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The four reinforced sheets of mesh we used are standard sized, 1800mm x 1000mm, and can be purchased at Bunnings. Set two of the sheets aside as these will be used for the front and back of the stand. The other two pieces will be cut into sections and welded to the first two sheets to form the centre of the stand.
Lay your other two pieces of mesh down lengthways. Take the measurements of your pots and transfer to the mesh sheets by marking on the vertical rods, which in our case was 150mm in from the top.
Use bolt cutters to cut where you've marked on the mesh until you have one 1800mm long section. This will be the first of six middle sections.
To make another section, use the bolt cutters to cut the excess metal for a straight edge, making sure you don't break the pre-existing welds. Then repeat steps 3–5 on the rest of the mesh, so that you end up with six sections. These will be welded to the front and back panels to create the body of the stand.
To start the welding process, place a non-flammable material, for example, cement sheeting, onto the workbench. Then lay down one of the 1800mm x 1000mm mesh panels lengthways on your work surface. Make sure the shorter 137mm rods are facing upwards because these will be your welding points. It also gives you the correct spacing for the middle sections that you'll be welding on.
Working from the outside edge, line up the 1800mm edge of your sections with the 1800mm edge of your mesh panel and clamp into position, making sure the sections point upwards.
Once you've clamped the first section into place, use the magnetic welding clamps to make sure the sections sit at 90 degrees while you're welding.
Remember, safety equipment is vital when welding. Wear a leather apron, welding gloves, a welding mask, long-sleeve top and have a fire extinguisher nearby.
Before you start welding, warm up the welding rod on a metal offcut. This will make the job flow better while you weld.
Weld the joints of the first rod to the mesh panel at the intersections.
When you've finished welding the first middle section, line-up and weld the other sections to the mesh following steps 7–10. You should end up with a panel that resembles a bed of nails with the middle sections pointing up.
Place the second mesh panel on top of the first panel, lining the intersections up with the vertical sections. This time make sure the shorter rods are facing down.
Weld the first panel's sections to the second panel's intersections to complete the framework.
Use a wire brush or a slag hammer to clean and remove any slag from your welds.
While you can leave the pot plant stand outside to get a rusty look, you could also take indoors and give it a coat of paint. First paint the stand with primer and let it dry. Then, use black spray paint to cover the stand and complete the look. Once it's dry move it into position inside, put the pots in place and fill them with your favourite indoor plants and herbs.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
