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Planter box - complete (1)
I built this planter box with an incorporated seat and privacy screen - in only 10 hours with treated pine decking, lumber and hardware from Bunnings.
The boxes are 450x450 and 700mm high, the seat is 2700 long and 450 high, and the privacy screen is 1800 high by 2600 long.
For the frame, I notched all the uprights to accommodate 2 x 3600 long frames. and cut a lot of 450mm cross embers to tie the front and back together. I completed the entire screen separately and bolted it onto the frame with 6 x M10 100mm galvanised bolts.
All up it only cost about $800 with the decking costing about $500 and the frame $250. We only required one box of 500 Stainless steel 50mm decking screws which cost about $50.
All it needs now is either a stain or coat of paint, some cushions, and 2 green shrubs for the planter boxes. This was a quick and easy little weekend project that anyone with a circular saw and screwdriver (preferably electric) can do.
Materials
30 of https://www.bunnings.com.au/90-x-22mm-decking-h3-treated-pine-3-6m_p8032587
5 of https://www.bunnings.com.au/90-x-22mm-decking-h3-treated-pine-3-0m_p8032585 for the seat top.
7 of https://www.bunnings.com.au/90-x-35mm-outdoor-framing-mgp10-h3-treated-pine-3-6m_p8032153
(4 horizonals, 1.5 for screen posts)
5 of https://www.bunnings.com.au/90-x-35mm-outdoor-framing-mgp10-h3-treated-pine-3-0m_p8032151
for the rest of the frame
6 of https://www.bunnings.com.au/zenith-m10-x-100mm-hot-dipped-galvanised-cup-head-bolt-and-nut_p2443945
+ 2 washers for each bolt.
Tools
Circular Saw and Speed square
https://www.bunnings.com.au/empire-180mm-laser-etcher-rafter-square-true-blue_p0154654 This is what I use
Impact Driver & Drill
https://www.bunnings.com.au/dewalt-2-piece-18v-brushless-combo-kit_p6260457
Hammer and Chisel
https://www.bunnings.com.au/craftright-20oz-solid-claw-hammer_p0095320
https://www.bunnings.com.au/craftright-5-piece-chisel-set_p5610111 (these are the ones I use)
Steps
Step 1
Mark 4 of the 3600x90x45 pieces for use as horizontals
Step 2
Cut 2 of the other 3600x90x45 pieces into 3 1800mm lengths and mark as screen verticals
Step 3
Cut 8 x 700mm for planter box verticals & 6 x 450 for middle seat verticals being mindful to reduce waste by using the 1800mm length to create 4 of the seat verticals
Step 4
Notch all verticals on the 45mm face to accommodate the horizontals starting 35mm from the bottom and notch the verticals for the top horizontal under 450mm.
Ensure saw cuts are deep enough for the frame to be flush across the front and rear surfaces.
By using multiple cuts with the circular saw, the waste can quickly and easily be removed with a hammer and chisel by inserting the chisel and pushing backwards and forwards to snap all the small waste shards.
Step 5
Assemble front and back frames by screwing the 4 3600mm horizontals into the notched verticals. Planters are 450mm on outside width and other verticals should be evenly spaced between. Note pine is pretty soft and will not require pre-drilling, so be careful how far your screws penetrate the timber.
Step 6
Cut remaining lumber into cross braces (2 per vertical) to length to join the front and read frames such that the total depth is 450mm. (~360mm) and screw into cross braces through the 3600 horizontals and into the verticals.
Step 7
Finally, cut frame pieces to close around the planter top and put 2 cross braces under the ends of where the seat will meet the planer boxes (so you have somewhere to screw the seat down at the ends).
Step 8
Begin assembly of the screen by laying out on a flat surface the 3 1800mm posts and cover with 3600mm decking lengths. Depending on your spacing, you will need between 20 and 12 pieces of decking. Screw the top and bottom boards on first checking the entire frame is square. then use a spacer as you screw each piece of decking on starting from the top down. (keep uglier /knotty pieces for the bottom which will be behind the seat and planter boxes.)
Step 9
One screen is complete, stand upright and drill through the 3600 horizontal framing at the bottom into the 1800mm screen posts and again at the top of the planter boxes. You may need to find alternative locations to bolt through if room is limited. You will need to use an additional piece of scrap decking (~300mm long) as a backer if you bolt through the screen only.
Step 10
If decking boards are over 3600mm, try to overhang the ends by 22mm(decking thickness) to hide the boards for the side. Cut pieces to fit. It is faster to install the deck boards in one piece horizontally, however, if you prefer to go vertically, you should still have the same coverage in the quantity noted. DO be careful of waste as you want to ensure scrap pieces can all be used elsewhere.
If you have enough deck boards left, you may want to cap the planter boxes with mitre joins. Bear in mind, with 90mm deck boards covering 2 45mm frames screwed together means you will not be able to create much of a lip )if any) when planning to cap your planter boxes.
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @MichaelDIYHall. It's splendid to have you join us, and many thanks for sharing your amazing project.
What a sensational seat and planter box combo! It is incredible that you managed to finish the project in such a short time.
What type of plants are you planning on adding to the planters? Adding some wire trellis across the backboard and growing flowering vines across the space would be sensational.
Thanks again for sharing your project and including all those steps. I trust any of our members whom your project will inspire will appreciate the effort you've put in.
Mitchell
Lovely work @MichaelDIYHall.
Many thanks for sharing, and well done.
You've provided such detailed information that will be a great help to our community members.
Your article has attracted much interested and we would like to turn your project into a Featured Project article. Do you have any more pictures you could share?
It would also be great if you could share any other tips or lessons learned during your project that would assist others attempting a similar project.
Many thanks,
Wayne
