Things You'll Need
- 6 to 8 same-diameter coffee cans
- 2 plywood squares, 36" by 36" by 1/4"
- Chalk line
- Hot melt glue gun, clear glue sticks
- Carpenters' pencil
- Yardstick
- Jigsaw
- 2 carpet squares, 36" by 36"
- Marking pen
- Utility knife
- Instant adhesive
- Carpet adhesive
- 6mm or larger diameter sisal, jute or hemp cord
Instructions
Make the Pole and Base
Collect 6 to 8 same-diameter coffee cans. Discard the lids.
Snap a chalk line from the top right corner to the bottom left corner on one of the 36-inch plywood squares. Snap a second chalk line from the top left corner to the bottom right corner to form an X.
Center a coffee can on the point where the two lines cross. Secure the can to the plywood using a hot melt glue gun and clear glue sticks
Stack a second coffee can on top of the first, making them flush with one another. Secure the cans to each other using hot melt glue. Allow glue to cool to room temperature.
Continue adding coffee cans to the stack, allowing the hot melt glue to cool between each one.
Make the Resting Pad
Mark along all four edges of the second 36-inch plywood square at 12 and 24 inches with a carpenters' pencil.
Lay a yardstick across the square from right to left at the 12-inch marks. Mark the 12- and 24-inch points along the yardstick, even with the right and left edge marks.
Lay the yardstick across the 24-inch edge marks on the right and left sides. Mark the 12- and 24-inch points along the yardstick, even with the right and left edge marks.
Connect the 12-inch mark on the right edge with the 12-inch mark at center right by drawing a line with the carpenters' pencil. Connect the 24-inch mark along the right edge of the board with the 24-inch mark at center right.
Connect the 12-inch and 24-inch points at center right with a pencil line.
Connect the 12-inch mark on the left edge of the board with the 12-inch mark at center left, using a carpenters' pencil. Connect the 24-inch mark along the left edge with the 24-inch mark at center left.
Connect the 12-inch and 24-inch points at center left with another pencil line.
Cut from the 12-inch point along the right edge of the board to the 12-inch point at center right with a jigsaw. Saw between the 24-inch points from right edge to center right.
Saw from the 12-inch point at center right to the 24-inch point at center right.
Repeat steps 8 and 9 for the points along the left edge and center left. When you finish, the square should look like an "H," with two 12-inch by 36-inch sides connected by a 12-inch square.
Finish the Pole
Lay one 36-inch carpet square face down. Lay the plywood "H," on top, with corners flush. Use a marking pen to sketch the cutout areas onto the carpet backing. Cut through the backing along the marked areas with a utility knife. The carpet remnants can be saved for later use in other projects.
Apply instant adhesive to the lip of the top coffee can in the stack. Place the cut plywood sheet on top of the stacked coffee cans and press down. This will create a temporary hold.
Secure the stack of glued cans to the underside of the plywood using hot melt glue. Allow to cool before proceeding.
Apply carpet adhesive to the top plywood sheet. Press the cut carpet into place.
Measure from each corner of the bottom plywood sheet to the edge of the coffee can pole. Mark position of the pole on the underside of the second 36-inch carpet square. Cut a hole at the marked points, the same diameter as the coffee can pole. Make a slit in the carpet from one side to the hole in the center.
Apply carpet adhesive to the bottom plywood sheet. Lay the carpet around the pole and press into place.
Apply carpet adhesive to the pole and wrap with 6mm or larger diameter sisal, jute or hemp cord.