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Hanging Teardrop Planter

Level of Difficulty: medium
Submitted by:

Red Beard Customs

Mill Wood Base

  • Cut piece of 5/4 white oak to a length of 13 inches.
  • Using the Milescraft Grabber Plus, mill one face and side flat and perpendicular on the jointer. (Pic 1A)
  • Plane opposite face to a thickness of 1 in. (Pic 1B)
  • Using the Milescraft Grabber Pro, trim the opposite side to a width measuring 6 inches. (Pic 1C)
  • Trim overall length to 11 in. on table saw or miter saw, set aside the remainder piece for the top block. (Pic 1D)
1A
1B
1C
1D

Make Teardrop Template

  • On poster board or cardboard draw a vertical line and off this center line draw half the teardrop measuring 25 in. H by 5 1/2 in. at its widest. (Pic 2A)
  • Cut out this half of the teardrop to the center line. (Pic 2B)
  • Fold over at the center line and trace onto the other half to create symmetrical sides. (Pic 2C)
  • Cut out traced half to make the complete teardrop shape. (Pic 2D)
  • Trace the teardrop onto 1/4 in. or 1/2 in. scrap plywood. (Pic 2E)
  • Cut out plywood teardrop using a bandsaw or jigsaw, sand to final shape if needed.
  • This provides a template to form the steel teardrops.(Pic 2F)
2A
2B
2C
2D
2E
2F

Shape Wood Base Angles

  • On the poster board draw a horizontal line 3 3/4 in. from the bottom, perpendicular to the center line. (Pic 3A)
  • Line up the wood base side along the horizontal line. (Pic 3B)
  • Transfers the poster board angles onto the over lapping wood base sides. (Pic 3C)
  • Cut out angles using a bandsaw, miter saw, or table saw. (Pic 3D)
  • Use a rasp and sander to shape final angles.
3A
3B
3C
3D

Make Top Block

  • Take the earlier base cut off piece and trim to a width of 1 1/4 inches, for a piece measuring 6 in. L x 1 1/4 in. W x 1 in. H (Pic. 4A)
  • Shape block by cutting angles off top edges at 25.5 degrees 1/4 in. W x 1/2 in. H on table saw. (Pic 4B)
  • Route a 45 degree chamfer on bottom edges at 1/8 in. depth. (Pic 4C)
  • Drill three centered 1/4 in. holes in block through top to bottom; one halfway at 3 in. and 1 in. from each end. (Pic 4D) (TIP: Tape bottom of block to help prevent tear out when drilling through.)
4A
4B
4C
4D

Route Circle Inlay for Planter

  • Mark center on top of wood base.
  • Mark radius from center mark at 2 7/16 in. (Pic 5A)
  • Using the Milescraft small circle compass, follow instructions to route a circle at 1/4 in. in depth. (Pic 5B) (TIP: Use double sided tape to secure base to the work surface. Route in shallow passes working up to final depth.)
  • Switch router base plate to the Milescraft compact sub base and route out remaining center to match the 1/4 in. depth. (Pic 5C)
5A
5B
5C

Form Wall L-Bracket

  • Clamp down 1 in. x 72 in. steel flat bar with Milescraft 6 in. Bench Clamp and cut a piece 19 in. long using a hack saw or angle grinder. (Pic 6A)
  • Use a metal file to smooth ends. (Pic 6B)
  • Clamp down the piece, mark at 13 1/2 in. and bend bar over to 90 degrees, using the edge of the bench as a guide. (Pic 6C)
  • On the 13 1/2 in. length drill two 1/4 in. centered holes measuring 1 in. and 7 in. from the bottom. (Pic 6D)
  • On the 5 1/2 in. length drill one 1/4 in. centered hole 1 1/4in. from the end. (Pic 6E)
6A
6B
6C
6D
6E

Form Steel Teardrops

  • Cut two steel flat bar pieces measuring 59 1/2 in. long using a hacksaw or angle grinder. (Pic 7A)
  • Mount the plywood template to the work surface.
  • Bend the steel flat bar around the template to form the teardrop. (Pic 7B)
  • Mark and bend 1 in. from each end to create over lapping ends for securing to top block. (Pic 7C)
  • Repeat steps for making the second matching teardrop.
  • With the over lapping ends secured together mark and drill 1/4 in. centered holes to accept the 2 in. bolt when attaching to the top block. (Pic 7D)
  • Temporarily secure both teardrops to the top block with 2 in. bolts and nuts; insert the 2 7/8 in. stainless hook into the center hole of the top block with washers and nuts.
  • Hang the teardrops and set the wood base in place. (Pic 7E)
  • Level the wood base while in place, mark outside of teardrops for drilling holes to secure wood base to the teardrops.
  • Drill 1/8 in. holes at the marks and into the wood base. (Pic 7E)
7A
7B
7C
7D
7E
7F

Sand Wood and Metal Pieces

  • Disassemble all pieces.
  • Sand wood base and top block starting at 80 grit and ending at 320 grit. (Pic 8A) (TIP: Between each grit, wipe down  and water pop pieces to ensure a smoother finish.)
  • Smooth teardrops and L-Bracket edges and imperfections with angle grinder and sanding wheel or metal file. (Pic 8B)
  • Sand steel pieces through grits ending with 220 grit.
8A
8B

Apply Finish and Paint

  • Wipe all pieces clean.
  • Apply finish to wood base and top block using Walrus Oil furniture butter, following application directions or preferred finish of choice. (Pic 9A)
  • Spray paint teardrops and L-Bracket using Rustoleum Metallic Flat Soft Iron or color of choice. (Pic 9B) (TIP: Use a looped wire and hang pieces through holes to allow 360 degree spray painting.)
9A
9B

Final Assembly and Mounting

  • Attach teardrops to the top block using 2 in. stainless hex head bolts, a washer and lock nut per teardrop. (Pic 10A)
  • Fasten the 2 7/8 in. stainless hook through center hole of the top block with two washers, a nut and lock nut. (Pic 10B)
  • Secure the wood base to the teardrops with four 3/4 in. hex head stainless screws. (Pic 10C)
  • Fasten the 2 3/4 in. stainless eye loop to the L-Bracket with two washers, a nut and lock nut. (Pic 10D)
  • Choose the mounting location on the wall, plumb L-Bracket and attach using two 2 in. stainless screws. (Pic 10E) (NOTE: Be sure to secure to wall at a stud or use wall anchors.)
  • Hang teardrops to L-Bracket by simply hooking the top block hook into the L-Bracket eye loop.
  • Place ceramic pot onto wood base circle inlay, add desired foliage, stand back and enjoy your hard work! (Pic 10E)
10A
10B
10D
10E
10F

MENTIONED TOOLS

SUPPLIES

  • Double Sided Tape
  • Masking Tape
  • Poster Board or Cardboard
  • Scrap Plywood
  • Grinder Cutoff Wheel and Sanding Wheel
  • Sandpaper 80 – 320 Grits
  • Walrus Oil Furniture Butter
  • Rustoleum Metallic Flat Soft Iron Spray Paint
  • Shop Rags

CUT LIST

  • Wood Base 11 in. L x 6 in. W x 1 in. thick
  • Top Block 6 in. L x 1 1/4 in. W x 1 in. thick
  • Wall L-Bracket 19 in. L x 1 in. W x 1/8 in. thick
  • (2) Teardrops 59 1/2 in L x 1 in. W x 1/8 in. thick

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