This project was built and designed by David from dk builds. It’s a fast and creative woodworking idea that produces dozens of giftable candle holders from just one 2×4.
Perfect for holidays, markets, or thoughtful year-round gifts, these small tea light holders are both practical and easy to produce. With a clever batching process and minimal material cost, this is one of the most efficient projects you can add to your woodworking lineup.
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The Origin of the Idea
David credits the inspiration for this build to DIY Montreal, who previously showcased a similar project. He modified the approach to make the process faster and more repeatable, focusing on batch production without losing the handmade feel.
Instead of crafting each piece individually, David cuts and drills most of the components while the board is still whole. This makes it easier to manage cuts, maintain consistency, and speed up the overall workflow.
Tools and Materials You’ll Need
The supplies list is simple but thoughtful. You’ll need a standard 2×4 board (8 feet in length), a pack of tea light candles, and some bulk matchboxes. These elements come together to form a compact and useful gift that looks great on shelves, tables, or countertops.
On the tool side, you’ll want access to a miter saw or table saw, a Forstner bit for drilling candle recesses, and either a drill press or hand drill. Sandpaper or a sanding block is helpful for finishing, and clear Danish oil is used to protect and enhance the final look.
Cutting and Milling the 2×4
To start, David cuts the 2×4 in half to make it easier to manage at the saw. Though not strictly necessary, he then mills each piece to square it up and clean the surface, which helps give the final product a more polished appearance.
If you prefer a rustic finish or don’t have a planer or jointer, you can skip this step. The project still works well with the natural surface of the board intact.
Grooving for the Matchbox
One clever feature of David’s version is the inclusion of a matchbox slot. Using a table saw, he cuts a groove along the side of the board where each individual holder will later be sliced.
This slot is just deep enough to hold the box securely while still allowing it to slide in and out. A feather board is used for added safety and consistent pressure while guiding the board across the blade.
Laying Out the Candle Placement
With the groove in place, David marks where the tea light recesses will go. These are spaced so that each individual candle holder has its own designated spot for both the matchbox and the candle.
Careful attention is paid to the candle depth—just deep enough to keep it secure, but not so low that it’s hard to remove. He also avoids overlapping into the matchbox channel to maintain functionality.
Slicing Into Individual Holders
Once all grooves and recess points are marked, the 2×4 is sliced into 40 small blocks. David starts with a crosscut sled but switches to a miter saw after running into issues with his table saw—either method works fine for consistent cuts.
Each cut block now has a groove for the matchbox and a marked location for candle drilling. This pre-layout method keeps everything aligned and helps avoid repetitive measuring.
Drilling Candle Recesses
Using a Forstner bit, David drills out shallow holes for the tea light candles. If you don’t have a drill press, a handheld drill works as long as you control the depth.
Painter’s tape wrapped around the drill bit is a handy trick to ensure you stop at the correct depth. The bit size should match the diameter of the tea light for a snug fit.
Sanding and Finishing
Each holder is sanded lightly to remove rough edges and splinters. A soft edge on each block improves the look and feel, especially for gift-giving.
To finish, David dips each piece into clear Danish oil, which highlights the wood grain while offering moisture resistance. The oil soak method also speeds up finishing for large batches.
A Quick and Thoughtful Gift Option
These candle holders make excellent handmade gifts. They’re compact, attractive, and easy to personalize with woodburning, carving, or decorative paint.
By batching the build, you can produce 40 gifts from a single board in just a few hours. Whether you’re prepping for a craft fair or stocking up for the holidays, this project delivers excellent value for your time and material.
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