of woods and their “magical” properties.

Aspens, like these quaking aspens in Utah, often grow in large groves and show stunning fall colors.

Alder Ash
Although moderately soft, pliable, and understated in color, Hardy and dense with a pronounced grain similar to oak,
this hardwood is not for the faint of heart! Best suited to ash meshes best with wizards who are strong but don’t like
optimists with a keen sense for other people’s emotional to brag about it. Integrity, bravery, and patience are all
needs, alder wands enhance good judgment in those qualities found in owners of these wands.
wielding them.
Aspen
Apple Pale and springy, this material is well suited to a variety of
Dense and tough with a vibrant grain, apple wood is the finishes. Likewise, the aspen wand is drawn to those with
perfect choice for creative wizards filled with a zest for strong communication skills who adapt well to a range of
life. If you find yourself feeling particularly generous and circumstances. Diplomatic and quick on their feet, these
effusive while casting a spell, this may be the wand bringing wizards often find their mediation and public speaking
your best qualities to the surface. skills strengthened in aspen’s presence.

10 Wand Wood Properties & Personalities

Wand Inspiration HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and ©Warner Bros.
Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights ©JKR.
What wizard doesn’t
need a little inspiration HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and ©Warner Bros.
now and then? As you Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights ©JKR.
consider which project
to try first in this
volume, let this gallery
of magical instruments
motivate you to design
your own original
wand. All wands
pictured next to the
famous film props can
be found in this book.

Hermione Granger’s wand is vine wood with a dragon heartstring core, 103/4". She uses
it to conjure a portable blue flame at several points throughout the series.

Luna Lovegood’s wand is made of an unknown material. Ollivander, the famous wandmaker,
designs it to thank her for cheering him up during his imprisonment at Malfoy Manor in Book 7.

14

HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and ©Warner Bros.
Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights ©JKR.

HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and ©Warner Bros.
Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights ©JKR.

Ron Weasley’s wand is willow with a unicorn hair core, 14". He uses it to fix an office Harry Potter’s wand is holly with a phoenix tail feather core, 11". He uses it to defeat a monstrous
plagued by rain in Book 7. troll in Book 1.

To order Harry Potter Wands - please visit www.noblecollection.com

15

HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and ©Warner Bros.
Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights ©JKR.

Albus Dumbledore’s wand is elder with a thestral tail
hair core, 15". He uses it to rescue Harry from Voldemort
in the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic in Book 5.

Voldemort’s wand is yew with a phoenix tail feather core, 131/2". He uses it to duel
with Harry in the graveyard after coming back to power in Book 4.

HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and ©Warner Bros.
Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights ©JKR.

16

Wand Sketchbook

Once you’ve mastered the projects in this book, use Wand Name
the following pages to design enchanting wands Wood Type
of your very own! Combine the handle of one Length
project with the end of another for a brand new Core
shape, or use your imagination to create an entirely Special Skills
unique design. After you commit to a design, give
your wand a name, and write down its defining
qualities; for tips on choosing the wand wood best
suited to your personality, go to page 10.

20

Wand Name
Wood Type
Length
Core
Special Skills

21

Hand Carving
Wands

JAMES MILLER

arving by hand has existed as
an art form and as a pastime
for thousands of years. Carvers often
describe the process as expressive,
relaxing, and even therapeutic; there
is something particularly satisfying
about creating something using just
your hands and simple tools. To get
started with this age-old tradition,
all you really need is a single carving
knife. From this simple tool, you can
translate endless ideas into beautiful
wooden objects. With some slight
adjustments, all of the hand-carved
wands in this book could be carved
with just one knife, but adding in
tools such as gouges and V-tools can
open up even more possibilities.
Once you become comfortable with
your carving tools and familiarize
yourself with the feeling of carving
into wood grain, you will be ready to
venture into the realm of all sorts of
intricate details and majestic forms.
But be warned: those who travel the
path of the woodcarver rarely return.

Basic Cuts

Here are some common carving terms that I will use
throughout the projects.

Stop cut: a cut made directly into the wood rather than
along the surface, used to create a stopping point for
subsequent cuts so the grain does not split. This can be the
first step of a V-shaped cut (see below).

Slicing cut: a standard knife cut in which the blade is
pushed or pulled along the surface of the wood, as with
peeling a carrot. It can be made away from or toward the
carver, depending on preference and positioning.

V-shaped cut: a two-part cut requiring the carver to cut in Sweeping cut: like a slicing cut, but with a twist of the wrist
from one direction, back the knife out, and then cut in at an to create a curved, concave surface.
opposing angle to remove a V-shaped section of wood.

Hand Carving Wands 35

Hand Carving Wands Tenderfoot Wand

A WAND OF SLOW AND STEADY WORK

envision this wand would be used in deep, dark
forests by practitioners of ancient druidic magic.
Unlike the other hand-carved wands, it is not cylindrical,
but rather blade-shaped and curved. Its decoration is created
via woodburning, which I cannot help but imagine would
jump-start its magical powers with a bit of a spark. The
pommel (the very top of the handle) of the wand is modeled
after a snail shell. Although real snail shells are mostly
round on one side with a swirl protruding from the other, I
have decided to mirror the swirl on both sides to keep them
visually even—twice the spiral, twice the power.

Materials & Tools

Materials Tools

• Wood, such as black cherry, • Carving knife with a
21/2" x 3/4" (6.4 x 1.9cm): 2" (5.1cm) straight blade
15" (38.1cm) long
• V-tool: 1/4" (6mm) 30°
• Sandpaper: 120-grit straight paring

• Finish of choice: wood polish/ • Micro gouge: 1/8" (3mm)
conditioner, mineral oil, or
linseed oil; I used linseed oil • Saw, such as a band saw or
on this project handsaw (coping saw, pull
saw, etc.)
• Lint-free rag
• Woodburning tool

• Old toothbrush (if applying
wax finish)

• Rubber gloves (if applying
oil finish)

• Pencil

46

1 Prepare the blank. Trace the pattern onto one side of the blank. Next, saw around the perimeter. After the waste is removed, draw
a centerline down the front and back of the blank. Then, saw wood evenly away from each side of the shaft to narrow it and alleviate
some carving. Once the blank is sawn, sketch on some lines to denote where the handle wrapping ends on each side.

2 Remove all corners. Use your knife to begin slicing all over 3 Give the snail pommel its basic shape. Round the snail
the wand. Remove all corners, eliminate most saw marks, and shell–shaped pommel. Separate it from the handle by stop-
begin to refine the overall shape. cutting around it and carving up to it from the middle of the
handle. As you are doing so, narrow the snail shell so that it looks
more like a shell than a ball.

48 Hand Carving Wands



Photocopy at 125%

14 Texture the morels and shaft. Use a medium-sized small gouge to carve 63
shallow channels up the non-skirt parts of the shaft. Then, using three
different small gouges corresponding to the sizes of the three morel balls (small,
medium, and large), remove small circles of wood all over their entire surfaces. These
impressions will add great texture and shadows and will also soak up more finish,
thus slightly darkening even more. Finally, finish the wand using the product of
your choice.

Hand Carving Wands

Scroll Saw Wands

AL BAGGETTA

ven if you’re new to scrolling, you’ve
probably encountered scroll-sawn
creations before without realizing it. The
scroll saw is a tremendously versatile tool,
boasting wire-thin blades ideal for precision
work. It cuts by means of a vertical blade
that moves up and down at a high speed
through a hole in the tool’s table. To use
it, you simply flip on the switch and guide
the wood forward into the blade along the
pattern outline. For compound cuts, which
are used to make most of the scroll-sawn
wands in this section, you cut the shape on
two adjacent sides of the blank, one after
another, to create a 3D piece.
Quiet and compact with a low risk for
injury, the scroll saw is an ideal tool for
beginners in woodworking. You can use
it to cut rough blanks for carving, add
delicate fretwork details to a portrait, create
puzzles and toys for kids, or even make your
own line of elegant wooden jewelry. This
tool is such a breeze to pick up, you’ll be
enchanting family and friends with your
newfound skills by the next witching hour!

Cutting Wand Blanks to Size

Generally speaking, experimental test wand using an inexpensive soft wood
such as pine, or even standard Douglas fir or hemlock
because wands are long and 2x4s used in home construction, which are easy to find
at your local home improvement store. Because a 2x4 is
slim, the blanks you will actually 11/2" x 31/2" (3.8 x 8.9cm), you can typically cut three
1" (2.5cm) wand blanks with the width of the board.
need are also long and slim.
Using pine, fir, or hemlock is inexpensive, but that does
Each of the scroll-sawn not mean they are bad woods! You can definitely use these
woods for your final wands, especially if you are going
wands in this book is cut to stain or paint them. But for the highest-quality and
sturdiest wands, you will want to use hardwoods.
from a 1" (2.5cm) square
Standard 2x4s usually have the edges rounded over.
blank that is about Because the actual wand is going to come from the internal
part of the wood, not the top or sides, you usually don’t
14" (35.6cm) long, with have to worry about these rounded edges. However, you
should be careful about knots. Look over the boards before
the final wand measuring purchasing them to try to avoid including any knots in your
wands. There’s nothing worse in setting up a blank and
about 12"–13" (30–33cm) finding a knot right in the middle of the pattern.

long. This is not a Rounded board edges aren’t a
common size for store- problem when cutting wands.
bought wood blanks. If

you cannot find this size at

your local wood dealer or online, or simply prefer to cut your

own, blanks can easily be cut to size from 1" (2.5cm) boards

on a table saw.

Before you cut a finished wand from a potentially

expensive piece of wood, you may want to cut an

Step-by-Step Cutting a Blank

1 Cut the wood into a 2 Set your table saw fence to cut a 3 Turn the piece so that the
14" (35.6cm) length. 1" (2.5cm) width and make your first cut off 11/2" (3.8cm) side meets the
the 31/2" (8.9cm) side. The piece you cut should end blade of your saw and cut off the
up being 11/2" x 1" (3.8 x 2.5cm). extra 1/2" (1.3cm) to produce your first
1" (2.5cm) square blank.

4 Repeat to cut
two more
blanks to get the
most bang for
your buck.

68 Scroll Saw Wands



4 Assemble the wand. Cut the 1/4" (0.6cm) dowel to Photocopy at 125%
the length you would like the shaft to be plus about
1/2" (1.3cm) for the portion that will be embedded in the hilt. Put
a few drops of wood glue on the end of the dowel that is going
into the hilt and press the dowel into the hole, twisting it back and
forth to get a snug fit.

5 Round the tip. A rounded tip is much better than the 91
original squared-off dowel end. Use sandpaper or a sanding
wheel to do the job, rotating the shaft until you are happy with
the shape.

Scroll Saw Wands

Turning Wands

BARRY GROSS

agic wands are a fun, easy turning
project for both the beginner and
experienced turner. Each of these wands will
be made by spindle turning, which is one
kind of turning that can be done on a lathe.
Spindle turning on a lathe works by fixing
a piece of material (in the case of this book,
wood) between the two ends of the lathe (the
headstock and tailstock) and rotating the
material at a high speed while using hand
tools to shape it. The material being shaped
is called the workpiece. Turning on a lathe
allows you to create delightfully smooth,
radially symmetrical shapes on your wands
for an effect that is truly elegant and magical.
Turning on a lathe allows for speedy
roughing out, even on dense hardwoods
that would be nearly impossible to hand
carve. You can use this tool to create a
variety of rounded wooden items, from chair
legs to wine stoppers to salt and pepper
shakers. What’s more, you can rely on the
lathe’s powerful revolutions, rather than
your own effort alone, to provide a smooth
and even sand—as well as a shiny, well
burnished finish.

Tools A chuck is a device that will hold your workpiece in place
while you are turning. There are generally three basic types:
An example of a mini lathe, the perfect size for turning your wands. those used for spindle turning, those used for faceplate
Lathes can be broken down into two main types: turning, and those used for specialty turning. Drive spurs
freestanding and bench-mounted. All lathes have a few are generally used for spindle turning, which is turning in
common parts, such as a headstock (where one end of the which the workpiece is held between the headstock and the
workpiece is mounted), a tailstock (where the other end of tailstock with the grain running parallel to the lathe bed.
the workpiece is mounted), and a tool rest (where the hand This type of mounting device fits into the headstock spindle.
tool rests while it is being used on the workpiece). How each All of the wands in this book are spindle turned, so this is
lathe is manufactured, where the controls are mounted, how the type of chuck you’ll need. At the tail end of the lathe,
powerful the motor is, what type of steel is used, and other you’ll want to use a live tail center.
features differ from product to product and manufacturer
to manufacturer. Roughing gouge

Lathes come in different sizes. The smallest that Skew chisel
will work for the wands in this book is a mini lathe.
Mini lathes have a swing of about 10" (25.4cm)— Spindle gouge
that’s a 5" (12.7cm) radius—and a short bed,
14"–18" (35.6–20.3cm) between centers (perfect for a wand), Parting tool
with a 1/2-horsepower motor. These lathes are great to learn
on. They can be mounted on a bench or on their own metal
stand and cost about $400.

A drive spur (left) and live tail center (right) Besides the lathe itself, you will need four basic hand
tools to create the wands in this book. These tools can either
Ensure that the drive spur and live tail be high-speed steel or carbide-tipped tools.
center are aligned when you place them. • A roughing gouge removes large amounts of wood quickly,

so it is used to take the square wood blank and make it
round. It can also be used to make coves and beads.
• A skew chisel is used to smooth out the wood. When
a skew is used in the bevel-rubbing mode (and not as a
scraper), it will allow you to start sanding the wood later
at a much higher sanding grit, because it smooths as
it cuts.
• A spindle gouge is used to make beads, coves, and other
decorative features.
• A parting tool is used to make grooves that delineate
beads and to part off the wand at the end.

100 Turning Wands



1 Shape the wand. Mark the center and mount the blank 2 Reduce the handle. Reduce the handle area to a little over
as described in steps 1–2 of the Ancient Voices Wand. Start 1" (2.5cm) in thickness—the secret compartment will be
turning the blank at about 600 rpm with a roughing gouge. Get 7/8" (2.2cm) in diameter. This will give you a little over 1/8" (0.3cm) of
the blank rounded and shape the handle and shaft of the wand, thickness for the walls of the handle.
gradually tapering it toward the tip. Continue shaping the wand as
desired using your various tools; for more guidance, see steps 3–8
of the Ancient Voices Wand. Make sure the handle area is at least
4" (10.2cm) in length.

3 Cut a tenon. Using a parting tool, cut a tenon on the 4 Change chucks. Mount the blank into a four jaw chuck using
shaft portion of the wand, just below the handle. Cut the tailstock as support, making sure it is on center to avoid
it to 5/16" (0.8cm) wide with a thickness of 7/8" (2.2cm); use any wobbling.
a caliper to double-check the thickness. Be sure to avoid
accidentally taking off too much wood—you can always
take more wood off, but you can never put wood back!

124 Turning Wands

Power Carving
Wands

TAMERA SEEVERS

ower carving involves the use of motorized
equipment that rotates a shaft with a cutting
burr mounted on the end. Because the rotating
burr grinds away wood in a very controlled manner,
power carving allows you to create delicate designs
and intricate details that would be extremely
difficult to carve with traditional tools. It’s a
versatile method that allows you to achieve a lot
with just one tool and a handful of interchangeable
bits. You can remove excess wood and rough out the
shape of your carving with large, fast-working bits.
You can carve precise lines that are thick or delicate.
You can easily relieve different areas, making an
eye, a flower, or another feature pop out. Regardless
of what you’re doing, power carving allows you to
minimize physical effort and work quickly, as long
as you have good control over the tool. It’s a craft
that anyone can learn to do and is so fast, you’ll be
making magic in no time.

Advantages

• Removes wood quickly and precisely
• Minimal splintering and fracturing
• Provides greater control than knives

or gouges when carving fine detail
• Provides quick and controlled sanding
• Great for carvers who have difficulty

with edge tools (such as hand carving
knives) due to arthritis, etc.

Bit Chart Photocopy at 125%

Bit Bit # Description Shaft Dia.
Bit A
Bit B Fine-grit carbide ball- 1/8" (3mm)
Bit C nose cylinder
Bit D
Bit E 703 Tapered carbide cutter 1/16" (2mm)
Bit F
701 Small carbide tapered flat- 1/16" (2mm)
end cylinder

368 Small medium-grit 1/16" (2mm)
diamond football

368 Large medium-grit 1/16" (2mm)
diamond football

Sanding round 1/8" (3mm)

Trace one Trace one Trace two

144 Power Carving Wands

1 Cut the perimeter. Trace the pattern onto adhesive paper 2 Round the edges. Using the side of Bit A and the flexible
and adhere it to the wood blank. Alternatively, you could shaft rotary tool, carve off the sharp edges, starting at the
sketch it on directly or transfer the design using graphite paper top of the wand. At the top of the wand, shave material away to
and a pencil. Use a scroll saw or coping saw to cut away excess the center point on both sides. Then carve off the sharp edges
material up to the pattern line. down the entire shaft of the wand. Go against the rotation to take
material off more quickly, but at the end of the shaft, go with the
rotation—doing so will help avoid skipping and losing control
when the side of the bit hits the end of the shaft.

3 Smooth out bumps and roughly sand. Using the side of 4 Trace and adhere the leaves. Trace one each of the
Bit A, lightly move the bit back and forth to gently remove curved leaf patterns and two of the straight leaf. Adhere
any remaining bumps. Then change to Bit F and run it back and the patterns to the handle of the wand. Make sure the curved tip
forth lightly across the whole wand, using the side of the bit. matches the curved side of the wand. Use clear packaging tape to
Finally, sweep a toothbrush back and forth across the wand to further secure the pattern.
remove sawdust so that the self-adhesive pattern paper will stick
to it.

Power Carving Wands 145

Roots of the Earthsong Wand
Mountain Wand

Photocopy at 125% Photocopy at 125%

181

Beastcharmer Wand

Photocopy at 125%

189

A Complete Guide to
Wand Making Magic!

onjuring up wooden wands isn’t as mysterious a process as one might
think! This book will show you just how magically easy it can be using
four different woodworking methods: hand carving, scroll sawing,
woodturning, and power carving. Featuring 20 enchanting wands any witch, wizard,
or fantasy-lover can make, Compendium of Wooden Wand Making Techniques is perfect
for any woodworker who favors one method, but is also interested in trying new ones!
Organized by technique, the book includes helpful overviews for each section so
you can get familiar with the basics before you begin, and the projects include step-
by-step instructions, clear photography, patterns, and materials and tools lists. A
unique project collection that’s the first of its kind, this book is a must-have source of
inspiration that will intrigue any woodworker with a love for all things fantasy!

A one-of-a-kind guide to mastering the art of making wooden
wands using 4 woodworking techniques: hand carving, turning,
scrolling, and power carving
Includes 20 stunning wand projects—5 for each technique
Features overviews on the basics of each woodworking technique,
plus painting and finishing tips

“The Compendium of Wooden Wand Making Techniques is a whimsical, fun quest

into wand making. From carving to turning, you’ll find a technique to suit your

skill level.”

—Logan Wittmer, Editor in Chief, Popular Woodworking magazine

“Raise your wands! Whether you are new to wooden art or have lots of years

under your belt, this book is chock-full of fun projects and ideas that will be a

hit for young, old, and in between!”

—Sara Barraclough, author of Learn to Carve Gnomes, Trolls, and Mythical
Creatures, @theclevercarver

$19.99 US | $24.99 CAN

EAN ISBN: 978-1-4971-0169-2 51999

9 781497 101692