Scrabble Love Tiles

Skill Level: Beginner

Make a thoughtful gift for your valentine this year, and spell out a special message in giant, wooden Scrabble tiles.

This quick DIY project is great for using up scrap pieces of wood and is easily customizable to create other words or monograms.

Thing’s You’ll Need

  • 6 feet of 1-by-8 white pine board or scrap wood
  • BLACK+DECKER STSS025 Sander
  • BLACK+DECKER KS701EK Jigsaw
  • Coarse- (80) and fine-grit (120) sandpaper
  • Jigsaw blade
  • Large clamps (two for each tile)
  • Carpenter's square or straightedge
  • Pencil
  • Letter and letter value printouts (for your word of choice)
  • Wood glue
  • Black acrylic paint
  • Small paintbrushes
  • Clear spray varnish

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1. Measure and Cut the Wood Squares 

Use a carpenter’s square to measure and mark eight 7 1/4-inch-square pieces of wood. Cut out the squares with your BLACK+DECKER Jigsaw. If you're using scrap lumber, simply measure the width of the board and mark square pieces for your tiles.

Step 2. Glue and Clamp the Square Pieces 

If you're using 1-by-8 lumber to create your scrabble tiles, gluing the pieces together will create a thicker block of wood that can stand upright easily. Apply wood glue to two square pieces, press them together, and adjust until all of their edges are flush. Apply two clamps to each block and allow them to dry overnight.

Step 3. Sand the Glued Tiles 

Sand the edges and faces of each tile smoothly with the BLACK+DECKER Sander, taking particular care to keep the edges square and to grind down any unevenness resulting from cutting and gluing. Start with coarse (80-grit) sandpaper, and then finish with fine (120-grit) sandpaper.

Step 4. Trace and Paint Scrabble Letters and Numbers

Print out the letters (400 font size) and letter values (96 font size) to complete your word of choice (this example uses the word “love”). Center each printout on a tile. Letters should be 1 to 2 inches from the top and bottom of the tiles. Trace the letters by pressing firmly with a sharp pencil to etch the letters into the wood. Remove the paper and use a straightedge to follow the etch lines with your pencil. Use the same method to trace small point numbers in the bottom, right-hand corner of the tile. Point numbers should be about 1 inch tall and 1/2 inch from the corner edges. Apply black paint with a small paintbrush to your letters and shapes. Work in small strokes to keep the edges clean and straight.

Tip: Arial works great as the classic Scrabble font. Letters should appear in all-caps. You can find a complete Scrabble letter values chart online.

Step 5. Complete

Apply a few coats of clear spray varnish to seal your Scrabble tiles if desired. Or, leave the sanded wood unfinished to achieve the authentic look of the classic board game. Set up your Scrabble tiles on a shelf as a sweet, handmade surprise for your valentine.