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Build It, Decor Adventures, DIY, Tutorial

How to Make an Air Conditioner Screen from Pallets

Hi friends. It’s Jessica from Decor Adventures and I’m here to show you an easy project that will improve the look of your yard. If you are like me and are lucky enough to have central air conditioning in our home, but unlucky enough to have a large air conditioning unit taking up some of our backyard patio space, this project is perfect for you. We decided to create an air conditioning screen that would conceal the unit and help make our back patio into a better looking space for relaxation.

Making a screen to hide your air conditioner unit is easy. We elected to do this with pallet wood which (although it’s not the best quality wood) is free and easy to work with. Here’s how to make an air conditioner screen from pallets.

Materials:

Pallets
Reciprocating saw
Eye protection
Work gloves
Pry bar
Braid nails
Nail gun
Level
Measuring tape
Miter saw
Hinges and screws
Drill and drill bits
Exterior paint/primer
Paint brush
Water
Plastic drop cloth

Instructions:

First find pallets to use for this project. We looked on Craigslist and found some listed for free. If you don’t see any, you can ask at places like automotive repair stores, home improvement stores, manufacturing warehouses, etc. Make sure to ask if you can take some and how many.

For this project we used about 2 pallets. Pallets aren’t the best quality wood, prying them apart can break the wood. We opted to cut them apart with a reciprocating saw. Cut apart each pallet until you get flat pieces of wood like this. We didn’t use the inside “frames” of the pallets for this, just the flat parts.

Measure your air conditioner to determine the height and width of your screen. Add a few inches to the height and width. This screen has 2 sides hinged together but you could easily make a third or even fourth side if needed.

Next, use a miter saw to cut four pieces of wood to size for each side of the screen, two for the vertical sides and two for the horizontal rows for each side. This will form the frame for each side. The bottom board is a few inches off the ground to give the screen feet to stand on.

Measure and cut more pallet boards to create the slats of your screen. Nail the pallet slats onto the frame, making sure the boards are level. Repeat the process to make a second side.

Take the two sides and lay them on a flat surface next to each other, with the back sides facing up. Locate two hinges. (I used small hinges we already had on hand, but there are a variety of sizes available at the home improvement stores.)

Mark where the hinges will go with a pencil and pre-drill holes for the screws. With your drill or screwdriver, attach all four screws for each hinge. (I used three hinges for this screen.)

To conceal the air conditioning unit more, I elected to paint the wood gray to help it blend in more. Mix 1 part exterior primer/paint to 2 parts water and brush it on the screen. Blending the paint with water gives it a more washed look and lets some of the wood show through.

Let the paint dry and then prop it up around your air conditioner. This makes a nice looking piece of furniture instead of a utility that takes up part of your yard or patio. You can even get creative and hang plants from it.

When you set up the screen around your air conditioning unit, make sure to allow at least 8-10 inches from the unit for the best air flow and efficiency of your unit.

Learn more about maintaining your air conditioner here.

See you at Decor Adventures soon and happy building!

~ Read more of Jessica’s tutorials ~

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August 3, 2016/3 Comments/by Decor Adventures

Build It, DIY

DIY Mini Planters

Hi everyone! This is Lindi, visiting again from Love Create Celebrate. I’m really excited to show you how to make your own mini planters. Tis the season for filling up our homes with garden plants (or faux plants if you lack a green thumb!) With only a few tools and a couple hours you can make your own simple DIY Mini Planters.

I LOVE these planters! They are the perfect mix of chic and rustic. I actually made them from maple, although any wood will work. The wood from this project came from an old pallet! Most pallets in Canada are made with cheap pine, but we lucked out. Lesson learned: always check your pallets! Now let’s get busy and make a few DIY Mini Planters.

Materials:

1″ x 6″ x 4′ board
4″ x 4″ ¼” plywood piece (per planter)
Wood glue
Wood stain of your choice
Styrofoam square (optional)
Faux florals (optional)

Tools:

Speed square
Measuring tape
Miter saw
Table saw or router table
Nail gun
Sander
Clamps

Instructions:

Use your miter saw to cut your 1″ x 6″ board into four 54 3/4″ long pieces. Then use the table saw to cut all four of those pieces to 3.5″ wide (these will be your sides.) Cut your plywood into a 4″ by 4″ square.

Use your speed square to mark a 45º angle on both edges of your 4 side boards. Cut along those marks with your miter saw. You will have four boards measuring 4 3/4″ x 3.5″ on the outside edge, with 45º cuts on both sides.

Next use your table saw or router table to make a 1/4″ groove about 1/4″ inch above the bottom of your 4 3/4″ x 3.5″ boards.

When all of your pieces are cut and grooved, it’s time to assemble them.

Put wood glue on the edges of the first piece, fit the two edges of either side of it and use your nail gun to attach these three sides.

When three sides are attached, slide your plywood into the groove you created. Add more wood glue and nail the last piece in place.

Once the glue is dry, give the planter a quick sand and stain it whatever color you would choose. Add a styrofoam block with some faux florals! If you want to add real plants, line the planter with plastic and add soil and plants.

I LOVE these planters!

I made them in no time at all and they look amazing in my living room!

If you like planters, you’re in luck! I’m sharing these Triangle Planters from Pallets over at Love Create Celebrate!

For more DIY decor inspiration visit Love Create Celebrate.

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July 27, 2016/8 Comments/by Love Create Celebrate

Build It, Home Decor

Rustic Home Sign

Hi everyone! This is Lindi, visiting again from Love Create Celebrate! I’m really excited to show you how you can make your own Rustic Home Sign. You’ve probably seen something similar in a home decor store, but didn’t want to pay big bucks for one. You’re in luck, I’m going to show you how to make your own Rustic Home Sign using a scrap of wood you might have sitting around. If your scrap wood isn’t wide enough, you can glue two pieces together.

Materials:

1×6″ wood board (as big as you want your sign to be)
Pencil or stencil
Drill
Scroll Saw
Sandpaper
Wood Stain

Instructions:

Cut your wood board down to the approximate size that you want your sign to be. Mine was about 12″ long. Make sure the edge that the sign will sit on is flat. If not, sand down that edge. Sand the front and back of the board (especially if you glued two boards together.)

Trace the word “Home” on your board. Draw it by hand or transfer from a print out. Make sure that all of your letters are connected and that the bottom of the letters run off the bottom of the board (this way it will sit flat).

Using your drill, drill holes into the centers of the “o” and “e” that are enclosed. Use a scroll saw to cut around the word and within the letters. Use a very thin blade to allow you to navigate the edges and curves.

When you are done cutting, double check that your piece sits flat. Use your sandpaper to sand all edges. (Folded up sandpaper and a nail file will help you get into the curves.)

Stain your pieces using your favorite wood stain. (I used my well-loved can of grey.)

Let it dry, and display it proudly in your home!

I love how this piece turned out.

I can see myself using this piece on my mantle or any of the many shelves in my home!

I may have to make a few more or make some with different words.

For more DIY decor inspiration visit Love Create Celebrate.

~ view more projects by Lindi ~

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June 22, 2016/10 Comments/by Love Create Celebrate

Build It, Gift Ideas

DIY Tool Tote Gift

Jaime here today from That’s My Letter dropping in to say hello to all you Pretty Handy Girl readers. I’m sharing this DIY tool tote gift idea. It’s perfect for Father’s Day, a Honey-Do Shower, New Homeowners, or basically any occasion — because who doesn’t love tools?!!

You can use any scrap wood, I used a piece of 1×6 cedar and a 1″ dowel to built this tool tote. Then simply fill with all the essential basics one might need or want:

You could go crazy at the hardware store pulling together all your favorite tools and supplies. I stuck to the basics with a hammer, screwdrivers, measuring tape, level, paint brushes, painter’s tape, super glue, spray insulation, chair felts and picture hanging hooks.

Of course you don’t have to fill the tote with tools, it’s perfect for any gift basket contents:

Below are the step-by-step instructions to build this tool tote.

Always follow all safety precautions when operating power tools.

Materials:

1 – 1″x6″x8′ cedar board
1 – 1″ dowel
saw
measuring tape
pencil
drill and 1″ forstner bit
nailer and 1 ¼” finish nails
wood glue
sander
clear polyurethane

Cut List:

2 – 1×6 @ 18″ (sides)
2 – 1×6 @ 12″ (ends, dog ear the corners as pictured)
1 – 1×6 @ 16 ½” (base)
1 – 1″ dowel @ 17 ½” (handle)

Step 1: Using a 1″ forstner bit, drill a hole for the handle about 1/2″ deep into center top of each dog-earred end piece.

Step 2: Assemble the handle into the ends. Attach the ends to the base using wood glue and 1 ¼” finish nails.

Step 3: Attach the sides using wood glue and 1 ¼” finish nails. Sand smooth.

Applying clear satin polyurethane will make the cedar wood grain pop. It not only looks beautiful, but will protect the wood from wear and tear.

Are you ready for Father’s Day? Do you have a certain someone who could use a tool tote gift?

I hope you enjoyed this DIY project idea.

~ read more of Jaime’s tutorials ~

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June 15, 2016/5 Comments/by Jaime Costiglio

Build It

Half Round Copper & Wood Side Table

I wanted to build a small side table for our living room that wouldn’t take up a lot of floor space and have a light, airy, and industrial feel. I realized that was a tall order, but I like to challenge my creativity. On top of that order (like whip cream on a mocha frappé) I wanted some shiny copper bling (because who doesn’t love bling?) I had a general idea for the structure of the table, but wasn’t sure what to use for the top. While on one of my weekly excursions to Lowe’s, I spotted wood rounds. I grabbed one, headed to the plumbing department to buy some pretty copper pipe, and headed home to make a Half Round Copper & Wood Side Table.

Before you think you won’t be able to make this table because you can’t solder, I have a surprise for you. It isn’t soldered! I used an all surface adhesive to secure all the joints! Not just any adhesive will work. Luckily I was recently acquainted with Liquid Nails Fuze*It when Liquid Nails challenged me to use it in a sponsored post. Challenge accepted!

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

24″ Round Wood Panel
3/4″ x 8′ copper pipe
4 – T connectors
3 – 90˚ angle elbows
3 – 3/4″ End caps
3 – Pipe straps
3/4″ wood screws
Tape measure
Caulk gun
Painter’s tape
Level
Drill with phillips head bit
Pipe Cutter (or hacksaw or Rockwell BladeRunner with metal cutting blade)
Jigsaw (or bandsaw or Rockwell BladeRunner with wood cutting blade)
Pencil
Liquid Nails Fuze*It
Minwax Dark Walnut stain
Furniture Wax or Polycrylic
Safety glasses
Ear protection (if using the BladeRunner)

Pipe Cut List:

3 – 5″
3 – 17″
2 – 8 ½”
1 – 7 ½”

Instructions:

Begin by cutting your copper pipe to size. You can use a pipe cutter or any saw with a metal blade.

(When my pipe cutter broke, I tried the Rockwell BladeRunner. It cut through the pipe nicely but the last cut always resulted in a slight kickback action. Not a big deal as the hood kept it from flying.)

Use a piece of sandpaper to clean up the cut edges of the pipes.

Open the tube of Liquid Nails Fuze*It All Surface Construction Adhesive. Remove the nozzle and puncture the top of the tube. Load the tube into a caulk gun. Squeeze some adhesive into the three copper caps.

Insert the three 5″ pipes into each cap. These will be the feet of the side table.

Squeeze the Fuze*It adhesive into the three openings in the “T” connectors. (You can wipe off any excess adhesive with a damp paper towel or baby wipe.)

Slide the feet into one side of the “T” connectors as shown below.

Insert two 8 ½” pipes and the one 7 ½” pipe into the last “T” connector and attach the glued legs as shown below to create the base.

Slide the 17″ pipes into the base as shown:

Add more Fuze*It adhesive to the 90° elbow joints and attach to the tops of the legs. Aim the elbows in toward the center.

Check all the legs to make sure they are straight and plumb.

Add painter’s tape to the joints to hold until the adhesive cures (in a few hours).

Meanwhile, measure and mark the half location (with the wood grain) on the wood round . Cut, the round with the BladeRunner, jig saw, band saw or table saw.

Sand the cut edges smooth.

Wipe any sanding dust off the table top. Stain with Dark Walnut stain. Wipe off excess. After the stain has dried, re-apply a second or third coat to achieve the darkness you desire.

Once the Liquid Nails Fuze*It adhesive has cured, turn the legs upside down and center the legs on the table. (To allow the straight side to fit snug against a wall, center the legs 1 ½” from the edge. The round edge will protrude a few inches beyond the center leg.

Attach the 90° elbows to the half round with pipe straps and 3/4″ screws.

Wax or polycrylic the table top to protect it.

Enjoy your new Half Round Copper & Wood Side Table.

Obviously, I still have another wood half round to make a second table. But, I’m going to try to come up with another creative use for it. Any ideas?

No one has to know that you didn’t solder the joints. It’s our little secret.

I was surprised how simple this project was. The hardest part was making sure the legs are plumb.

I hope you’ll make one for yourself. Be sure to pick up some Liquid Nails Fuze*It All Surface Construction Adhesive. It bonds almost everything to almost everything else.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Liquid Nails Fuze*It. I was compensated for my time. I was not told what to write. As always I’m very particular about the products I write about.

June 10, 2016/12 Comments/by Brittany Bailey