RECYCLED COASTERS AND HOLDER

  This is a very easy project to do but requires a can opener that removes the complete top of the can leaving a nice ridge around the outside of the top. The holder is made from scrap cardboard.

Materials       

Can top 

Spray can of Stone spray paint (see picture below).

Scrap cardboard.
Medium sand paper.
White glue, wood stain, and polyurethane.

Tools

A compass for drawing circles.

A pair of scissors.
Straight pins and small clothes pins.  
Small poly brushes   

Steps
1. Clean can top and spray both sides with desired Stone Paint.
2. After Stone Paint is set apply 2 coats of Polyurethane to both sides of coaster.
3. With a compass draw 4 circles sightly larger than your coasters on scrap cardboard. The sides of a cereal box work good.
4. Draw a center line through the circle and cut in half forming 8 half circles.
5. Glue 4 each half circles together to form the 2 sides of coaster holder(set a weight on top of pieces to clamp).
6. When the glue is set sand the 2 half circles until the out side edges are even.
7. Cut 4 strips of cardboard 1.25 inches wide and long enough to cover the edge of the half circles.
8. Glue the first strip to one half circle and secure with straight pins as in photo below.
9. Repeat step 8 to attach second half circle to first strip.
10. Attach the other 3 strip with white glue and secure with small clothes pins as in photo below.
11. When glue is dry sand holder completely.
12. With compass draw 4 larger circles of about 4 inches and cut out with scissors.
13. Glue all large circles together and weight down to clamp.
14. Sand large circles completely.
15. Glue holder to the center of the large circle base making sure to keep the top of the holder level at the top.
16. When glue is set sand assembly making sure to remove any vissible glue marks, and apply walnut wood stain(dark brown liquid shoe polish could be used).
17. Apply 2 to 3 coats of polyurethane or amber shellac( the first photo above has shellac).
18. Place coasters in holder and start using your new coasters.

                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                  

ABS PIPE KEY RACK

This key rack is verticle and round making it slightly unique but very practical.
Materials
Half of a 12" length of 3" ABS Pipe(see 1st photo below).
8 brass L hooks.
2 brass eye hooks 1/4".
Metalic Blue spray paint.
Tools
Hand saw or chop saw.
Drill with 1/16" drill bit.
Medium sand paper.
Steps
1. Cut 12" length of ABS Pipe.
2. Split the pipe in half(see 1st photo below).
3. Cut 45 degree angle on both ends of half pipe.
4. Sand pipe until smooth and spray paint.
5. Drill 1/16" holes in the tips of the pipe at one end and install eye hooks(see 2nd photo below)
6. Drill 1/16" hole in pipe in pattern like photo above and install L hooks.

7. Mount on wall and hang keys. 

MICRO WAVE DISH COVER

Make this simple but useful micro wave dish cover from large paint strainer and a few small buttons. I have some of these I made 2 years ago and they are still being used . Reduces micro wave cleaning!
Materials
1 large paint strainer from hardware store.
8 to 10 buttons
Jewelry glue or thread
Tools
7, 9, 12 inch diameter dish covers.
scissors and pencil
Steps
1. Lay the 3 dish covers on the paint strainer and trace with pencil(see 2nd photo below).
2. Repeat step 1 on the other side of paint strainer.
3. Cut out the 6 circles from the strainer.
4. Glue or stitch buttons evenly around the outside of the circles(see 1st photo below).
5. Place correct size circle over the top of dish in the micro wave and prevent splatter of food.

RECYCLED CD LAMP

This unique lamp is made with old CDs and PVC Pipe.

Materials(see 1st photo below)
12 old CDs.
1 clear plastic bowl.
7 PVC Pipe Couplings 3/4".
6 length of 3/4" PVC Pipe 1" long.
3 cardboard washers.
1 lamp kit.
1 lamp shade.
Super Glue and Metalic Blue Spray Paint.

Tools
Drill and 1" drill bit.
Compass and scissors(to make washers).
Handsaw and sand paper.
Dremel with 1/2" sanding drum.

Steps

1. Glue 12 CDs together label to label with super glue.

2. Trace around piece of 3/4" PVC pipe on center of joined CDs.

3. Grinded out center of joined CDs with Dremel & drum attachment( see 2nd photo below).

4. Drill 1" hole in the center of the bowl bottom(finish hole with dremel to fit pipe).

5. Grind a small notch in the top edge of the bowl(for electrical cord).

6. Make cardboard washers to equal the hight of the ring on bowl bottom(see 3rd photo below).

7. Spray paint 6 PVC couplings metalic blue, and cut 6 pieces of 3/4" PVC pipe 1" long, sand edges.

8. Super glue 1 pipe into 1 coupling leaving pipe extending out half way.

9. Place the bowl bottom side up on flat surface and place washers on bowl(see 3rd photo below).

10. Put coupling/pipe assembly through the hole in bowl bottom and glue half of unpainted coupling onto pipe end of coupling/pipe assembly(see 4th photo below).

11. Place bowl/coupling assembly on flat surface with coupling up and glue pipe into top of coupling.

12. Place 1 CD over pipe and glue next coupling/pipe assembly into the bowl/coupling assembly(see 5th photo below).

13. Continue step 12 until all the CDs and couplings are assembled(see 1st photo above).

14. Assemble light socket, 1/8" pipe nipple, and top plate from lamp kit and glue to the top of last coupling(see 6th photo below).

15. Run electrical cord from lamp kit up through lamp assembly and wire up light socket( follow lamp kit directions).

Attach lamp shade, bulb, and try your new light with all the rainbow colors.

                                                                                                                 

                                              

ABS PIPE CANDELABRA SET

This is a simple project out of ABS Pipe that creates a nice set of tea candle wall holders.

Materials
2 piece of 3" ABS Pipe and a 1/2" by 3/4" stripe of pipe.
2 ABS Couplings 1 1/2".
Super Glue.
Spray can of Metalic Blue Paint.
2 candles.

Tools
Dremil with sanding drum.
Saw and sand paper
Pencil
Steps
1. Cut 2 pieces of 3" ABS Pipe 3" long.
2. Cut the 2 pieces in half(see 1st photo below)
3. Cut a small piece of the pipe 1/2" by 3/4" and drill 3/16" hole at one end.
4. Place the coupling over the edge of 1 half piece of pipe lapping 3/8", trace coupling with pencil(see 2nd photo below).
5. Repeat step 4 for 2nd holder.
6. Grind out marked area with dremel(see 3rd photo below).
7. Sand all pieces until smooth.
8. Super glue 1 ground out piece to a solid piece of pipe half making sure 2 halfs are aligned(see 4th photo below).
9. Grind a flat spot on the edge of the coupling and glue into bottom of holder with flat spot glued to top piece.
10. Glue the small piece of pipe to the back of the top part of the holder(see 5th photo below).

11. Spray 2 coats of Metalic Blue paint on each holder.

12. Place a candle into the coupling and hang on the wall.