I designed this cross to serve
as a reminder of what He did.
Creating the Layered Cross was the very beginning of my journey into home decor.
It was 2001; I was working as a carpenter by day and studying graphic design by night. I made the prototype one afternoon in the shop, and it quickly gained attention from my peers. By the end of that first week I’d received orders for five crosses, soon after that I attended my first craft show and sold more, eventually leading to the launch of this website. Since that day I’ve sold over a thousand of these crosses, with sizes ranging from 4-inches to 12-feet tall.
It’s been a fun journey, and I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way. The Layered Cross is complicated to build, but it only takes a few tools and entry-level woodworking skills. These instructions will provide clear direction so you can make this cross safely, with little hassle, and with stunning results!
I hope you find joy in the process of making a cross of your own!
Tools & Supplies
ESSENTIAL
Power Tools
- Drill Cordless is nice. This one is a great value.
- Drill bit, ⅛ inch A metal drill index is a valuable addition to your arsenal. This one is compact, sturdy, and it can be used to gauge what size hole is needed for any screw by removing the bit and inserting the screw in the opening.
- Miter saw [All crosses except for 9-inch]
- Table saw I don't own a SawStop, but I highly recommend them!
Hand Tools
- Bar clamps, 12-inches [Crosses 3-feet tall and larger] These quick grip clamps are fast and easy to use.
- Cabinet scraper These are excellent for cleaning dry glue from wooden surfaces.
- Combination square, 6-inch A compact and versatile tool, I keep a combination square in my apron at all times.
- Clamps, Spring | 2-inch [Crosses 2-feet tall and smaller]
- Pencil These are #3 pencils. The harder lead stays sharper longer.
- Sandpaper 3M Variety pack is the best way to get started.
- Tape measure This 16' tape measure is a joy to use. It's the perfect size and weight for me.
Supplies
-
Shop rags These + water make cleanup easy
- Wood Any wood will do, hardwoods work best.
- Wood glue Tightbond is my glue of choice.
- Wood Glue bottle The GluBot is an amazing glue dispenser. Its multiple tips give you a lot of control so you can evenly distribute the right amount of glue for the job.
Safety
- Dust mask Save your lungs.
- Miter gauge or sled These are for making cross-cuts on the table saw.
- Push stick Keep those digits safe!
- Safety glasses To protect those peepers!
NICE TO HAVE
Power Tools
- Belt sander
- Orbital sander I held off buying this for too long. Game-changing sander!
- Thickness planer This is totally avoidable unless you're making several crosses at once, then it's a lifesaver!
Disclaimer: Affiliate links are used in this post. I may make a small commission if you click and purchase. Thank you for your support!
The complete downloadable plans are available here.
Comments
Hey Jon, Sure, I can scale these plans to any (reasonable) size, 10 feet is easy.
i want to build this cross to be 10’ tall, can specs be changed to make this happen?