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Step 8Form the "Flower Bed"
The flower bed, in which the flower, solar panel, and USB cable are mounted, is made of a piece of scrap wood. A piece of half inch to 3/4 inch wood of any type should work fine. Alternatively, you could use several layers of foam-core poster board, which can be cut with a knife.
Start by measuring the inside diameter of the planter, about half an inch to 3/4 inch from the lip. Transfer this measurement to the wood using a compass. It's important to be very accurate, or it won't fit properly in the planter.
The edge of the "flower bed" must be cut at an angle so that it wedges in place. This angle can be easily set on the scroll saw or band saw. Simply set the planter on the scroll saw table next to the blade, and adjust the angle of the table until the blade is parallel to the sloped edge of the planter.
Now, cut out the circle you drew on the wood, following the line as closely as possible. Make sure the wood is being cut so that the bottom side ends up being narrower than the top.
Test-fit the wood flower bed in the pot - it should fit snugly about a half inch below the lip. In fact, it may even take a few whacks to get it back out!
When you're satisfied with the fit, move on to the drill press. Select a bit that matches the diameter of the flower stem as closely as possible, but not smaller. Drill one hole in the very center of the wood for the flower, and one about 3/4" from the edge for the solar panel. Then, drill a third, smaller hole that matches the diameter of the USB cable close to the hole for the solar panel. (this is optional - you can hide the USB cable inside the pot if you want to)
Test-fit the flower stem in the hole. It should be snug. If the stem doesn't go through, widen the hole very slightly using a file or some sandpaper wrapped around a nail.
Now, stick the flower and the solar panel into the flower bed, so the plastic stems protrude about 1/4" below the bottom of the wood. Adjust the angle of the flower and solar panel, and then glue them in place on the underside of the wood with hot glue. Thread the USB cable through its hole, so the plug sticks out of the "ground", and glue it in place as well.
Start by measuring the inside diameter of the planter, about half an inch to 3/4 inch from the lip. Transfer this measurement to the wood using a compass. It's important to be very accurate, or it won't fit properly in the planter.
The edge of the "flower bed" must be cut at an angle so that it wedges in place. This angle can be easily set on the scroll saw or band saw. Simply set the planter on the scroll saw table next to the blade, and adjust the angle of the table until the blade is parallel to the sloped edge of the planter.
Now, cut out the circle you drew on the wood, following the line as closely as possible. Make sure the wood is being cut so that the bottom side ends up being narrower than the top.
Test-fit the wood flower bed in the pot - it should fit snugly about a half inch below the lip. In fact, it may even take a few whacks to get it back out!
When you're satisfied with the fit, move on to the drill press. Select a bit that matches the diameter of the flower stem as closely as possible, but not smaller. Drill one hole in the very center of the wood for the flower, and one about 3/4" from the edge for the solar panel. Then, drill a third, smaller hole that matches the diameter of the USB cable close to the hole for the solar panel. (this is optional - you can hide the USB cable inside the pot if you want to)
Test-fit the flower stem in the hole. It should be snug. If the stem doesn't go through, widen the hole very slightly using a file or some sandpaper wrapped around a nail.
Now, stick the flower and the solar panel into the flower bed, so the plastic stems protrude about 1/4" below the bottom of the wood. Adjust the angle of the flower and solar panel, and then glue them in place on the underside of the wood with hot glue. Thread the USB cable through its hole, so the plug sticks out of the "ground", and glue it in place as well.
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