Micro-Projects Updates

The scrap wood heap is a little bit thinner now, after a few months of micro projects. I am confirming also that non-draining vases for house plants really work. When my wife and I started growing them we had some doubts; not only did they survive, they are thriving. As mentioned in an earlier edition, non-draining vases have the advantage of no-spills, less water use and vacation proof for two-three weeks before watering. I recommend clear see-through vases for one reason: See water level at each watering to attain 1-2 inches from the bottom (water to 1 inch if you prefer to water weekly; 2 inches for 2-3 week watering). The roots will seek the "water table" while the root system is prevented from "drowning" (you all know what is meant by that). {This is just a group picture; they're usually at various locations around the house}

The latest micro-project and likely the last of this category is shown in the second photo below. That will be the featured project here using an entirely different technique.

The vase will seem to float between four pillars

The X-frame will hold the four pillars together and serves as the platform to support the vase.

The four tips of the X-frame will be cut as tenons to fit snugly into angle mortises on the pillars. The photos best explain the idea.

Wood Fixing Plastic

Seldom is wood used to fix a household appliance unless an opportunity presents itself. Photo below shows the plastic handle on our dishwasher cracked. Epoxy alone will not be enough to fix it.

With a piece of paper I traced a pattern as shown. I used a piece of marble wood from the scrap heap

A coping saw made quick work of cutting the outline from the pattern

Light chisel work and sand paper smoothed the surface.

Two coats of polyurethane

Epoxy and light clamping with masking tape secured the piece until the glue dried completely

The reinforced plastic handle is now stronger than the original

Hexagonal Planter 3G

     As polygons go, I have an affinity to the hexagon, as do bees with their honeycomb structures. What I am highlighting here is a minimalist method of hanging the planter to a center post or any vertical, as shown in the first photo.

 

Tilting the saw blade to 60 deg. rips the material to make the hexagon walls

Cutting to equal pieces

Tip: Packaging tape secures the pieces before "folding' them over for the glue uyp.

This will become clearer with the next photos. The idea is to dovetail the hanger to one side of the hexagon

The bracket shown here will be attached to one of the six walls of the hexagon

The older version was to use this method of supporting the planters

The old version will be replaced by a very compact hanger shown at the center of the photo

Gluing up the brackets

Hangers with pocket holes

This is how the bracket and hanger will work. 14 deg. dovetail will slide the planter up and down securely

Tip: Cutting the bottom for the hexagon requires precise measurement for a perfect fit when the six sides are assembled. The bottom will have to be slightly larger (1/4 inch per side in this case) than the interior area of the hexagon. I just discovered an accurate way to do it. See the drawing below. Start with one side (in bold, 3-3/4 long). Extend two perpendicular lines. With a protractor or a 60/30 triangle draw two lines extending diagonally upwards, intersecting the two vertical lines. Simple geometry will do the rest. 

Each planter will slide up and down from the hanger

8 Inch Knife Stand