WoodCentral Forums

Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge

Some Weed Pots

Posts

Some Weed Pots

#1

Some Weed Pots

William Duffield on the Cohansey

>I turned these small weed pots yesterday. They are three to four inches high, and marginally more than an inch in diameter. I plane a flat in the back at an angle, drill a shallow hole and insert a rare earth magnet. That way, they don't have to stand up, and I can "fix" the ones whose bottom intersects the central hollow, by turning and gluing in a drop finial.

#1 and #5 are Honduras mahogany with walnut patches. #2 and #6 are spalted California-laurel or Oregon-myrtle, Umbellularia californica, a sorry source for bay leaves. #3 is black cherry. #4 is also mahogany.

This evening, I turned a few more, out of walnut, dogwood and black locust. I'm still experimenting with the best way to cut the angled flat where they mate with the refrigerator. I've tried several methods, and continue to improve the technique. The latest idea is to clamp my #7 upside down in the vise, insert a dowel down the throat of the turned weedpot, and push it across the blade. I think I can save several passes across the plane if I rough cut the flat first on the bandsaw.

Re: Some Weed Pots

#2

Re: Some Weed Pots

George Van

>Good Morning William,

I am unable to view your weedpots.

George

Re: Some Weed Pots

#3

Re: Some Weed Pots

Rob Overton

>George, You are not pure in Heart...:-)

Re: Some Weed Pots

#4

Re: *PICS* of Weed Pots

William R. Duffield on the Cohansey

>Doh!

I think I must have hit the transmit key while falling asleep in front of the computer last night. Here is the picture.


Comments are welcome. On these, I don't do any specific form planning before I start turning. I start by making the piece of scrap round, and then ad lib based on how much useful wood is left.

No photos yet of the new ones.

Re: Some Weed Pots

#5

Re: Some Weed Pots

floyd knapp

>I've been making weed pots such as you.I make the flat on the back on the disc sander.I use the 3/8" magnets.I also make some with a suction cup attached in the hole instead of a magnet.Can be used on windows or mirrors.Make nice gifts for the ladies.

Floyd

Re: Some Weed Pots

#6

What a neat idea! Thanks. 

adrien

>

Re: Some Weed Pots

#7

Couppla More Ideas

Al Kapocius, Metro Greendale

>Tried the same gimmick. Cut the back with a bandsaw, then "adjusted" the flat with a belt sander before drilling a hole for the magnet. Discovered that a "Goop" adhesive allowed the magnet to creep and pull out. Had to repair with epoxy.

I did drop a plastic test tube down the central hole in case real flowers are used. Found the tubes, about 3/8" dia. at a scientific surplus shop. Plastic is a lot easier to trim to length if neccessary than glass. Presented the pots at Valentine's day with silk roses. Paid top dollar for the blossoms; well, 50 cents anyway.

Al Kapocius

Re: Some Weed Pots

#8

Re: Couppla More Ideas

William R. Duffield on the Cohansey

>I've been using the metal cups that you can get with the 1/4" magnets. They cost more than the magnets themselves, but make them a lot stronger, and since they have ribs, I can force fit them into the holes, and they stay put without glue. This saves a lot of assembly time.

Check the Tips section of the WC Articles for an explanation of how I make my tubular inserts.

The first few of these I made I used a different technique for the magnet hole. I started with square stock, and cut the top and bottom faces at about 15�, and drilled the hole for the magnet before I turned them. I still have mixed feelings about which way works worst. If I drill the hole first, then the layout takes longer, and the location of the hole constrains the final shape. But if I turn them first and then cut a flat and drill the hole, it is difficult to get the turned pot to stay put while I'm drilling the hole, without damaging the finish, and it is more difficult to get the depth correct. There has to be a third way that makes it all easy, but I haven't found it yet.

👍 This page answered my questions

Your vote helps other woodworkers quickly find the answers and techniques that actually work in the shop.