Drink Holder From Cord and Wood

With warmer weather the tendency is to stay outside more being acitive or just relaxing.

Thinking of relaxing, sat outside in the garden with a cooling drink got me thinking of my next project.

I have a drink but were do I put it, on the floor with the possibility of knocking it over trying to reach for it or kick it over with my feet.

A table is a good spot but in my case its not situated next to the bench due to space constraints.

Therefore, I needed another option and hence the drink holder was created.

Wood decking 120mm (W) X 20mm (H) X 230mm (L) or similar size plane sawn wood.

Plywood 9mm thick (greater than 60mm (W) x 60mm (L)) or similar size perspex/metal washer.

Paracord 2mm diameter x ~6m length

95mm hole saw

60mm hole saw

3mm drill bit

Optional 10mm drill bit (if the bit in the hole saw is <10mm)

Screws 40mm x 4mm - Qty 2

25mm panel pins - Qty 8

Wire Staples 5mm x 15mm - Qty 8

Drill

Claw Hammer

Pencil/Marker

Sandpaper

Protractor

Drawing Compass

Combination square

Screwdriver, nail, skewer or crochet needle.

Paint, varnish, stain, oil or wax

Know your tools and follow the recommended operational procedures and be sure to wear the appropriate PPE

The base of the drink holder is made from a circle of plywood cut from a larger piece using a 60mm diameter hole saw attached to the drill.

This helps to maintain the required diameter of the net and provides a stable platform for the beverage.

The centre hole needs to be ~10mm in diameter, if necessary redrill the hole with a 10mm drill bit if the bit in the hole saw is smaller.

With sandpaper remove any rough edges.

Apply suitable protection against moisture ingress, be it paint, varnish, oil or wax.

The top of the drink holder which is the main supporting element is made from a piece of wooden decking.

In this case, two separate 95mm holes are cut side by side, one to hold the drink and one to facilitate different mounting options. One option being to pass this up the leg and fix at a 45 degree angle. Although fixing behind the leg at 90 degrees was less intrusive and selected as the final position.

Find the centre of the decking (115mm, 60mm).

Measure 55mm to the left on the horizontal.

Using a protractor, compass and ruler at this centre create 8 segments each of 45 degrees, extend the segment lines beyond the diameter of the 95mm hole to be cut.

Draw a 105mm diameter circle to cross the segment lines the intersections will act as guides for the panel pins/nails.

Cut the 95mm hole.

Measure 55mm to the right on the horizontal and cut another 95mm hole.

With sandpaper remove any rough edges.

At each of the intersections hammer into place a panel pin/nail, you need to be able to remove these later therefore do not insert them too deeply.

This and the following processes will make use of the paracord which will be one continuous length from start to finish.

Create a slip knot and thread the loop through the hole in the 60mm base disc.

With a loop that is as large as the disc push the disc through this loop and push the loop towards the knot and pull tight.

This part of the process requires centring the base and and tensioning which results in it being suspended between the pins.

The process consists of a series of loop.

Position the base in the centre of the ring.

Loop the long end of the cord round the first pin (in this case at the 12 o'clock position).

Form a loose loop and push the loop through the central hole in the base.

Pull this so it is able to extend over the next pin (at the 1 o'clock position).

With the long end of the cord extending from the centre hole, pass this under the 1 o'clock loop.

Try to keep the cord flat against the inner hole to prevent the hole becoming constricted.

If the hole becomes constricted push a skewer, nail or cross head screwdriver into it to flatten the cord and widen the hole.

Pull the cords to remove the slack such that the two loops at 12 & 1 o'clock are held tight but with enough slack to maintain the base centrally.

With the long end of the cord form a loop and pass it through the centre hole, extend the loop to pass over the 2 o'clock pin.

With the long end of the cord extending from the centre hole, pass this under the 2 o'clock loop.

Form a loose loop and push the loop through the hole.

This process is repeated until all the pins are looped once each.

As you go along ensure the tension is maintained to keep the base centred.

This stage will consist of a number of loops which form a spiralling pattern to enable the glass or bottle to sit snugly and with stability within the net.

As the net being woven will extend down this will require an unhindered drop.

This can be accomplished by hanging the net over the edge of the table/bench with a counter weight or clamp on the other end.

Back at the 12 o'clock position.

Form a loose loop with the long end and push this into the loop to exit at the left.

Hold this loop and lift the loop previously placed over the pin and place the new loop over the pin.

This process can be carried out totally freehand or you can engage the help of a tool, screwdriver, nail, skewer or a crochet needle.

As you go along ensure the tension is maintained to keep the base centred.

Proceed to the next pin and repeat the process.

Once the net has descended a couple of centimeters place a can in the net to maintain a uniform tension and sizing.

Continue the process untill the net has descended the required depth for the glass/bottle ~3/4 of its length.

Cut the cord leaving enough length to enable a knot to be tied at the last loop for the required depth.

Prior to securing the net the wood should be protected with varnish, wax, paint, stain or oil as required.

In order to construct the net panel pins/nails were inserted into the wood.

However, for operational use these should be replaced with staples.

The staples prevent the loops separating and lifting off when the container is removed from the net.

Using a claw hammer remove the pins to be replaced by a staples.

Fit the drink holder in the designated place by which ever method is appropriate to the materials and location.

I drilled two pilot holes in the holder and screws were inserted to attach it to the underside of the bench.

Insert your glass, can or bottle with your chosen beverage, sit back and relax you have earned it

Until the next project thats all for now.

I hope you found it of interest.