Hello dear readers and the inhabitants of our site!
This article will be interesting to all lovers of indoor plants, and unusual interior design.
In it, the author of the channel "Cactus! Workshop" shows how he made an original vintage suspension for a pot with a plant. Most importantly, the suspension is smart! It is equipped with an indicator of the degree of watering of the plant. Moreover, the indicator works without batteries.
Yes, the set of tools with which this homemade product is made is minimal. Even in home conditions, you can implement this project. And the time spent on manufacturing is no more than an hour. Only some elements will have to be hunted.
Instruments, used by the author.
- Screwdriver
- Wrenches, hammer
- Sandpaper
- Vise, clamps
- Forstner drill
- Clamping clamps.
Materials necessary for homemade.
- Flywheel from an old foot-operated sewing machine
- Kanter (manual spring scales)
- Two boards from a pallet
- A counterweight from a watch weighing about 2 Kg. Should be approximately equal to the weight of the potted plant
- A pair of mounting plates
- Self-tapping screws
- Bolt M6 - M10 (size is not important)
- Rough rope
- Machine oil.
Here are all the necessary elements for the project.
Manufacturing process.
First of all, the author parses the pulley mechanism. Unscrews the locking screw, and tries to remove the flange. Of course, he "stuck" to the axis, it was not possible to remove it manually.
Simply knocks the sleeve out while holding the structure in weight by the flange.
The axis is also knocked out.
With a wrench, unscrews the rod mount and removes it. Then disassembles the sleeve.
Next, the author proceeds to the manufacture of the base. Folds two boards together, tries on mounting plates, fixes with clamps.
Marks for mounting screws and suspension groove.
With a screwdriver, he selects a groove with a Forstner drill and trimmed with a chisel.
With a thin drill, it makes holes for the screws according to the marking (so that when they are screwed in, the wood does not burst). Fixes the plate with screws.
The reverse side of the base is ready, removes the clamps, flips, screws the flange.
Tries on a wheel and a stock, everything seems to fit.
Lubricates the axis of the rod, sets in place on the wheel, clamps the locking screw.
Just a couple of drops of engine oil in the flange hub and on the wheel axle.
He puts the flywheel in place, clamps the locking screw with a key.
The flywheel and stock are in place, now the author is trying on the canter.
Unbends the staff ring on the cantor, also removes the hook. Then he makes two small rings, clamps them in the right places.
Connects the canter to the stem, marks the place for fastening.
Using a screwdriver with a tap, cuts the thread, and fixes the second ring of the canter with a bolt.
Everything, the main part of the mechanism is ready, hangs it on the wall. Then he tries on how the weight of the counterweight and the pot with the plant will be located.
It also checks the operation of the spring balance in an upright position.
One of the last and main stages of this homemade product is its proper setting.
You need to properly balance both sides of the suspension. The weight of the author weighs 1906 grams, and the pot of earth and flower is less, only 1356 grams. The author originally compensates for the weight of the pot using decorative pebbles. Adds them to a weight slightly larger than that of the kettlebell to shift the “zero” on the scales and keep them in a slightly taut state. And now the plant is not watered.
Ties a counterweight weight to one end of the rope. Then he winds a coarse rope in two turns around the flywheel, and hangs the pot.
Now you can water the plant. You can immediately see how the scale readings change.
The ratio of the readings of the scales to real, due to the lever created by the mechanism is 6: 1.
Simply put, if you water a flower with 1 liter of water, it will show 6 kg on the scales.
Regarding the optimization of this mechanism. It is quite easy to attach a valve and a container of water to it, which will automatically open at the right time.
Thanks to the author for a very interesting and beautiful idea for the interior!
I left to look for a flywheel. Fair!
All creative inspiration!