Carpentry and Woodworking - design of a wishing well
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09-16-01, 06:31 AM
I want to build a small wishing well to fit over my well head that is visuable in our front yard. Some common demisions would be appreciated. We are constructing this out of wood using mostly 2x4's. Thanks, Mike
fewalt
09-17-01, 12:58 AM
Mike,
A wishing well could just about be any size you wish. Most I've seen are in the 3 to 4 ft. square range. A couple PT 4x4 posts could support a roof for your project. PT 1x4s can be used for 'well' section. Here are some thoughts you might want to consider: 1)any digging for posts set in the ground run the risk of cutting your electric or water supply line. 2)without setting posts you run the risk of your well blowing over. 3)if you need pump/well service, your structure will most likely have to be taken down.
Your best bet may be simply putting some shrubs in front of your wellhead and building the wishing well somewhere else.
just a few thoughts,
fred
A wishing well could just about be any size you wish. Most I've seen are in the 3 to 4 ft. square range. A couple PT 4x4 posts could support a roof for your project. PT 1x4s can be used for 'well' section. Here are some thoughts you might want to consider: 1)any digging for posts set in the ground run the risk of cutting your electric or water supply line. 2)without setting posts you run the risk of your well blowing over. 3)if you need pump/well service, your structure will most likely have to be taken down.
Your best bet may be simply putting some shrubs in front of your wellhead and building the wishing well somewhere else.
just a few thoughts,
fred
09-23-01, 03:10 PM
Mike,
I just built a small wishing well for my yard that may work, I do not have drawn up plans but I think I can help you somewhat.
I purchased about ten 2x4 studs but didn't need that many in reality. I also purchased a 8X4 sheet of 1/4" plywood but only needed about half that for the roof.
First thing I did was create a lower octogan ring, I cut 8 pieces each 9" in length,(longer lengths make for a wider well) I then mitered the ends to 22.5 degrees, I put them together with screws to make the bottom ring. I then started cuting 9" lengths of 2x4 and built up the well section using only four sections per layer. Build it up as high as you want by adding more layers, it kind of gives it a weave look from the side,
_-_-_-_- should look something like this, each layer overlaps the space between the layer it sits on.
The roof was alittle more difficult for me as I had no plans but I made the roof frame wide enough to reach over the sides of the well section, about 2ft square. I cut the 1/4" plywood into about 28" by 8 inches wide, and stapled them from bottom to top to give it a wooded shingle effect.
You can probably find some wishing well plans for free on the net by looking at : http://www.woodprojects.com
I hope this helps some, mine turned out great. I've even been thinking of building a couple more to sell.
Mark Theis
I just built a small wishing well for my yard that may work, I do not have drawn up plans but I think I can help you somewhat.
I purchased about ten 2x4 studs but didn't need that many in reality. I also purchased a 8X4 sheet of 1/4" plywood but only needed about half that for the roof.
First thing I did was create a lower octogan ring, I cut 8 pieces each 9" in length,(longer lengths make for a wider well) I then mitered the ends to 22.5 degrees, I put them together with screws to make the bottom ring. I then started cuting 9" lengths of 2x4 and built up the well section using only four sections per layer. Build it up as high as you want by adding more layers, it kind of gives it a weave look from the side,
_-_-_-_- should look something like this, each layer overlaps the space between the layer it sits on.
The roof was alittle more difficult for me as I had no plans but I made the roof frame wide enough to reach over the sides of the well section, about 2ft square. I cut the 1/4" plywood into about 28" by 8 inches wide, and stapled them from bottom to top to give it a wooded shingle effect.
You can probably find some wishing well plans for free on the net by looking at : http://www.woodprojects.com
I hope this helps some, mine turned out great. I've even been thinking of building a couple more to sell.
Mark Theis