We know Adam’s a great carpenter, but now he’s becoming a great magician.
He’s created a pot plant holder made up of two independent pieces of timber held together with a couple of chains and looks like it’s defying gravity.
That’s because it uses a structural principle called Tensegrity. Despite the trickery, this is a really simple build, but more importantly, it will absolutely impress your friends and family who will think you’ve made it with magic.
How to build your own tensegrity shelf
Sprinkle magic into your space with timber and metal chain. A simple and fun build for an instant, practical objet d’art.
Gather your supplies
- 42 x 42mm dressed pine 2.4m (2)
- 1200 x 396 x 12mm plywood pine
- 85mm bugle screws
- Pinnacle 3mm x 1m stainless steel chain
- 25mm pan head screws
- 20cm potted plant
When operating power tools, wear safety glasses, a mask, earmuffs, and tie your hair back. When appropriate, wear gloves and protective clothing.
Safety note
You’ll also need
- Tape measure
- Combination square
- Pencil
- Mitre saw
- PVA glue
- Circular saw
- 80-grit sandpaper
- Clamp
- Chisel
- Hammer
- Drill
- Drill bits
- Compass
- Jigsaw
- Paintbrush
- Primer
- Black water- based enamel paint
- Screwdriver
- Bolt cutters
Components
Step 1
Measure and mark all timber components (see list below) with tape measure, combination square and pencil. Cut all dressed pine components with mitre saw, and plywood Top with circular saw. Sand all sawn edges.
Step 2
To ensure chain is straight between screws, create a channel on the Rail to fit around a chain link. Clamp Rail to bench, mark up a channel on one end of the Rail (around 20 x 5 x 5mm). Cut along markings, then cut and remove timber waste with chisel and hammer. Repeat for a total of 4 Rails.
Step 3
Gather 2 Rails, 1 Cross rail, 1 Post and 1 Hanging rail, and dry assemble bottom section of planter with butt joints as shown in Assembly diagram (page 163). Apply PVA glue to all joints to attach and secure components. Clamp components, then predrill a central pilot hole through outermost components and into ends of joining components. Insert and tighten bugle screws. Repeat for top section – see Assembly diagram for direction of Rail channels.
Step 4
Draw a 20cm circle on Top with compass, 42mm from back edge of the Top and equally spaced between side edges. With a 10mm drill bit, drill a hole within marked circle, insert jigsaw blade, then cut out circle. Sand sawn edges.
Step 5
Apply PVA glue along top edge of Rails and Cross rail (on Top section only), then attach Top. Clamp until set.
Step 6
With paintbrush, apply 1 coat of primer and 2 coats of paint to all timber components. Allow to dry after each coat.
Step 7
Cut chain lengths to size with cutters. Predrill and screw Long chains to Rails to connect top and bottom of the planter. Predrill and screw Short chain to connect Hanging rails with pan head screws.
Step 8
Stand it upright, insert potted plant.
How does a tensegrity structure work?
Tensegrity shelves and structures are held up through tension from the middle string. The three strings added to the corners of your structure will add stability and help balance any weight that is placed on top.
