Boo-tiful Wooden Ghosts

Whether you're a master of fright or just looking to add a sprinkle of whimsy, these easy to make wooden ghosts will punch up your scare factor this Halloween.

Materials Needed:

• Wood: Head on over to Saratoga Joinery’s lumber room to pick your favorite.
• Sandpaper: For smoothing edges.
• Wood paint or stain: White for the ghosts and black for eyes and details. 
• Paintbrushes: For applying paint.

Machines Used: 

Bandsaw: For cutting the wood into shapes. Our shop has two great bandsaws to choose from!

Experience Level: 

Beginner

Instructions:

1. Design Your Ghosts:

Sketch the shape of your ghost figurines on paper. If you’re more of a tracer than a free-hand artist, a quick internet search and a printer should do the trick!

2. Prepare the Wood:

Cut your wood into manageable pieces if needed. You may use a miter saw or a table saw to do this. Tip: before you buy wood, check our scrap wood bins! There are always some treasures in there and its all free for members!

3. Transfer Your Design:

Draw your ghost shapes directly onto the wood using a pencil. You can use a template if you have one (this is where the internet search & printer comes into play).

4. Set Up the Bandsaw:

Adjust the bandsaw for the thickness of your wood. Ensure that the blade is sharp and suitable for cutting curves. Tip: if you’re unsure, ask any of our Safety Coordinators for help. It’s what they’re there for!

5. Cut the Ghost Shapes:

Carefully feed the wood into the bandsaw, following the outline of your ghost design. Take your time, especially around curves, to ensure clean cuts!

6. Sand the Edges:

Once the ghost shapes are cut out, use sandpaper to smooth the edges and surfaces. Focus on removing any rough spots to give a polished look. Tip: we have a wide variety of power and hand sanders to choose from, but the best choice here will depend on your specific project. Ask a Safety Coordinator if you’re unsure!

7. Paint the Ghosts:

Head upstairs to our Bench Room, grab your low-VOC, water-based paint (hint, hint) and brush a coat of white paint onto your ghost! Let it dry completely, then add a second coat if needed for better coverage. 

8. Add Eyes and Details:

Once the white paint is dry, use black paint to add eyes and any other facial features. You can also add details like a mouth or other spooky embellishments! 

10. Enjoy!

Put them in your yard! On your mantle! In your car! In your office! On your neighbor’s front porch! We’re not here to tell you what to do!

Safety Tips:

• Always wear safety goggles! Eyes are important. 
• Sanding creates lots of dust. Masks are recommended!
• Make sure your workspace is clean and organized to prevent accidents.
• Keep Ghostbusters on speed dial in case ghosts become sentient.

Have fun!

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