Wishing Well Plans Free

This step by step woodworking project is about wishing well plans free. Building a square wishing well with a lid is easy and it will enhance the look of your garden, but you need to pay attention to several things, if you want to get the job done by yourself. There are so many designs and plans that you could choose from, that choosing the right project for your needs and budget is a real challenge.

Always invest in quality materials, such as cedar, redwood or pine, if you want to build a durable wishing well with a beautiful appearance. Moreover, you need to cut the components at the right size, after taking accurate measurements and to align them at both ends. Drill pilot holes before inserting the screws, to prevent the wood from splitting. Work with attention and with great care, if you want to prevent costly mistakes. See all my Premium Plans HERE.

Projects made from these plans

DIY Garden Wishing Well

  

It’s that easy to build a wishing well!

Cut & Shopping Lists

• A – 10 pieces of 1×6 lumber – 36” long, 10 pieces – 34 1/2″ long BASE
• B – 4 pieces of 2×2 – 27 1/2″ long CORNER POSTS
• C – 7 pieces of 1×6 lumber – 36″ long, 4 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 16″ long LID
• D – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 96″ long PALINGS
• E – 4 pieces of 2×3 lumber – 27 1/4″ long RAFTERS
• F – 2 piece of 1×4 lumber – 35″ long BRACES
• G – 12 pieces of 1×6 lumber – 36″ long SLATS  
• H – 2 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 36″ long TRIMS
• I – 1 piece of 1 1/2″ round lumber – 36 1/2″, 2×4 lumber SPINDLE

• 20 pieces of 1×6 lumber – 8′
• 2 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 8′
• 1 piece of 1×2 lumber – 8′
• 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8′
• 2 pieces of 2×3 lumber – 8′
• 2 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 8′
• 1 1/2″ dowel
• 100 pieces of 1 1/4″ screws
• 1 1/2″ brad nails
• hinges

Tools

 Hammer, Tape measure, Framing square

 Power mixer, Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander

 Safety Gloves, Safety Glasses

Time

 One weekend

Related

• Square Gazebo Plans
• Utility Shed Plans

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Building a wishing well

Buildinga wishing well

Top Tip: There are many designs to choose from when building a wishing well, so we recommend you to take into account all the alternatives. In this project we show you how to build a basic wishing well with a square base.

Wishing Well Plans Free

Building the base of the well

The first step of the project is to build the base of the wishing well. If you want to get the job done quickly, we recommend you to make a square box, as in the image. Cut the 1×6 slats at the right size and attach them to the 2×2 corner posts.

Drill pilot holes trough the slats and insert 1 1/4″ nails into the posts. Plumb the walls of the box with a spirit level and make sure the corners are right-angled, by using a carpentry square.

Attaching the palings to the base

The next step of the project is attach the palings to the both sides of the wishing well base. Use 2×4 lumber to make the palings and lock them to the base with lag screws. Use a spirit level to plumb the palings before installing them into place.

As you can easily notice in the plans, we recommend you to cut the ends of the palings at 45º, using a good miter saw. Cut out a small round hole in the palings (about 1 1/2″ in diameter), for the spindle.

Building the roof of the wishing well

Install the 2×3 rafters on top of the palings, as in the free plans. As you can notice, you need to cut both ends of the rafters at 45º, using a circular saw. Place the rafters on top of the palings, drill pilot holes and insert 3 1/2″ galvanized screws.

Add waterproof glue to the joints, if you want to enhance the rigidity of the structure. Attach the 1×4 cross-beams at the bottom of the rafters, in order to add style to the wishing well. Align the braces at both ends, if you want to get a professional result.

Installing the roofing slats

In order to protect the wooden structure from bad weather, we recommend you to attach 36″ long 1×6 slats to the rafters, as in the image. Make sure the slats overlap at least 1 1/2″, otherwise the structure won’t be rigid enough.

Don’t forget to apply several coats of paint to the slats, in order to protect them from bad weather. Drill pilot holes and insert 1 1/4″ screws trough the slats into the rafters.

Fitting the trims

Attach 1×4 trims on both sides of the wishing well and lock them to the end of the rafters with 1 1/2″ finishing nails. Add glue to the joints, in order to get proper joints.

Building the lid

Building the lid for the wishing well is an optional step, but it will most certainly add style to your woodworking project. In order to build the lid, you need to use 1×4 and 1×2 lumber.

Place the slats on a level surface, before attaching the 1×2 supports. As you can see in the image, you need to cut small notches inside the slats, as to fit around the palings. Place the lids on top of the base and lock them to the structure with metal hinges.

Installing the spindle

Building the spindle for the wishing well is maybe the most complex step of the project, but any person with basic woodworking skills can get the job done, if the right plans are used. As you can see in the plans, you need to use 1 1/2″ round lumber and several pieces of 1×4 lumber.

Build the washers and in the image, as well as the handle arm. Make sure you use quality lumber, to prevent the components from splitting.

Building the components

Use these blueprints to build the washers, the arm and the handle. As you can see in the image, you need to cut the components from 1×4 lumber. Use a hole saw drill bit to make the round components. On the other hand, you can build the arm using circular saw.

Top Tip: Work with attention and with great care, if you want to install the spindle in a professional manner.

Wishing well plans free

Afterwards, you have to fill the gaps and the holes with a good wood putty. Let the compound to dry out properly, before sanding the whole wooden components, along the wood grain, with 120-grit sandpaper.

Top Tip: Apply several coats of wood stain, in order to enhance the look of the wishing well and to protect the lumber from water damage. You could also build a small wooden bucket if you want to add value to the traditional decor.

This woodworking project is about wishing well plans free. If you want to see more outdoor plans, we recommend you to check out the rest of our step by step projects.

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