| How to Come Out to Your Friends Posted: 18 Mar 2020 05:00 PM PDT Coming out to your friends can be scary, but it's also a really exciting time in your life. Revealing your sexuality or gender identity allows you to live the life you want, but it's normal to feel worried about how people are going to react. To make coming out to your friends easier, first decide who you feel comfortable telling. Then, plan what you want to say beforehand. Once you know what you want to say, announce your sexuality or gender identity in a way that's comfortable for you. Additionally, be prepared to handle different types of reactions. [Edit]Deciding Who to Tell - Wait until you feel ready to come out. There's no rush to come out, and you don't owe anyone an explanation about your sexuality or gender identity. Give yourself as much time as you need to get comfortable with yourself before you reveal yourself to your friends. Your coming out should be on your own terms.[1]
- In some cases, friends or family members might be asking about your sexuality or gender identity. You don't have to answer them until you're ready. You might instead say, "I'm not really worried about dating right now. Are you seeing someone?"
- Some of your friends might feel ready to come out before you, and that's okay! You don't need to come out just because someone else has. Your journey is different from theirs.
- Ask your friends about LGBTQ+ issues to see if they're accepting. It's normal to feel nervous about how your friends will react. Fortunately, you can test their reactions by seeing how they respond to LGBTQ+ topics. Bring up an LGBTQ+ character, news story, or issue, then ask your friends what they think about it. See if they seem supportive or possibly judgmental.[2]
- You might say, "What did you think of Love, Simon?" "Were you shocked when Cheryl came out as a lesbian on Riverdale?" or "I'm confused about this same sex wedding cake debate. What do you think?"
- If you're transgender or nonbinary, you might say, "Have you read about the transgender bathroom laws? What do you think?" or "Have you ever questioned your own gender identity?"
- Identify the friends you think will support you. Consider which of your friends seem supportive of same sex relationships, transgender people, and nonbinary people. Pick the people you think will be most supportive to tell first. As you tell more people, your supportive friends can be there for you as you come out to others.[3]
- It's possible that many of your friends will be supportive. However, it's okay if you just start with a single friend. What's important is that you feel comfortable with your coming out journey.
- Postpone telling people you think will judge or reject you. While it's not fair to you, some people may have trouble accepting your identity. This can be really painful, but it's important to remember that this has nothing to do with you. If you suspect someone will react negatively, wait to tell them until you're ready to deal with their reaction. Keep in mind that you never have to tell them if you don't want to.[4]
- For instance, you might have a friend who's very vocal about their negative opinions regarding LGBTQ+ issues. It's probably best not to tell them about your identity.
- If you're feeling hurt over losing friends who won't accept you, remind yourself that true friends love you for who you are. You don't need negative people in your life, and you will find friends who support you.
- Make new friends in the LGBTQ+ community if you don't have support. It's okay if you feel nervous about trying to make new friends. Don't worry about bonding with people right away. Just focus on meeting people through social events or online. Get to know them and try to make a connection. Soon, you'll have new friends who love you for who you are.[5]
- Go to LGBTQ+ events or Meetups in your area. Set a goal to meet people and say, "Hi." Over time, you'll make a few new friends.
[Edit]Planning What to Say - Write down what you want to tell your friends. Think about everything you'd like to say, then jot down the ideas that seem most important to you. Pour out your heart and say how you feel about your friends. Then, revise what you've written so that it's clear and concise.[6]
- You might write something like, "Lately, I've been dealing with a lot of conflict inside myself, but recently I realized something really important. You're one of my closest friends, so I want to be my true self around you. I hope that you'll accept me for who I am. I'm gay, and I'm ready to live my life out and proud."
- Use a positive tone to show that you're proud of who you are. Your sexuality or gender identity is part of you, so you have every right to be excited and proud to share it with people. Don't let worries about how people will react make you feel ashamed or like you're holding in a secret. As you plan what you want to say, keep your tone positive and celebratory.[7]
- For instance, use an upbeat tone of voice while you're speaking. Additionally, focus on how you're sharing your truth rather than thinking of this as a dark secret.
- Say only what feels comfortable to you. You are totally in control of what you say during your coming out. Don't feel pressured to provide personal details or to explain yourself. Decide what you're comfortable sharing, and stick to that.[8]
- You don't need to provide "proof" of your sexuality or gender identity. Similarly, you don't need to explain how you realized your identity unless you want to do so. What you share is totally up to you.
- Practice what you want to say so it's easier to share with your friends. State what you want to say aloud so you can hear how it sounds. You might also sit in front of a mirror so you can practice telling it to someone else. Keep practicing until you feel comfortable with what you want to say.[9]
- If something feels wrong, don't be afraid to change it.
- If you're already out to a family member or best friend, ask them to help you practice. For instance, you might tell them what you plan to say and get their feedback.
[Edit]Announcing Your Sexuality or Gender Identity - Tell your friends in person if you feel comfortable doing it face-to-face. If you're comfortable coming out in person, doing it one-on-one or in small groups is an awesome idea. Ask your friends to meet you in a comfortable, private location. Then, tell them what you practiced.[10]
- For instance, you might ask your friends out to dinner or could invite them over to your house.
- Use props if you want to make it playful and fun. You get to set the mood for your coming out. If you want it to be more playful than serious, try adding props to your announcement. You might use a large banner or give your friends small items or gifts with your LGBTQ+ announcement written on them. In addition to keeping it fun, props also break the ice for you! Here are some ideas:[11]
- Make a banner that says "I'm gay!" and stand under it.
- Hand out cupcakes that say "Your Friend is Bi."
- Give your friends eggs filled with glitter, then ask everyone to break them just before you make your announcement.
- Sing "I'm Coming Out" on a karaoke machine.
- Come out in a text if you're too nervous to say it in person. You might be too nervous to tell people in person, and that's totally okay! Instead, type out everything you want to say into a text. Alternatively, send your friends a fun coming out meme. In addition to helping you feel comfortable, this gives them time to process the information and come up with a response.[12]
- You could text them, "Hey, you're one of my best friends, so I wanted to tell you something really important about me. I hope that you'll accept me for who I am and be there for me. I've known for awhile that I'm a trans man, and I want to start living my life as my true self."
- Write a letter if you express yourself better on paper. A personal letter is an intimate way of expressing what you want to say without having to do it in person. Write or type all of the information you want to share as part of your coming out. Personalize letters to each of your friends so they understand how much they mean to you. Send the letters to your friends, then wait a few days before following up with everyone.[13]
- Some of your friends might reach out to you right away. If this happens, listen to what they have to say and answer questions you feel comfortable with.
- After about 2-3 days, contact friends you haven't heard from. Say something like, "I wanted to talk to you about the letter I sent you. Have you read it?"
- Make an announcement on social media to tell everyone at once. If you're comfortable with everyone knowing your sexuality or gender identity, posting on social media might be a fun, easy way to come out to everyone. Type out an emotional message if that feels right to you, or post a fun LGBTQ+ photo. Explain that you're proud of who you are and hope your friends will be supportive.[14]
- Type something like, "I feel like it's time for me to be honest with everyone. I'm gay and proud! I hope that everyone reading this can accept me for who I am and will support my coming out!"
- You could also post a pic of you in your favorite rainbow outfit, holding a sign that says, "Hey! I'm Gay!"
- Host a coming out party if you want to set a celebratory tone. If you enjoy being the center of attention, a coming out party might be the most fun way to tell your friends. Plan a party that's as big or small as you feel comfortable with. Then, invite the friends you think will be supportive. Here are some party ideas to help you come out:[15]
- Consider using rainbow decorations to signal to your friends that this is a coming out party.
- Hang a banner that announces your sexuality or gender identity if that feels right to you.
- Have a toast to give your coming out speech.
- Decorate your treats with fun coming out statements, like "Gay AF" or "Who runs my world? Girls!"
[Edit]Handling Different Reactions - Expect your friends to ask questions. Your friends are probably going to have questions, so decide what you're comfortable addressing. Don't feel pressured to answer any questions that make you uncomfortable. However, it's helpful to provide answers to topics you're open to talking about.[16]
- For instance, your friend might ask, "How long have you known you were transgender?" You might say, "I realized I was really a guy when I was 3-years-old, but I haven't felt comfortable talking about it until now." Similarly, a friend might ask, "Are you sure you're gay?" You could respond, "Yes, I'm definitely attracted to guys."
- Gently refuse to answer questions that are too personal. Let's say your friend asks about your sex life. You might say, "I'm glad you want to know me better, but that's not something I feel comfortable sharing. I hope you understand."
- Give your friends time to process your coming out. It's common for your friends to feel shocked, even if they're super supportive of the LGBTQ+ community. This doesn't mean they're pulling away or don't accept you. It's important to give them the time they need to think about what you've said and decide how to respond. Let your friends have time to think things over.[17]
- Some of your friends might immediately reach out to you, and that's awesome!
- If your friends go quiet for a few days, give them a little space. After a few days, touch base with them to see if they're open to talking. You might text them, "Hey! I just wanted to see how you were doing. Wanna chat?"
- Don't take negative responses personally. Unfortunately, some people may react negatively when you come out. This can be super painful, but it's important to remember that they aren't really rejecting you. Their reaction is about them, so try to separate yourself from it.[18]
- Take a break from people who are making you feel bad about yourself.
- If someone says a nasty comment to you, respond with something like, "I'm sorry that you hold that kind of hate in your heart," "I'm sorry you feel that way," or "It's not okay for you to say these things to me."
- Ask your friends not to tell anyone else if that's important to you. You have the right to decide who knows about your sexuality and gender identity. Your coming out should be on your own terms, so tell your friends what you're comfortable with them sharing. This will help you control your own story and decide what labels apply to you.[19]
- Say something like, "I'm telling you this because you're one of my closest friends. However, I'm not ready for everyone at school to know, so please don't tell anyone else," or "I'm planning to come out to different people at different times. Please don't discuss this with anyone else because I want to tell them in my own time."
- Focus on the positives because your identity is something to celebrate. There may be some difficult moments during your coming out process. Try not to let these issues get you down. Instead, think about what's going right in your life and how awesome it will be to finally live the life you want.[20]
- Make a gratitude list to remind yourself of what's going well. Write down 3-5 things that you're grateful for every day, then re-read your list when you're feeling down.
- Surround yourself with people who support you so you're not worrying about people who are negative.
- Don't forget about online forums! If you're not feeling supported in real life right now, look for pro-LGBTQ+ friends online. You're not alone!
- Recognize it's okay to change your label as you grow. While some people instantly know their sexuality or gender identity, it's okay if it takes you a while to fully understand who you are. Give yourself permission to be who you are on the inside, even if that means coming out again to the same group of friends. If they're the right friends for you, they'll support you every time![21]
- For instance, you might think that you're bisexual at first. However, you might later discover that you're gay. Similarly, you might think you're nonbinary but may decide that you're actually transgender. It's okay to re-label yourself!
- Make fun plans for the 2-3 days after your coming out because it may take your friends time to process what you've said. Instead of sitting around worrying about their reaction, have some fun!
- If you haven't accepted your sexuality or gender identity yet, you may be more likely to take negative reactions badly. Reach out to the LGBTQ+ community for support and to help you learn to love yourself. It also helps to see a counselor.
- Don't blame yourself if someone won't accept you. Your sexuality or gender identity is part of who you are, and you have every right to live your life on your own terms.
[Edit]Warnings - See a therapist if you're feeling anxious or depressed over being LGBTQ+ or over the responses from your friends. Your therapist can help you work through your feelings and learn to love yourself. Additionally, they'll help you build new friendships, if necessary.
- Get help immediately if someone threatens you with violence. While it's totally unfair, some people can be cruel.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make Edible Water Bubbles Posted: 18 Mar 2020 09:00 AM PDT An edible water bubble or bottle is water that has been solidified into a bubble-like shape. It is made from water, sodium alginate, and calcium lactate. If you prefer something more flavorful, you might enjoy a Japanese raindrop cake instead. The raindrop cake itself is flavorless, unless you sweeten it with vanilla sugar, or drizzle sweet syrup on top. [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Edible Water Bubbles[1] - 1 gram sodium alginate
- 5 grams food-grade calcium lactate
- 5 cups ( 1.2 L) water, divided
Serves: varies [Edit]Japanese Raindrop Cake[2] - 3/4 cup (180 mL) water
- 1/8 tsp + 1/16 tsp agar powder
Toppings - 1/2 to 1 tablespoon (2.63 to 5.25 g) roasted soybean flour (kinako)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 mL) black sugar syrup (kuromitsu)
Serves: 2 to 6 [Edit]Making Edible Water Bubbles - Mix 1 gram of sodium alginate with 1 cup (240 mL) of water. Use a kitchen or a digital scale to measure out 1 gram of sodium alginate. Place it into a bowl, then add 1 cup (240 mL) of water. Mix the 2 ingredients together using an immersion blender until the sodium alginate dissolves.
- You can purchase sodium alginate online. It is a natural ingredient that comes from brown seaweed.
- If you don't have an immersion blender, you could try a regular blender or a whisk.
- Don't worry if the mixture develops air bubbles. These will go away as you prepare the other ingredients.
- Mix 5 grams of calcium lactate with 4 cups (950 mL) of water. Pour 4 cups (950 mL) of water into a large bowl, separate from the first bowl. Add 5 grams of calcium lactate. Stir the 2 ingredients together with a spoon until the calcium lactate dissolves.
- Make sure that you are using food-grade calcium lactate. It's a type of salt used in cheese. You can buy it online.
- Add spoonfuls of sodium alginate water into the calcium lactate water. Take a deep spoon, such as a sauce ladle, and scoop up some of the sodium alginate mixture. Hold the spoon over the surface of the calcium lactate mixture, then carefully tip its contents in. Do this a few more times until the bowl is filled.
- Do not overcrowd the bowl with sodium alginate.
- Stir the mixture for 3 minutes. Use a slender spoon to gently stir the contents in the large bowl. Keep stirring for 3 minutes. This will help activate the ingredients, and cause the sodium alginate to condense into "bubble" shapes.
- Transfer the bubbles with a slotted spoon into a bowl of water. Fill a large bowl with plain water; the exact amount does not matter, as long as it is filled. Use a slotted spoon to remove the sodium alginate bubbles 1 by 1, and transfer them into the water. This will help stop the reaction.
- Scoop the bubbles from the water with a slotted spoon. Set them down onto a plate or into a bowl. At this point, you can eat, drink, or slurp the bubbles up. You can also give them to young children to play with as a sensory activity!
- Because these bubbles don't contain much, don't expect them to be very tasty!
[Edit]Making Japanese Raindrop Cake - Place 1/8 teaspoon plus 1/16 teaspoon of agar powder into a saucepan. Get out a set of measuring spoons. Use the 1/8 teaspoon to measure out 1 1/2 scoops of agar powder into a saucepan.
- For best results, use Japanese-style "Cool Agar." Do not use agar flakes.
- Add a pinch of vanilla sugar if desired. Japanese raindrop cakes are supposed to be flavorless; you add the flavor with soybean flour and sugar syrup once you are ready to serve the cakes.[3] If you want a sweeter, less-traditional raindrop cake, add 1 pinch of vanilla sugar.[4]
- Stir in 3/4 cup (180 mL) of water. Pour the water into the saucepan a little bit at a time. Stir the water with a spatula until the agar powder dissolves.
- The traditional recipe calls for mineral water, but if you can't find that, spring or filtered water will do.[5]
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then cook it for 1 minute. Set the saucepan on a stove. Turn the heat up to medium, and wait for the mixture to come to a boil. Cook the mixture for 1 minute, stirring occasionally, then take the saucepan off the stove.
- The timing is important. If you undercook the mixture, the agar won't dissolve. If you overcook the mixture, it will condense too much.[6]
- Pour the mixture into spherical molds. You can use special molds made specifically for raindrop cakes, or you can use large, round silicone molds instead. If your mold is a 2-part mold that looks like a deep tray with wells in it, do the following:[7]
- Fill the lower mold so that the wells overflow and the tray is half-filled.
- Wait 2 minutes, then add a filling, such as an edible flower or strawberry.
- Place the upper mold (with the holes in it) on top.
- Press down on the upper mold until the excess gelatin flows out of the holes.
- Chill the molds in the fridge for at least 1 hour. The raindrop cakes will be set within 1 hour, but nothing will happen if you leave them there longer. In fact, it would be even better if you left them there overnight.
- How many cakes you end up making depends on how many cavities were in your mold.
- De-mold the cakes as soon as you are ready to serve them. These jiggly treats will melt and lose their shape after only 20 to 30 minutes, so plan ahead. Once you are ready to serve the cakes, turn the molds upside down onto serving plates, and let the cakes slide out. Place each cake onto a separate plate.
- Serve the cakes with soybean flour and black sugar syrup. Add 1/2 to 1 tablespoon (2.63 to 5.25 g) of roasted soybean flour next to each cake. Drizzle 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 mL) of black or brown sugar syrup over each cake. Alternatively, you can place the syrup next to each cake instead of drizzling it on top.
- You can make your own black or brown sugar syrup. Follow a simple syrup recipe, but use brown sugar instead of white.
- If you can't find soybean flour and black sugar syrup, or if you simply don't like them, drizzle some honey or agave nectar over the cakes instead.[8]
- Edible water bubbles and raindrop cakes are flavorless by themselves.
- You can make raindrop cakes more flavorful by drizzling syrups on top.
- Don't worry if your raindrop cake does not end up perfectly clear. Use different amounts of water and agar powder next time.
- You can try stirring some food coloring into a raindrop cake to make it look more interesting.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Edible Water Bubbles - 2 to 3 bowls
- Immersion blender or regular blender
- Slotted spoon
- Deep spoon (i.e. sauce ladle)
[Edit]Japanese Raindrop Cake - Saucepan
- Rubber spatula
- Spherical mold
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make a Tree Seat Posted: 18 Mar 2020 01:00 AM PDT A tree seat generally refers to a bench that wraps around a tree. It's an excellent way to give your garden or yard a little personality and can serve as a great place to cool off in the shade during the summertime. To build a bench around a tree, construct a hexagon out of wood boards and add legs and braces to support the structure. Before taking this project on, know that you need some experience working with a miter saw to craft a tree seat. Expect to spend 2-3 days working on your tree bench; while the steps aren't particularly hard for a DIY enthusiast, they are quite time-consuming. [Edit]Creating Your Template - Calculate your tree's diameter and add . Inspect your tree carefully to find the thickest point near the bottom of the trunk. Take a cloth measuring tape and wrap it around your tree. Divide this number by pi (3.14) to get your diameter. Add to that measurement and write it down.[1]
- Round your numbers up to the nearest whole number to make things easier.
- For example, if the circumference of your tree is , divide it by 3.14 to get . Round this number up to and write your base number down as . The extra space will prevent the tree from breaking your bench in the event that it grows at an odd angle.
- If your tree is on the younger side and you expect it to grow over the course of the next 10-20 years, add to the diameter.
- This process will result in a 6-sided bench, which is ideal for wrapping around a tree without leaving a ton of variation in the amount of open space between your bench boards and the trunk.
- Divide the diameter by 1.75 (4.5 cm) to find the length of your interior bench boards. Your tree bench will be made out of a sequence of parallel boards that wrap around your tree in a hexagon. To calculate how big you're going to make your interior bench boards, divide your base measurement by 1.75 (4.5 cm). Write this length down on a scrap piece of paper.[2]
- Round any numbers up to the nearest whole number to make things easier.
- For example, if your base length is , divide it by 1.75 (4.5 cm) to get . Round this up to to make things easy.
- Mark your interior board length on a board. Set out a length of wood on a stable work surface. Use your measuring tape to measure out the length you've just calculated. Use a carpentry pencil to put hash marks at the bottom of one side of the board's length.[3] lumber, but you can use 3 or 2 boards if you get thicker wood.}}
- These hash marks indicate the length of your interior board, closest to the tree.
- For the wood, make sure that you get hardwood, like pine or oak, that has been thermally-treated to protect it from the elements.
- Draw a line leading away from each hash mark at a 30-degree angle. Hold a speed square against the base of the board where you made your first mark. Pivot the speed square until you have a 30-degree angle pointing away from the center of the board. Draw a line through the board using the speed square as your straight edge. Repeat this process on the other side.[4]
- This should look like a trapezoid with the lines leading away from you.
- Repeat this process 5 more times to finish your interior boards. Use your measuring tape, speed square, and carpentry pencil to repeat this process on 5 additional lengths of boards. Once you've measured the interior boards, you won't need to do anymore measuring for the bench.[5]
[Edit]Cutting Your Bench Boards - Cut your interior boards using a miter saw. Put on some protective eyewear and some thick gloves. Plug your miter saw in and adjust the angle of the saw by moving the guideline on the base of the saw until it reads 30-degrees. Place your first board flush against the plate of the saw. Turn the saw on and slowly lower the blade into the line that you drew to trim the board. Repeat this process on the other 11 lines that you've drawn.[6]
- You have to flip the board around after every cut since the lines you've drawn lead away from the center.
- Lay 3 other boards above one of the interior boards. Once your interior boards are cut, put them together on the ground in the shape of a hexagon to make sure they fit. Then, set one of the boards on a stable surface with 30-degree cuts pointing away from you. Lay 3 boards lengthwise above the piece that you cut. Insert spacers in between the boards to separate them a little.[7]
- Put at least 2 spacers between each board to ensure that the boards are separated evenly.
- The size of your spacers will determine how much space is in between each board. So long as this distance is less than but more than , your bench will be structurally sound.
- Use a scrap piece of wood as a straight edge to mark your cuts. Lay a scrap piece of wood on top of the boards. Adjust it so that the edge of the cut interior board is flush with the edge of the scrap piece of wood. Use your carpentry pencil to extend the angle that you cut through the 3 boards above it. Repeat this process for the other 11 lines that you've drawn. Once you finish extending the lines of an interior board, set the pieces aside and a new set of 3 boards for each interior board.[8]
- You're essentially extending the 30-degree angle out from your interior board by tracing its path.
- If you don't have a ton of space, make a note in the middle of each board to indicate whether it belongs in the first, second, third, or fourth layer of your bench. If you do have plenty of room, set the boards aside in the proper order to keep track of your layers.
- Cut all of your boards to size at a 30-degree angle. Do not adjust the angle of your miter saw. Set each piece of lumber underneath the blade and use it to make plunge cuts along each of your lines. Cut each piece to size the same way you did when you were cutting the interior boards. With all of your boards cut, set your pieces out on the ground or a large table and check to make sure that all of your boards fit together in a hexagon.[9]
[Edit]Making Your Legs - Cut 12 lengths out of a board. Take a board and set it out on a stable work surface. Use a measuring tape and speed square to mark off 12 hash marks at a 90-degree angle on the board. Put between them based on how tall you want the bench to be. Adjust your miter saw to cut at 90-degrees and trim the board into 12 lengths.[10]
- The length of these boards will determine how high your bench is. You can make it a little taller or shorter if you'd like, but most tree benches are tall. Keep in mind that the bench boards will add a little height as well.
- You will attach 2 legs to each corner of your hexagon-shaped bench.
- Create 12 braces out of boards. Create 12 braces to hold the legs in place on both sides. Grab a long and use a measuring tape and carpentry pencil to draw your cut lines. Place 1 cut line every until you've marked off 12 lengths. Use your miter saw to split your lumber into 12 pieces to create your braces.[11]
- The 2 braces will hold the legs in place from opposite sides to keep the legs from wobbling or buckling. These braces are also known as stringers.
- Connect 2 braces to 2 legs and clamp them in place. Put 1 bracer down horizontally on a stable work surface. Then, set 1 leg on top of the brace at a 90-degree angle. Line the top left corner of the leg up with the top left corner of the brace. Repeat this process using a second leg on the right. Put a second bracer on top of the 2 legs and the first brace and hold it in place. Clamp the pieces together to hold them still.[12]
- This should look like a square with 1 side missing.
- When you install the legs, the braces will go at the top.
- Secure the legs to the braces using wood screws. Drill 2 screws through all 3 pieces of wood on the left. Drill 2 additional screws through the leg and braces on the right. Flip the legs over and add 4 more screws from the opposite side.[13]
- It doesn't matter where you place your screws so long as they're securing the middle portion of the leg and you aren't drilling into the exact same location on both sides.
- Repeat this process 6 times to create your leg assemblies. Make 5 more leg and brace structures to give each corner of your hexagon bench its own support. For each piece, lay a bracer down, add 2 legs, and put a bracer on top. Drill 2 screws into each side where the 3 pieces meet.[14] carriage bolt through the center of each leg where it meets the brace.}}
[Edit]Assembling the Bench - Stand your legs up on a flat surface and clamp them down. Set your 6 legs up in a hexagon on a flat, stable work surface. Line each set of legs up so that they're pointing at the center of your hexagon. Lay your bench boards on top of the legs in the same order that you're going to install them. Put heavy objects against both sides of each leg to keep them still.[15]
- Don't worry about being super precise. You're going to adjust the location of the legs after you lay your boards on top. You'll probably end up making multiple adjustments until the bench boards are laying correctly.
- Lay 5 sides of the bench down on top of the legs. Take each bench board and rest it on top of the horizontal pieces connecting the legs. Move your legs accordingly until the legs are even with each angle where the hexagonal boards meet. Push the legs in a little so that there is a of space between the front of the bench and the leg underneath.[16]
- Put your spacers back into each of the boards to ensure that they're evenly spaced out on every side.
- This is tricky since nothing is holding the boards in place. Take your time and work slowly. Enlist someone to help you carry and lower the individual boards into place.
- Take a good look at the structure once you're done. Look underneath to ensure that the angle where the bench boards meet is the center of each leg and that your boards are spaced out evenly before moving on.
- Drill pilot holes through the boards and legs. Put a pilot bit in your drill. Bore 1 pilot hole all the way through the middle of each board where it meets the brace. Choose one side of the bench to leave open, but leave the boards in place for reference. You'll finish the last section when the bench is around the tree. This will be a total of 40 pilot holes.[17]
- A pilot hole is a small hole that you drill into a piece of wood to create threading for a screw. It also prevents the wood from splintering when you screw into it.
- Drill wood screws through the pilot holes. To secure the boards to the braces, grab some wood screws. Line each screw up with the pilot hole that you made and drill it into the wood slowly using the lowest power setting on your drill. Continue drilling until the screw is flush with the surface of the board. Screw all of your boards into place, leaving 1 side unsecured.[18]
- At this point, you should have a 5-sided hexagon with 1 side missing.
- Wrap the bench around the tree using the opened side. Take the unscrewed boards off of the bench and set them aside. Enlist the help of a friend to help you carry your bench. Pick it up on opposite sides and carry it to your tree. Slide the bench around the tree using the open side of the bench. Set the bench down once the trunk is in the center of the bench.[19]
- If you attempt to lift the bench on your own, it may break under the odd distribution of weight from the unsecured side.
- Rotate the bench to orient it until you're happy with the way that it curves around the trunk.
- Finish the last side of your bench. With the bench sitting around your tree, finish the last set of boards. Put your boards in place and lay your spacers in between each board. Drill your pilot holes through the center of each bench board where it meets the brace and screw the boards in.[20]
- Take all of your spacers out when you're done.
- Level the bench using a spirit level and a garden spade. Take a spirit level and rest it horizontally on top of your bench. Look at the bubble in the middle of the level. If it's floating in the middle, your bench is even. Repeat this process for each side of your bench. On uneven sides, use a garden spade to remove the dirt underneath the legs until the bench becomes level.[21]
- Skip this step if you're installing the bench on a paved or gravel surface.
- The bench is going to shift and settle over time as the legs compress the soil underneath, so it's never really going to be perfect.
- This project will likely take 2-3 days. It's not especially difficult if you're familiar with a miter saw and have good organizational skills, but it is relatively time-consuming. Don't try to get this all done in one day.
[Edit]Warnings - Do not operate a miter saw without wearing protective eyewear and thick gloves. Put a dust mask on if you want to protect your lungs from sawdust particles.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Measuring tape
- Cloth measuring tape
- Carpentry pencil
- Scrap wood
- Speed square
- Miter saw
- Protective eyewear
- Thick gloves
- Dust mask (optional)
- boards
- spacers
- boards
- screws
- screws
- carriage bolts
- Clamps
- Spirit level
- Garden spade
- Natural brush
- Waterproof varnish or lacquer
[Edit]References |
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