Make a Modern Planter
Making this modern planter is easy using PAR pine that you can buy at any Builders Warehouse - have it cut to size of easy assembly.
05/12/2018
Made using PAR pine, this modern planter would look stunning in any room - or apply exterior sealer to place it outdoors on a deck or patio.
This modern planter by DIY Creators is very easy to make, and we have made some modifications to the design and materials used to allow for local products available in South Africa.
YOU WILL NEED:
1 of 19 x 882 x 282mm pine - base
2 of 19 x 920 x 200mm pine - planter front/back - ends cut at 45-degree bevels
2 of 19 x 320 x 200mm pine - planter sides - ends cut at 45-degree bevels
4 of 44 x 44 x 660mm pine - legs
2 of 44 x 44 x 610mm pine - top rails
11 of 44 x 44 x320mm pine - planter support/shelf end/slats
2 of 19 x 44 x 566mm pine - shelf, stretchers
25mm coarse thread screws [16]
60mm screws [18]
8mm pine dowel
Hacksaw or finishing saw
Plastic planter box to fit
Waterproof lining for planter
Wood glue, exterior
Choice of finishing
TOOLS:
Drill / Driver plus assorted bits
Kreg pocket hole jig (or assemble with basic joints)
Clamps
Mitre saw or table saw
Wood chisel or Bosch multifunction tool
Orbital sander plus 120- and 180-grit sanding pads
Staple gun
Tape Measure and pencil
The finished modern planter measures 800mm height x 960mm length and you can modify these measurements to fit a specific plastic planter box size.
HERE'S HOW:
1 Use a table saw or mitre saw to cut 45-degree bevels at the ends of the front, back and sides for the planter.
GOOD TO KNOW: Set up your Kreg pocket hole jig for 19mm thick material.
2. Drill [6] pocket holes along the long sides of the base and [2] pocket holes at the ends of the base. If you are not using a pocket hole jig, drill countersunk pilot holes through the front, back and sides.
3. Attach the [C] Base to the [A] Front and Back with exterior wood glue and 25mm screws.
4. Attach the [C] Base to the [B] Planter Sides with exterior wood glue and 25mm screws.
5. Secure [E] Top Rail to [F] Legs. Clamp the Top Rail firmly on top of the Legs in order to drill an 8mm hole through the Rail into each Leg to a depth of 20mm. .
6. Apply wood glue and hammer in an 8mm pine dowel.
7. Use a saw to trim off the excess dowel.
8. Clamp the legs and put aside for a couple of hours.
9. Measure and mark at 122mm down from the top of each Leg to fit the [D] Planter Upper Support. Apply glue and clamp in place.
10. Repeat steps 5 to 7 above to drill an 8mm hole, push in a dowel, and trim off excess.
11. On the Shelf Ends and Shelf Slats, measure and mark at 50mm in from both ends. Draw a line across to mark where the cut a lap joint.
12. On the shelf end also mark the centre (22mm) and cutting depth (19mm) for the 19 x 44mm Stretcher.
13. Cut away the lap joint on the slats using a mitre saw (set to cutting depth) or table saw (height adjustment locked in).
14. To cut out the rebate in the Shelf Ends, you can use a hammer and wood chisel...
Or you can use a Multifunction tool to make this job much easier and faster.
GOOD TO KNOW: Test fit that the rebates fits the Stretcher snugly.
15. Sand down all the assembled parts to a nice smooth finish.
16. Cut a 100mm long spacer and use this to mount the [H] Shelf Ends between the Legs.
GOOD TO KNOW: Glue and clamp the Shelf Ends in position.
17. Repeat steps 5 to 7 above to drill an 8mm hole, push in a dowel, and trim off excess.
18. Apply your choice of finish to the Planter box and Shelf Slats.
19. Stain or paint the Leg frames in your choice of colour. For this project a light colour was selected for the planter box and slats and a dark colour for the leg frames and stretcher. DO NOT paint the Shelf Ends.
GOOD TO KNOW: Allow the paint to dry and then mask off in order to stain the Shelf Ends.
20. Turn the frame upside down to install the stretchers and Shelf Slats with wood glue and 60mm screws.
Finishing
Cut a piece of liner to fit inside the planter box and staple in place.
Pot up your choice of plants.
Place the plaster planter box inside the frame.
Place a few small pebbles or stones on top of the soil for a nice contrast.
Your modern planter is now ready for use. Be sure to select the right type of plants for the setting where the planter will be placed.
We've included a video below that takes you step-by-step through the assembly process. However, bear in mind that some materials have been modified to allow for locally available materials in South Africa.