How to Make the Perfect Beginner's Flower Press

Get ready to preserve all your lovely summer blossoms with this easy-to-make flower press.

Supplies and Equipment for the Flower Press:

• ½" plywood, hardwood, or MDF
• Four 2" or 2¼" carriage bolts 
• Four washers
• Four wing nuts
• Watercolor paper
• Painter's tape or masking tape
• Proxxon Table Saw FET
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Proxxon Bench Drill Press TBM 115
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E
• Proxxon Professional Rotary Tool IBS/E with Sanding Drum

Instructions:

1. You'll need two blanks for this project.
   
   
   
2. Cut the blanks to size on the table saw.
   
   
   
3. Use painter's tape or masking tape to tape the blanks together.
   
   
   
4. Use a quarter to mark the rounded corners.
   
   
   
5. Round the corners using the disc sander.
   
   
   
6. Mark holes in each corner ½" to ¾" from each edge for the bolts.
   
   
   
7. Drill the holes using the bench drill press. The holes should be slightly larger than the bolts so the pieces slide together easily.
   
   
   
8. Untape the blanks, and sand the surfaces with the Delta sander.
   
   
   
9. Sand the bolt holes using the rotary tool with a sanding drum.
   
   
   
10. Carriage bolts have a square or hexagonal neck that, when hammered into the wood, prevent the bolt from turning when the wing nuts are tightened. Hammer the carriage bolts in place. Once in place the bolts are stationery.
    
    
    
    
    
    
11. Cut watercolor paper about 6" x 7" to fit between the bolts.
    
    
     
12. Drop the flower press cover onto the bolts, add the washers (to distribute the pressure applied by the wing nuts), then tighten the wing nuts.
    
    
    

 Fresh cut flowers and leaves are layered between the papers. Then, the cover is put in place and the wind nuts tightened. Leave the flowers to dry about a week (or more depending on the flower).

Carole