Tiered Terra-Cotta Tower

Stack plants in style with these tiered terra-cotta saucers, featuring a classic look guaranteed to bring attention to even the smallest of plants.

Step 1: Begin by drilling holes in the centers of the 10" and 8" saucers using a 1/4" masonry bit. (The saucer centers are usually marked by a slight bump.) To drill, spray water on each saucer and allow it to penetrate the terra-cotta. Drill straight down from the top of the saucer, applying light to moderate pressure to avoid cracking the saucers.

Step 2: Cut two dowel sections 8-1/4" long using a miter box to ensure the ends are square to the sides. Clamp each dowel to a solid work surface while you carefully drill centered 3/16" holes into both ends of one dowel (the bottom one) and one end of the other dowel. Have a helper check the alignment of the bit to make sure it’s 90 degrees to the ends of the dowels.

Step 3: Apply contact cement to about 2" of one end of a dowel and begin wrapping it with twine. Apply glue and wrap a section at a time until you reach the other end; knot the twine to hold it in place while the glue dries. Repeat for the other dowel.

Step 4: Cut a 4"-long piece of 6"-wide (5-1/2" actual) 1/4" poplar; center and drill a 3/16" hole through it. Glue it to the bottom of the 10" saucer with the holes in the wood and the saucer aligned. Drive a #10×1-1/2" wood screw up through the block and the hole in the saucer.

Step 5: Glue a rubber washer centered on one end of the dowel with holes at both ends and insert the wood screw through the washer and into the dowel. Drive the screw into the end of the dowel, taking care not to overtighten the screw and crack the saucer.

Step 6: Glue a washer centered on the other end of the dowel. Then use a pair of locking pliers to grip the dowel screw at its center and insert it halfway into the end of the dowel attached to the 10" saucer. Insert the dowel screw into the hole of the 8" saucer from underneath, glue a washer to the top of the saucer around the screw, and tighten the second wrapped dowel until it rests firmly against the saucer. Again, avoid overtightening the dowel.

Step 7: Apply glue to the top of the dowel and press the 4" saucer centered on the end of the dowel. Allow the glue to set for at least two hours before moving it; let it set overnight before adding plants.

Total Votes: 7

close[X]

These "social bookmarking" services make it easier to share and manage your favorite online content.

StumbleUpon, digg, and del.icio.us help you gather content from around the web, describe it how you see fit, and tag it for easy sorting. These sites also allow you to see what other people are gathering and tagging (if they've made it public), and find new content that may interest you.

Social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace also allow you to share content that you find interesting, with people who visit or subscribe to your personal profile.

-->

Skill level: Intermediate

Time Estimate: 1-1/2 hours + drying time

Estimated cost: $31*

Tools:

Miter box with saw
Spray bottle
Drill
3/8" masonry bit
3/16" drill bit

Lowe’s List**:

10" terra-cotta saucer (#94458)
8" terra-cotta saucer (#94457)
4" terra-cotta saucer (#94449)
Loctite Stick’n Seal Glue (#86085)
525' of sisal twine (#66438)
2 - 1/4" × 3" dowel screws (#15434)
5/8" round dowel (#19383)
#10 × 1-1/2" flat-head wood screw (#57242)
1/4" × 6" × 4' poplar (#1228)
3/8" × 7/8" × 1/16" rubber washer (#136599)
Dap Weldwood contact cement, 3 ounces (#105458)

*Does not include taxes, which vary by market, or the cost of tools. Pricing for commodity items may vary due to market conditions. **Availability varies by market for lumber species and sizes.