Safety Note: To avoid inhaling sawdust, it is a good idea to wear a dust mask when cutting or sanding wood.
Follow these simple instructions to build a perfect plant stand. These dimensions will
render a pedestal approximately 36 inches tall with an 11-inch-square
base, an 8-1/2-inch-square top, and a 6-5/8-inch-square column. The dimensions
can easily be adjusted for the size you require.
Step 1: Begin construction by building panels to make the sides of the column. Cut two (33-inch-long) 1x4 pine boards. Rip
them into four boards that are 1-1/2 inches wide. Rip another 33-inch-long board into four more boards that are 5/8 inch wide. Rip a 30-inch board
to 3 inches, and cut into eight 3-5/8-inch lengths. (Note: You will have a small amount of scrap left over; it can be discarded.) All
of these pieces will make the rails
and stiles
of the sides.
Step 2:
Take two 1-1/2- x 33-inch boards and two 3-5/8- x 3-inch boards. The longer
boards will make the stiles of one side of the pedestal, the shorter boards
will make the rails. Join the rails and stiles together with a biscuit
joiner to complete one side. Repeat Step 2.
Step 3:
Now take the two 5/8- x 33-inch boards and two 3-5/8- x 3-inch boards,
and make a side, following the process in Step 2. Repeat to complete the
last side. Cut the beaded-board paneling into four pieces that measure
4-1/2 x 28 inches with the beaded detail running the longest length. Glue
and brad these pieces to the rails and stiles that you just assembled.
(Note: It is important to keep the beaded detail parallel to the
rails of the sides. This will give a more professional look when finished.)
After the glue dries, you are ready to assemble the column.
Step 4:
Assemble the column by gluing one wide panel and one narrow panel together,
and securing with 8d nails. (Note: When assembling the sides, the
narrow panel is joined to the back of the wide panel.) Repeat with the
other panels. Now assemble both of these pieces together to make the column.
Take a router with a 45-degree chamfering
bit. Run the router down the corners of the pedestal (be careful to not
hit any of the nails holding the sides together). This detail will add
interest to the finished piece.
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Step 5:
It is time to assemble the bottom. With the biscuit joiner, join two 1-
x 6- x 11-inch pine boards, and glue together to form an 11- x 11- x 3/4-inch
board. After the glue dries, route the edges of the board with any router
bit that suits your taste. Now, rip a 50-inch 1x4 to 3/4 inch wide. Cut
and miter these four pieces to the bottom of the 11- x 11- x 3/4-inch
board. Glue and nail this assembled piece to one end of the column. This
forms the bottom of the column. Now, take a 1x4 that is approximately
40 inches long, and rip it to 1-1/4 inches wide to form four pieces. Route
one edge
of each board with the same bit that was used on the bottom. Cut and miter
these pieces, and nail and glue them around the column where it attaches
to the base. This detail will add decorative interest and visual weight
to the base to keep it from looking top-heavy.
Step 6:
It is now time to assemble the top, which measures 8-1/4 x 8-1/2 x 3/4
inches. With the biscuit joiner, join two 1- x 6- x 8-1/4-inch pine boards,
and glue together. After the glue dries, rip it to a finished width of
8-1/4 inches. To chamfer the top edge, set a table saw at a slight angle,
and trim all four sides. The top is now ready to be glued and nailed to
the top of the column.
Step 7:
The last step is to apply a paint finish to the pedestal. First, set and
fill all nail holes. Sand
the entire column smooth, and apply a coat of wood stain. Then, apply
a coat of flat exterior latex paint in the color of your choice. If you
want a white-washed look, like the one shown here, thin the paint with
water. For a distressed look, lightly sand the column again to let the
wood show through in places, and then apply a coat of paste wax. Now you
can relax and enjoy the pedestal.
