JMalone

I've just finished my first project and am so pleased I'm going to put up a couple of photos.
This planter box was made totally from 4x2 pine, a lot of it salvaged from building sites.
Now the good lady wants another one to match!

Since I'm really new to this woodworking caper, I'm at a bit of a loss to know what to do with the finish of the planter box.
Obviously, I'd like to have it last for a little while outside, and that's going to be a challenge with the pine.
I'm located in Arizona, US (ex-Melbourne Aussie, though...) so water isn't a major concern, but 45 C temperatures are normal in the summer.

I'd like to stain it, probably Cherry or something similar, and put a weatherproof clear gloss or semi-gloss over the top, but I need to find something that will handle the weather.

I'll take any and all suggestions.
Thanks,
John

P.S. The planter box was my introduction to learning new skills such as mortise and tenons, table saw, router, tongue and groove... etc, etc. The long term plans are to work on project for inside, but I wanted something I could hide outside if it turned out a bit rough.

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AxlMyk

Good job John.. I showed it to my wife.. She likes it too..

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kp91

John, good looking project for a first try! Hope you saved your plans for the second one.

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1 John 1:9

challagan

I like it just like it is. Put a sealer on it and I think it's good to go. Really nice work!

Corey

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bobj3

Looking good John

You did a nice job

Because it's going to be out side I would use some spar varnish the type they use on boats...two or 3 good coats..
You can get it from HD in the spray cans
Then use a plastic trash can with a drain hole in the center , for the inside to hold any plants that you may want to put in it.

John you did a great job making this one I almost hate to suggest this, but the next one you make one you may want to use the new decking boards (Trex comes to mind) it cuts like wood and will last fore every and with some stainless screws it will be around a very long time, it's made with old plastic that has been recycled into planks, it would be nice to make something that would last for a 1000 years and this stuff will, even if it's in the ground.

Plus you don't need to paint it , they make it in many colors...

I used Trex boards to make a new mail box pole about 3 years ago and stuck it in the ground and it still like new new, the old one I took out was in the ground for about 3 years and it was ready to fall over because the wood was in bad shape...4 x 4 cedar stock....

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Mike

Spar varnish with UV inhibitors is the best finish for outside projects. As far as color, you can now stain it any color you wish and have the wood grain show through, or go with an oil based exterior paint. Both are popular choices, it's up to you and the boss lady.

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Joe Lyddon

Hi John...

I like it alot too! Really pretty...

I agree with Bj and the plastic can as a liner... the wood will last a lot longer that way... You might take a look at a Borg, garden dept., for square plastic liners, built for that purpose.

The bottom, part underneath the liner, will rot first... then the legs if on the ground.
Those are the places you want the most spar varnish... I have heard of dipping the bottom 3" or so in epoxy to stop any rotting.

You did a very good job on it... Looks very nice! Thank you for showing.

BTW...

H a p p y . . B i r t h d a y !!

curiousgeorge

Hey John, Excellent first project. It came out beautiful.

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George

PLEASE! PLEASE! Fill in your first name and location in your profile. I like to know who you are and where you are from. If you don't want me to know who you are, then I don't want to talk to you.

JMalone

Thanks to all for the good ideas regarding the finish on the planter.
Thanks also for the kind remarks. Now I'm all fired up to go and make something else.

Time to make some more sawdust...
John

gregW

Nice work John...it looks like you picked a real good first project to learn from. Last year I made some outdoor railings out of redwood and finished it with a Behr premium weatherproofing wood finish from HD. Its held up pretty well and I think you can get it in different tints as well as clear.

Greg