Vase for actual flowers

[David Bolson]

I have made vases that could be used for dry flowers and I have made smaller vases with test tubes (1” x 6”) and a plastic rain gauge (about 8” x 1.75”) that can be filled with water.

My question is, is there a way to finish the inside of a vase so that you can fill it with water and flowers? The water would have to be able to sit for a week or so, be able to be rinsed, and used again.

David

 

[hockenbery]

My question is, is there a way to finish the inside of a vase so that you can fill it with water and flowers? The water would have to be able to sit for a week or so, be able to be rinsed, and used again.
David

Yes

John Williams in our club use epoxy.
He makes wooden sinks and useable vases that hold water

Here is his method

View: https://youtu.be/GI1oo0zwP7I

 

[hockenbery]

Also a few people in our club have used grill rotisserie motors to rotate pieces to level the epoxy.
For one piece at a time this works.

 

[David Bolson]

Wow, that’s quite an impressive set-up.

 

[Dean Center]

I have also used epoxy on goblets and a couple of vases. The vases were used outdoors at a cemetery and only lasted a year, but that may not have been the fault of the epoxy.

 

[Richard Shelby]

I use a glass insert.

 

[Don Wattenhofer]

This is an idea I tried once but never actually put water in it. The plastic cup is seated in the threaded plug with an interference fit and when the plug is screwed in the rim of the cup is also an interference fit

 

[Darryn Achall]

I use a glass insert.

12" tall flowerpot with glass insert, filled with water and monstera leaves

 

[David Bolson]

Richard, Darryn - What size glass inserts do you use?

 

[Darryn Achall]

Richard, Darryn - What size glass inserts do you use?

The glass is 8" tall by 2.5" diameter. Made several from palm wax candles. After the candles have been burned, I clean the glass and recycle into vases. The vase is hollowed all the way down, but I leave a little shelf at the proper height for the glass to sit on.

I have made pieces 5" x 3" with a small jar inside. You can cut off a wine or olive oil bottle with a glass cutter. These are one off and not production work. Key is to get a suitable glass first, then plan your wood piece to fit the glass.

 

[Richard Shelby]

Search "glass bud vase" they come in all sizes. I use 2"x 6,5"

 

[Steve Bonny]

Modern wooden boats are typically sealed with epoxy. If you surf around their websites you will find lots of suitable products that should work for a vase. They typically add another finish over the top for UV protection, but likely not needed for this.

 

[William Rogers]

I use glass inserts. I have bought some them from Hobby Lobby and recently I bought some glass canister for spaghetti at Meijer that was perfect for the size vase I was making.

 

[Rusty Nesmith]

I used plastic tubing. I made a 12” tall vase and couldn’t find a glass one long enough. The plastic I can make any length I want.

 

[Tom Gall]

Rusty, I used to use plastic tubes many years ago. I would recommend mounting the tube on the lathe and sand the saw kerf marks smooth. If you really want to jazz it up - sand through very high grits (1000+) and then use a plastic polish. Another option - use a micro-torch and melt the edge to a smooth surface.

 

[Doug Freeman]

I’ve used various types of glassware (from $ general and other thrift stores) and made the wooden vase “fit” around it at the bottom and the top, with the top extending out 1/2” or so like the pics above. Allows the glassware to be easily removed and replaced. I put a chamfer in the bottom to help guide it into place. You dont want to leave a thick wall and chance wood cracking, just depends on the desired external shape.