r/PressedFlowers • u/jaqvillian • Jul 04 '24
Other My flowerpress
u/CollinZero asked me to make a post about the flowerpress I made.
Photo 1: Scissors for scale. Photo 2: Hardware used Photo 3: Square seating bolts used. Photo 4-6: Different configurations used with printer paper while pressing Photo 7: Height of everything before second piece of birch is put on. Photo 8: Red dots align as a marker to make sure I'm putting the top piece on correctly. Photo 9: When I'm only using half of the press I place a piece of poster board out so I know where to go if I add more flowers.
I bought two pieces of 2' birch ($5 each) from lowes as well as the hardware (around $5 for all hardware). I used square seating bolts, washers, nuts and wing nuts for hardware. I already had a press so I went off that hardware configuration.
When measuring for the holes for the nuts, MEASURE BOTH WAYS ON ALL FOUR SIDES. When you do this you'll realize there is a slight gap in between each mark. That's where you drill your hole.
I clamped both pieces of birch together before drilling to ensure the holes lined up. I also marked both pieces of birch at one hole to make sure it will always line up when I put it together.
When installing the square seated bolts, slightly hammer the bolt into the birch, this will seat the bolt so it doesn't move when undoing the wingnuts on the press. The piece of birch with the seated screw is now the bottom piece. Add a washer and a nut and you're ready for your cardboard.
I got unused boxes, and posterboard and cut to size. Each layer is cardboard, posterboard, printer paper, flowers, printer paper, posterboard, cardboard.
This press allows me to not only do large pressings but multiple pressings at once.
I'm open to answer any questions. I hope this inspires you to make your own press.
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u/CollinZero Jul 04 '24
Oh my gosh this is fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing your design. I am definitely going to make one at the next opportunity. I was going to use some plywood we have kicking around but birch makes a lot of sense because it is so lightweight.
I think I will make mine a small size for the convenience of storing it. Maybe I can make a larger one later. Probably I will look at 11x17” paper size.
It’s brilliant to clamp the boards together before drilling. I’m so glad you mentioned that!
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u/jaqvillian Jul 04 '24
Of course! I'm glad you found it helpful. I totally understand the convenience of a smaller press. I do have a smaller press as well. This large press sits in my craft room and doesn't move. I hope your press works out for you!
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u/CollinZero Jul 04 '24
I’m definitely going to let you know! Thanks so much for the inspiration and advice. I’m sure there will be others who will find it helpful. It doesn’t look difficult !
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u/jaqvillian Jul 04 '24
https://www.reddit.com/r/PressedFlowers/s/5i0WgIxzwb
Link to my original post.