This project is so easy. I chose to do a landscape timber solar light out of reclaimed lumber. I made this for June's Power Tool Challenge Project. The original theme was a lantern, but before I could get started creating a lantern, the theme was updated to "lighting." I've always loved landscape timber solar lights but never made one.
Not long ago, I spent an entire morning cleaning up the backyard. I had several privacy fence sections that I had been weathering and random pallets and boards that I wanted to look old. I harvested all the wood, stored what I tried to keep in the woodshed, and put the unwanted items in the burn pile. These landscape timbers were just about the only wood I left in the backyard. Their original purpose was to enclose the porch swing where the new pergola went up last year. This authentic wood was installed around 1994.
My home has so much history and very fond memories! This was a massive snowstorm in 1994. In the background, you can see the latticework and the landscape timbers that held up the lattice. That would be me checking out the snow.
I grabbed the timber that was on the top of the pile. Look what I found! BW Loves GW. That was 18 years into our marriage. I used this timber for this project for old times' sake.
Cut Landscape Timber
Using the miter saw made cutting this old timber easy. You could also use a hand saw or circular saw.
Wash reclaimed timber
The old landscape timbers were dirty. I hosed them off, which made them a little chippy. The chippy look appealed to me.
Drill hole in landscape timber for solar light
Using a scrap piece of wood, I tested several drill bits to ensure it would fit the solar light well. This 11/16 bit was the best choice for this.
I grabbed some nautical rope I purchased at the dollar tree.
Wrap Landscape Timber with Rope
I wrapped the landscape timbers with the rope and tied it in the back.
Secure rope with staples
The battery-operated staple gun was used to secure the ropes. You can see the carved initials front and center in this image.
Easy DIY Landscape Timber Solar Light
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The new solar light fixture made from reclaimed landscape timbers looks perfect in my front yard with the diy picket fence in the background. This landscape timber solar light is only a few feet from its original location around the porch swing.
I'm not sure I'll keep this solar light; it just happened to be in my stash in the garage. It's fun to add pieces to solar lights like this. The Bluebird of Happiness is one of my favorite little tchotchke pieces.
Many people use the full height of the solar light fixture, but I chose not to use the full-sized stake.
You will want to check out the projects from my friends. They went all out with their creative projects, all of them making lanterns. I'm the slacker. 🙂 (most links won't work till 11:00 am EST)
My Repurposed Life - Landscape Timber Solar Light
Just the Woods - Scroll Saw DIY Lantern
H2OBungalow - DIY Wood Lantern Tutorial
Virginia Sweet Pea - Easy DIY Decorative Lantern
The Kim Six Fix - Clothespin Lantern
Her Tool Belt - Wood and Mason Jar Solar Lantern
gail
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
BeckyEv
I love this!
Sheila
Very nice! Thank you for great inspiration!!
Gail Wilson
Sheila,
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment. Somehow it slipped through the cracks, and I'm just now seeing it.
gail
Mary
Really cute.I have the same blue bird(set of three) you get the bird from Fayetteville AR?
Bonnie Hipps
Gail, love it and the initials are so sweet. This would be a awesome DIY for a beginner. Happy summer to you!
Gail Wilson
Thank you Bonnie. Young love sure is something, eh?
gail
kandice
this is great! A little extra light in the yard is always a good thing!!
Gail Wilson
Yep, even if it's just mood lighting. It does make me smile when I see it light up every night. 🙂
thanks Kandice!
gail
Paula
What a great way to use your old landscape timbers! This looks great in your yard and the extra light at night will be nice to have.
Gail Wilson
I do enjoy the extra lighting, so does my little Lulu Mae when she goes out after dark. 🙂 In the daytime, she likes to stand on the rock to get a better view over the fence. Silly girl!
gail