Weighting a Wooden Pedestal Base

Robert E. Lewis wrote:
> A friend has moved into a new house and needs some nice, simple pedestals to
> hold things around the place. I'm going to make him a couple out of some
> 1/2-inch birch plywood, just square columns of varying heights for things
> like lamps, a globe, sculpture, etc. (if he insists on painting them, I'll
> probably switch to MDF for any subsequent ones).
>
> I expect the columns will be pretty lightweight, and with something like an
> expensive, heavy stained-glass lamp resting on it and the pedestal on cushy
> carpet, I'm wondering if I need to weight down the base somehow, and if so,
> what's the best reasonably-priced way to do that.
>
> I could just pour a slug of plaster in the bottom of each pedestal, but I'm
> concerned it might shrink when it dries and come loose inside.
>
> Suggestions?
>
>
> Thanks
>
> --
>
> Robert



plaster shrinks a little. I'd be more inclined to use sand bags,
though, because you can easily adjust the weight, as well as take the
weight out entirely for moving them around.

Thanks to all for the replies.

I could use lead weights -- I've got a big box of old lead weights from my
grandfather, who used to make cast nets, and fix it with some epoxy. Or I
could use gravel with some epoxy, couldn't I?

The sandbags approach might work best for me.

Thanks again.

--

Robert

Sat, Aug 13, 2005, 10:59pm (EDT+4) [email protected]
(Robert=A0E.=A0Lewis) doth query:
A friend has moved <snip>
Suggestions?

Just posted a plan, and saw this thread. Now you know how to get
rid of sawdust.



JOAT
Whoever said a bad day fishing is better than a good day at work never
had thier boat sink.
- Unknown

Put foam rubber border 1" thick, 6" high around the interior perimeter. Pour
plaster in bag, drop it in. It will dry in the shape of the perimeter. As it
shrinks, the foam will take up the slack . . .


"Robert E. Lewis" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> A friend has moved into a new house and needs some nice, simple pedestals
to
> hold things around the place. I'm going to make him a couple out of some
> 1/2-inch birch plywood, just square columns of varying heights for things
> like lamps, a globe, sculpture, etc. (if he insists on painting them, I'll
> probably switch to MDF for any subsequent ones).
>
> I expect the columns will be pretty lightweight, and with something like
an
> expensive, heavy stained-glass lamp resting on it and the pedestal on
cushy
> carpet, I'm wondering if I need to weight down the base somehow, and if
so,
> what's the best reasonably-priced way to do that.
>
> I could just pour a slug of plaster in the bottom of each pedestal, but
I'm
> concerned it might shrink when it dries and come loose inside.
>
> Suggestions?
>
>
> Thanks
>
> --
>
> Robert
>
>

On Sat, 13 Aug 2005 22:59:27 GMT, "Robert E. Lewis"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>A friend has moved into a new house and needs some nice, simple pedestals to
>hold things around the place. I'm going to make him a couple out of some
>1/2-inch birch plywood, just square columns of varying heights for things
>like lamps, a globe, sculpture, etc. (if he insists on painting them, I'll
>probably switch to MDF for any subsequent ones).
>
>I expect the columns will be pretty lightweight, and with something like an
>expensive, heavy stained-glass lamp resting on it and the pedestal on cushy
>carpet, I'm wondering if I need to weight down the base somehow, and if so,
>what's the best reasonably-priced way to do that.
>
>I could just pour a slug of plaster in the bottom of each pedestal, but I'm
>concerned it might shrink when it dries and come loose inside.
>
>Suggestions?
>
>
>Thanks

Consider iron ore pellets, gravel, sand. Although, there would be a
mess if the pedestal should ever break open. The moisture from the
plaster will cause the wood to swell.

Robert E. Lewis wrote:
> A friend has moved into a new house and needs some nice, simple
> pedestals to hold things around the place. I'm going to make him a
> couple out of some 1/2-inch birch plywood, just square columns of
> varying heights for things like lamps, a globe, sculpture, etc. (if
> he insists on painting them, I'll probably switch to MDF for any
> subsequent ones).
>
> I expect the columns will be pretty lightweight, and with something
> like an expensive, heavy stained-glass lamp resting on it and the
> pedestal on cushy carpet, I'm wondering if I need to weight down the
> base somehow, and if so, what's the best reasonably-priced way to do
> that.
>
> I could just pour a slug of plaster in the bottom of each pedestal,
> but I'm concerned it might shrink when it dries and come loose inside.
>
> Suggestions?

Use lead shot and epoxy instead of plaster. No, the lead isn't
dangerous.

--
dadiOH
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"Robert E. Lewis" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> I could just pour a slug of plaster in the bottom of each pedestal, but
> I'm
> concerned it might shrink when it dries and come loose inside.
>
> Suggestions?

Are there openings in the base? If so, sandbags would be good.

"dadiOH" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> Use lead shot and epoxy instead of plaster. No, the lead isn't
> dangerous.
>

But what if they have kids the one of them overturns the table and starts
chewing on the lead shot? It "could" happen so we should have a law to
prohibit lead used as pedestal weights.

SAVE OUR CHILDREN. BAN LEAD WEIGHTS IN TABLES.