Cheap and Easy Painter's Pyramids/drying Stands

Background:

I was applying some stain to something I was making and realised that if I put the painted side down (with lack of forethought I'd painted all over) it would stick to whatever surface I laid it on. I remembered seeing painters pyramids or lifts on Amazon so I thought I'd knock up some quick and cheap ones.

These raise the painted surface off the surface underneath and only need a minimal contact with the painted surface allowing air to flow and all surfaces to dry evenly.

Required Items

• Screw cap from soda bottle
• Short screw ( used 3x10mm as I had some lying about)
• Fine drill bit (2 or 3mm depending on your screw)
• Drill
• Screwdriver suitable for the screw used.
• (optional) hot glue gun

If you don't have a drill and suitable drill bit handy you could probably use a thin nail to make the hole.

Note: You'll want to make a minimum of 3 stands for them to be effective so try and use the same height bottle caps and same height screws else you could end up with a bit of a wobbly set of stands.

Step 1: Make a Hole

Using the drill and the correct size bit for your screw drill a hole in the centre of the bottle cap. You need very little pressure or speed to do this so be careful.

If you don't have a drill and suitably sized bit you could use a hammer and nail to make the hole. The nail should be of a suitable width for the screw used.

(Obvious) Tips

• Best to do this on a surface that you don't mind making a hole in e.g. a piece of scrap wood.
• Don't do it over parts of your body (just in case).

Step 2: Drive the Screw Through the Hole

Using a suitable screwdriver for the screw you are using, drive the screw through the bottom of the bottle cap till the screw is all the way in and the point protrudes from the top of the bottle cap. (See picture)

Step 3: (Optional) Dab a Spot of Hot Glue on the Tip

If you are worried that the tip of the screw will damage the surface that you will rest on it you can dab a spot of hot glue on the end of the screw to give it a softer end that is less likely to mark the surface.

Step 4: Possible Improvements

These are quick and dirty devices but could be improved with a bit of work.

A couple of possible improvements:

• Use short round headed bolts with 2 nuts to hold in place. This would present a rounded surface that would be less likely to mark or damage the painted piece.
• Fill the bottle cap with plaster/cement etc. to give it a bit of weight so it is less likely to stick to the painted surface.