These votive candle holders started out as a simple piece of birch firewood. I resawed and planed the log down to a clean, rectangular blank measuring roughly 2” × 4” × 16”.
From that single block, I made a set of three candle holders. The votive candles each sit in a stopped hole drilled with a Forstner bit. After drilling, I cross-cut the block into three individual pieces, carefully measuring to ensure that the stopped hole would be perfectly centered in each one.
⚠️ CAUTION
This page is not meant as a tutorial or a guide to using woodworking tools. It is simply a description of how I made this project. The reader is responsible for learning how to use their equipment safely and should never attempt any technique they are not comfortable with. For more information, please read the full disclaimer.
Be safe.
Cutting the Cove
One of the most interesting parts of this project was cutting a decorative cove in the top surface. To do this, I used the table saw in an unconventional way — running the block diagonally across the blade between two custom guide rails:
- I planed the edges of two boards flat and clamped them diagonally and parallel on the table saw, 4” apart (matching the width of the block).
- The guide rails were adjusted so the blade was centered between them.
- I raised the blade slightly and passed the block between the rails and over the blade.
- Then I flipped the block end-for-end and repeated the pass to keep the cut symmetrical.
- I continued raising the blade incrementally and repeating the process until the cove reached the desired depth.
This technique requires patience and precision, but it yields a beautiful result.
Finish
After machining, I sanded progressively from P80 to P220 grit, then I applied a hand-rubbed oil-wax finish, bringing out the natural tones of the birch.
I made several sets of these candle holders in different sizes. The set pictured below has been sold, but I still have a smaller set in my living room.
Photos
Reflections
I really like how these turned out — they’re simple, but elegant, which nicely reflects their humble origin as a piece of firewood. They were fun to make, especially using the table saw in such an unconventional way. Projects like this remind me how satisfying it can be to take a scrap piece of wood and turn it into something worth keeping.