2-Tier Wooden Plant Stand
With a number of plant pots on the floor I felt it was time for a little decluttering and what better way to get them off the floor by building a multi tier wooden stand.
The stand is made using only wood (planks & blocks), and screws; no brackets or other supports are required.
Supplies
Wooden Decking planks 2.4m(L) x 120mm(W) x 24mm(H) - Qty 6
Timber Block 1.8m(L) x 50mm(W) x 47mm (T) - Qty 5
Stainless Steel Screws - 4mm x 40mm - Qty 78 (Brass as an alternative)
All materials were purchased from the local DIY store.
Tools
Combination square
Pencil
Tape Measure
Drill - (Manual or Powered)
3mm drill bit
Saw - (Manual or Powered)
Screwdrivers
Hammer
Clamps
Know your tools and follow the recommended operational procedures and be sure to wear the appropriate PPE.
Design
The initial design was created in BlocksCAD before commiting to a physical build.
Lower Shelf Planks
Using a standard 2.4m long plank measure 1.2m with a tape measure and at this mark with a combination square draw a line along the width.
Cut along this line with the saw to create 2 equal lengths.
This process needs to be repeated creating a total of 5 equal length planks.
One of these planks will be set horizontally at the rear.
Therefore, it will require two cutouts to accomodate the rear legs.
At the rear back corner of the plank mark a 50cm x 50xm square.
Cut the square out with the saw.
Repeat the process at the opposite end of the plank in the rear corner.
Lower Shelf Sides
Using the remaining 1.2m from the previous process.
Measure with a tape 45cm and at this mark with a combination square draw a line along the width.
Cut along this line with the saw.
Measure and cut a second 45cm length.
Lower Shelf Retainers
Block timber is used in creating the retainers.
Using a standard 1.8m length measure 1.1m with a tape measure and at this mark with a combination square draw a line along the width.
Cut along this line with the saw.
This process needs to be repeated with another 1.8m length creating a total of 2 equal lengths.
Using one of the 70cm remnant cut two 30cm lengths.
Upper Shelf Planks
Using a standard 2.4m long plank measure 1.2m with a tape measure and at this mark with a combination square draw a line along the width.
Cut along this line with the saw to create 2 equal lengths.
This process needs to be repeated creating a total of 4 equal length planks.
Upper Shelf Sides
Using a standard 2.4m long plank measure 33cm with a tape measure and at this mark with a combination square draw a line along the width.
Cut along this line with the saw.
Measure and cut a second 33cm length.
Upper Shelf Retainers
Block timber is used in creating the retainers.
Using a standard 1.8m length measure 1.1m with a tape measure and at this mark with a combination square draw a line along the width.
Cut along this line with the saw.
This process needs to be repeated with another 1.8m length creating a total of 2 equal lengths of 1.1m.
Using one of the 70cm lengths cut two 18cm lengths.
Vertical Supports
Block timber is used to create the vertical supports.
Using one of the 70cm remnants measure and cut a 49cm length.
Take another 70cm remnant measure and cut another 49cm length.
These will form the middle legs.
The front legs will be the renmants of the middle legs at 21cm
Using a standard 1.8m length measure 70cm with a tape measure and at this mark with a combination square draw a line along the width.
Cut along this line with the saw.
This process needs to be repeated creating a total of 2 equal lengths.
These will form the rear legs.
Pre Treatment
If the wood has not been pretreated to protect it from the elements, rot or pests; now would be a good time to do this before assembly. The ends are particularly prone to degradation.
I recommend soaking the ends in a bucket filled with a suitable preservative.
Leave overnight.
Flip over and again soak overnight.
Its also a good time to paint the sides with any run off confined to the bucket.
Once all ends are treated leave to dry for the recommended period prior to applying other coatings and/or assembly.
Lower Shelf Assembly
Take a 120cm plank and a 110cm block.
Align the long edge of the block with the long edge of a plank.
Centre the block on the plank to leave 50cm on either side, mark the edge line of the block on both ends.
Just it case it moves you have some refernce marks.
Using clamps hold the block and the plank together.
Orientate the combination with the plank uppermost and the block facing you.
Using the block as a reference mark the middle, half and three quarter intervals and 5cm at both ends.
With the combination square measure 5cm in on the plank long edge and mark a line of a couple of centimeters.
Extend the reference intervals on the block up and over on to the plank to cross the lines previously made.
Using a 3mm drill bit create pilot holes for the screws to a depth of 40mm.
Fit the screws in the holes.
Repeat the process using the 120cm plank with the cut out and a 110cm blank.
Alignment should be easier as the block will fit between the edges of the cut out.
Clamp and measure and insert pilot holes as per the previous one.
Take the two 30cm blocks and position at either end of the two long combined plank/block such that they are flush with the short edges.
Ensure the corners are at right angles.
In each corner there should be a 50cm x 50cm gap to accomodate the block legs.
Measure and drill a 3mm pilot hole in each plank to align with the block beneath to hold the elements together.
In the gap between the planks lay another 120cm plank and align at the block edges.
Leave equidistant gaps between the planks.
Measure in at the plank ends 5cm and draw a lind along the width.
Measure 5cm in from the long edge to cross the line previously drawn, repeat on the opposite long edge.
At the two marks drill 3mm pilot holes 40mm deep, repeat at the other end of the plank.
Fit screws in these 4 holes.
Now is the time to fit the sides.
Clamp a 120cm plank to the long edge to form an upright lip.
Using the previous reference marks of middle, half and three quarter intervals and 5cm at both ends on the long block.
With the combination square measure 5cm in on the plank long edge and mark a line of a couple of centimeters.
Extend the reference intervals on the block up and over on to the plank to cross the lines previously made.
Using a 3mm drill bit create pilot holes for the screws to a depth of 40mm.
Fit the screws in the holes.
Repeat this process for the other long edge.
Clamp a 45cm short plank to the short edge to form an upright lip.
With the combination square measure 5cm in on the plank short edge and mark a line of a couple of centimeters.
Creat two equidistant marks along this line.
Using a 3mm drill bit create pilot holes for the screws to a depth of 40mm.
Fit the screws in the holes.
Repeat this process for the other short edge.
Flip the shelf over to reveal the underside.
Two corners will be capped into which the front legs will fit.
Each leg is secured by two screws, one at the front and one at the side.
The rear legs will fit through the holes and be fixed by two screws, one at the side and one at the back.
Before fitting the screws clamp the legs in place.
Ensure the shelf is level by using a spirit level.
Upper Shelf Assembly
The process of assembly for the upper shelf is that same as that for the lower shelf.
The only exceptions being that no cut out is required in a plank and the depth is 2 rather than 3 planks.
Once the upper shelf is complete, flip it over to reveal the underside.
Fit the middle legs in the front capped corners, fixed by two screws, one at the side and one at the back.
Flip the shelf over and position the rear corners over the top of the rear legs.
The upper shelf should now sit on its four corners.
Check the upper shelf with a spirit level and make any neccessary adjustments to ensure its level.
Once level fit the screws to hold it in place.
Assembly is now complete.
Top Coats
If you have not already applied any protective top coats now would be a good time to do so.
Finally
Hope you found this project of interest.
That's it all complete and ready for the summer display.
Now place in a suitable location and populate the shelves with plants.