PLANT STAND 1

     Thanks for joining us today here at Fresh's Workshop. If you are a first-time visitor, WELCOME. If you have been here before, THANKS for coming back.

This is the spot where we build and repair all kinds of cool stuff, along with making a ton of saw dust. (Man Glitter.)

During our last session in the Workshop, we planted a Green Stalk with our newly acquired strawberry plants. 

VERTICAL GARDEN  (Click on the link to see that episode) 

Before we begin today's project, let's take a moment and talk about shop safety:

Be sure to read, understand and follow all of the safety rules that come with your power tools. Knowing how to use your power tools properly will greatly reduce the risk of personal injury. And remember this, there is no greater safety rule than to wear safety glasses.

Today, we are going to build a stand that has many uses. 

Have you ever worked on a project, and it led to another project that you had not thought about?

When we finished up the Seed Starting Stand we discovered that our Mother In Law plant would not fit. (It was too tall)

We have had that plant for over 20 years, and it has gone through many freezes (for Florida) and was generally ignored. But the damn thing keeps bouncing back so we decided to give it a better home.

 Actually, we separated it and another one sits on the outside courtyard.

So, I thought I would make a plant stand.

However, I had the perfect plant stand in the living room that we were using as a stand between our chairs.

We were using the stand as a repository for our many remote controls. And my afternoon cocktail.

It was a stand my father made 40 years ago and would be perfect for the bedroom since it is made from maple.

In thinking about that plant stand I realized that I still had the remnants from a stand I made years ago out of Florita Heart Pine.

Back in the old shop,

I made a ton of these planters and gifted them. We kept one, but when we moved, we did not have room for it, so I tore it apart and moved on with my life.

Since I save EVERYTHING, I went out to the shed and found the pieces.

It was missing one leg, and one other leg was unusable. But I did find the main parts.

So, let's make two replacement legs, and refinish the old stand.

Cutting the new legs to width.

Transferring the dado location

I nibbled out the groove in the saw, then I cut them to length.

The top of the legs are rounded.

Starting to sand the legs

Let's fix an issue. One of the new legs has and an old saw kerf at the bottom. (I did not see it when I picked out the lumber)

We cut some thin strips of wood and glued them into the saw kerf.

After the repair is trimmed and sanded

OK, there are some defects here. And the rest of the parts have leftover nail holes, etc.

When I use my sander, I attach a clean dust bag to collect the sawdust. We are going to use that sawdust to make a 'slurry'. It is simply a mix of clear glue and the sawdust. We will use it to fill in all the holes and defects. If you have deep defects, you may need more than one application. You do not want to put this on 'thick'. Take your time.

Add the glue and stir it up.

After applying with a putty knife, I let it dry then sanded it all down.

Here's how they came out.

Finishing Hint # 922

Pour just a bit of mineral spirits on a rag and wipe it on your piece.

Look for any splotches. If you see them, you need to keep sanding. 

(The mineral spirits will evaporate) Looks like I am good to go here.

Now comes the time for some finish. As always, I start with several coats of Sanding Sealer with a light sanding in between.

Finishing Hint # 923

This comes in a plastic quart container. They are a PITA to use. I take the sealer and pour it into another container.

I am also a fan of "pre finishing" It makes glue up easier.

Coat # 1

Coat # 2

Coat # 3 after a light sanding

Now we clean it off with some Mineral Spirits and spray on a coat of lacquer.

After applying the lacquer, we masked the tops of the shelves to work on the edges. They required sanding followed by an application of sanding sealer. It's important to avoid getting any of the sealer on the tops of the shelves, as they are already finished.

Once that task is completed, we can start some assembly.

I took two pieces of plywood (3x3 inches) and attached some felt to them. After placing them on the bench, I rested one leg on top.

After placing a shelf into the groove, I secured another leg on the opposite side with nails. Subsequently, I installed another shelf in the same way. Each leg was affixed following this method. Apologies for not providing a picture; I was working solo as my helper was out at the store.

We utilize our sanding dust slurry to fill the nail holes after countersinking them. Once the slurry dries, we sand everything down to achieve a smooth surface and then proceed to touch up the lacquer.

I wouldn't want to dull your senses with an image of a hefty man seated on a bench, aimlessly sliding sandpaper to and fro. Just imagine that scene with a backdrop of 60's rock & roll.

Next, we'll use 000 steel wool to buff everything out. The only task left is to attach some felt to the legs to prevent scratching the floor.

And Bob's your uncle.

This stand has many applications. As mentioned earlier in the episode, we are substituting a maple stand in the living room that was installed three years ago as a temporary solution.

We placed the maple stand by the bedroom window to serve as a spot for the Mother-in-Law's Tongue plant.

Plant stands are available from Fresh's Workshop. Send $799.00 per unit and I will gladly make one for you. Shipping is an extra $240.00

And that a wrap on this project. Time to move onto another exciting challenge. 

Coming up next:

Next time, join us for a straightforward project as we mount a bookcase against a wall. However, there's a light switch that could pose a challenge. Stay tuned to see our solution here at Fresh's Workshop.

Be sure to visit some of my other blogs:

AROUND THE KITCHEN  - SEE WHAT I COOK

BRIARWOOD - YOU CAN READ MY NOVELS

AUDIO CONSOLE - WHERE I AM BUILDING AN AUDIO MIXER

DISCLAIMER The information contained here is for ENTERTAINMENT purposes only. Working with woodworking tools can be dangerous. The user of these tools should have a basic knowledge of woodworking and be familiar with the proper use and safety precautions associated with these tools. Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as safety glasses, ear protection, and a dust mask. Always use the tool in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines. Always maintain a safe and organized work area.

God Speed, Mother Nature