DIY Planter

How do you build a simple DIY planter stand?

This is a basic timber planter stand made from lengths of 1.2cm × 1.2cm pine and held together entirely with Selleys Fix & Go Araldite 5 Minute — no screws, no nails, no joinery. It suits any DIY skill level, and the only real technique involved is mixing a two-part epoxy in small enough batches that it does not set on you.

The design is two square frames — a top and a bottom — joined by four longer uprights, with the pot dropping through the top frame so its lip rests on the edge.

What you need

• Selleys Fix & Go Araldite 5 Minute
• 1.2cm × 1.2cm pine
• 4 clamps
• Secateurs
• Nail polish remover or acetone
• A mitre saw or hand saw

Steps

1. Cut your timber

Cut your pieces to size using a mitre or hand saw. You will need eight pieces the same size for the top and bottom frames, then four pieces approximately 5cm longer than your pot for the sides of the stand.

Size the frame so the pot fits through it but the lip of the planter sits on the edge — that lip is what carries the weight, so measure it before you cut.

2. Glue your timber together

1. Snap out the reusable cap and nip off the end of the Fix & Go Araldite 5 Minute syringe with secateurs.
2. Squeeze out equal portions of the adhesive and mix them thoroughly.
3. Apply the adhesive to both surfaces you are joining, so that you end up with two squares. Clamp and let set for five minutes.
4. Wipe off any excess adhesive with acetone or nail polish remover to clean it up.

The tip that matters: mix the epoxy in small portions, because it sets within five minutes. You do not want the adhesive setting before you have had a chance to use it.

3. Assemble the planter

1. Pop the four side pieces onto the base frame, then lay the top frame on top.
2. Using the Fix & Go Araldite 5 Minute epoxy, apply to both sides of the longer pieces to join the two squares.
3. Clamp and let it dry for at least 16 hours to achieve maximum bond strength.
4. Wipe off the end of the syringe and put the reusable cap back on, so the product stores well for another project.

What the epoxy figures mean in practice

Technology	Two-part epoxy
Set time	5 minutes
Working time once mixed	2–3 minutes at 20°C
Initial bond time	30 minutes — do not apply undue strain
Maximum bond strength	After 16 hours
Bond strength	Holds up to 75 kg/cm² when fully cured on steel
Temperature resistance	Bond softens above 60°C; strength returns when temperature drops
Clean up	Acetone, while uncured

Indicative data only, not intended for the preparation of specifications.

Two to three minutes of working time is the constraint that shapes the whole build. That is how long the mixed epoxy stays usable at 20°C, which is why the instruction to mix small portions is not optional advice — it is the difference between eight clean joints and a lump of set epoxy on your bench. Mix enough for one or two joints at a time.

Five minutes sets it; 16 hours makes it strong. The frames can be unclamped after five minutes so you can move on to assembly, but do not apply undue strain in the first 30 minutes, and the finished stand should be left clamped for at least 16 hours before it carries a pot. A planted pot with wet soil in it is a real load, and epoxy is at a fraction of its final strength at the five-minute mark.

Allow longer bonding times in colder weather. If you are working in a cold garage in winter, extend every figure above.

Apply the adhesive to both surfaces. Epoxy has some gap-filling ability but works best with both faces wetted out, which is what the guide specifies. Abrade, clean and dry the surfaces first — a clean, roughened surface gives the mechanical key the bond relies on.

Stepping up to a larger stand

For a bigger or heavier planter, Araldite Super Strong Epoxy Adhesive is the heavier-duty option — designed for load bearing repairs, broken furniture, woodworking and concrete repair, with a crystal-clear finish. It holds up to 150 kg/cm² when fully cured on a clean, abraded copper surface, with the same 5-minute set, 30-minute initial bond and 16-hour maximum bond time.

If you would rather have a longer working window than a faster set, Araldite Extra Time gives 60 minutes to position everything before it goes off — worth considering if you want to glue all eight frame joints in one session rather than in pairs.

Limitations — what to be aware of

• Will not bond PTFE, polyethylene or polypropylene plastics. Not an issue for pine, but relevant if you adapt the design.
• The bond softens above 60°C, though strength is restored when the temperature returns to normal. A planter on a shaded verandah is fine; one against a west-facing wall in a Queensland summer is being asked more.
• The product may discolour if exposed to UV. Keep the glue lines tight, or paint or finish the stand.
• Pretest on leather and rubber to determine suitability.
• This is not a structural adhesive. The stand carries a pot; it is not a piece of furniture anyone should sit on or climb.
• Weather. Epoxy is not the same as a weatherproof timber glue. For a stand that lives permanently outdoors, seal or paint the timber, since the pine itself will fail long before the joints do.

Handling and storage

Do not use the plastic blister to mix the product — dispense equal parts onto a clean disposable surface and mix thoroughly with a spatula. Clean up uncured Araldite with acetone. Store the syringe in a cool dry place with the reusable cap on the nozzle.

Common questions about the DIY planter

How many pieces of timber do I need?

Eight pieces the same size for the top and bottom frames, plus four pieces approximately 5cm longer than your pot for the sides.

How big should the frame be?

Wide enough for the pot to fit through, but small enough that the lip of the planter sits on the edge of the frame — that lip carries the weight.

How long does the epoxy take to set?

Five minutes. But the mixed adhesive is only usable for two to three minutes at 20°C, so mix small portions.

How long before I can put a pot on it?

Leave the assembled stand clamped for at least 16 hours, which is when maximum bond strength is reached. Do not apply undue strain within the first 30 minutes of any joint.

Do I glue both surfaces?

Yes — apply the mixed adhesive to both surfaces of the joint, then bring them together.

How do I clean up excess epoxy?

Acetone or nail polish remover, while it is still uncured.

Can I save the rest of the syringe?

Yes. Wipe the end of the syringe and put the reusable cap back on, then store it in a cool dry place.

Do I need clamps?

Four clamps are listed, and they matter — epoxy needs the joint held still while it sets. Tape or weights will do at a pinch.

Can I leave the planter outside?

The epoxy bond softens above 60°C and the product may discolour with UV exposure, so a shaded spot is better than full sun. Seal or paint the pine if it lives outdoors permanently.

What if I need more working time?

Araldite Extra Time gives 60 minutes rather than two to three, which suits gluing several joints in one go.

Why does my epoxy set before I finish spreading it?

You mixed too much. The pot life is two to three minutes at 20°C, and it is shorter when the mixed pool is deep, because the reaction generates its own heat. Spread it thin and mix in small batches.