Last time on CC Mini Projects we built a Rambler hub cap clock. This time we will try something a little more practical for our garage decorations.
I did not have a great place to store my shop towel in the garage. In the middle of a project I would often leave it on the floor next to the tools which inevitably led to it getting misplaced right when I needed it most. I had a couple pistons of unknown origin that I had liberated from a dumpster a few years ago. Why not use them to create a paper towel holder?
Step one was to find a sturdy base. This bit of wood was left over from a yard project and at 10″ wide proved to be perfect.
The salvaged pistons and a light metal rod that was previously headed to scrap metal recycling completed the raw materials.
The wooden base was shorted and then four holes drilled into it. A drill press would have been better but a steady hand and a hand drill works as well. I drilled the bottom side larger to allow a nut to be placed on the end of the piston bolt but if the holes are reasonably snug this step is not required.
Assembly is extremely simple.
Pistons can be tilted either direction or welded upright depending on preference. The base could be painted but I like the raw wood look myself. Decorative and practical using nothing but junk lying around.
Nice. I wonder how Stephanie would feel about one in the kitchen? 🙂
Is anyone going to ID those pistons?
Alberta should go back to a slightly updated (colour scheme, for one) version of that plate.
I built a flower box out of an old valve cover.
I like it!
Hilarious. And crafty.
You’ve got the makings of a sellable novelty here. I’d pay $20 for one.
Probably not enough profit in it by the time you source the pistons to make it worthwhile.
Nice one Dave, perfect functional garage art