DIY Plant Press - The Great Outdoors

Instructions, materials and tool list below! A plant press is an easy project for drying flowers. You can use them to create scrapbooks, artwork or stickers. More of The Great Outdoors with Joe Sherinski:    • The Great Outdoors   List of Materials and Tools Needed 1x6 untreated pine, oak, cedar, etc. circular saw drill and bits “c” clamp razor knife scissors clear packing tape cardboard box blotter paper 6” x3/4” bolts (4) 4 washers and 4 wing nuts square tape measure sand paper 120 grit safety glasses STEP 1 Cutting your Lumber. First as with any project requiring the use of power tools, put on your safety glasses. Then, using a circular saw cut two pieces of lumber. In this case we cut two pieces 6x6 inches. STEP 2 Marking and Drilling the Holes. With a “C” clamp, clamp both pieces, one on top of the other to your work surface. This allows you to drill both pieces at the same time. Use care to not mar the wood by placing a piece of cardboard or scrap lumber between the top of the clamp and your board. Next, using a square, go to each corner of the board and mark a diagonal line from the corner. When this is done, use the square to mark an intersecting line across the first line in each corner. This allows you to drill the holes evenly spaced in each corner. After you’ve marked your board, drill the holes using a 3/8 inch bit. STEP 3 Install the Hardware. After you have drilled the holes, insert bolts into each corner. Later, you’ll “make a sandwich” by slipping the top board down over the bolts then secure it with washers and wing nuts. STEP 4 Cutting the Cardboard and Blotter Paper. Using a razor knife and a straight edge, cut your cardboard and blotter paper to fit your press. With this accomplished, you’re ready to start the pressing process by placing a piece of cardboard into the press followed by two pieces of blotter paper. Lay the Flower between the two pieces of blotter paper and top with another piece of cardboard. Repeat this process until your press is full of the desired number of flowers to be pressed. Finally, place the top board down over the bolts and using washers and wing nuts, tighten it snugly. STEP 5 Making Stickers. After the flowers have been in your press for a week, you’ll be ready to make stickers. Stretch a piece of clear packing tape across a gap. Lay one of your dried flowers on the tape and with another piece of tape, laminate the flower. With scissors, cut out the sticker. MORE FROM YOUR NEW HOUSE Featured videos:    • YNH Featured Videos   Great DIY Projects from Your New House:    • DIY - Do It Yourself with Your New House   Quick Tips:    • Quick Tips - Great, yet simple ideas for Y...   Gardening and Landscaping:    • Gardening and Landscaping   Adventures in Homebuilding:    • Adventures in Homebuilding   Choosing and Using Tools with Carmen Ciricillo:    • Choosing and Using Tools with Carmen   Factory Tours and Product Testing:    • Did You Know?   Al Carrell - The Super Handyman:    • THE Super Handyman