Rain Barrel Stand Plans

This step by step woodworking project is about rain barrel stand plans. This article features detailed instructions for building a sturdy stand for your rain barrel. If you want to collect the rainwater, as efficiently as possible, consider building this sturdy stand. You can build the stool using 4×4 and 2×4 scraps. The total cost of the materials should be less than 15 dollars. We have designed the plans to keep the expenditures under control and to involve the least amount of work possible. See all my Premium Plans HERE.

When buying the lumber, you should select the planks with great care, making sure they are straight and without any visible flaws (cracks, knots, twists, decay). Investing in cedar or other weather resistant lumber is a good idea, as it will pay off on the long run. Use a spirit level to plumb and align the components, before inserting the galvanized screws, otherwise the footstool won’t have a symmetrical look. If you have all the materials and tools required for the project, you could get the job done in about a day.

Projects made from these plans

Building a barrel stand

Cut & Shopping Lists

A – 4 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 21″ long LEGS
B – 4 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 21″ long SUPPORTS
C – 3 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 18″ long STRETCHERS
D – 5 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 21″ long TOP

1 piece of 4×4 lumber – 8 ft
3 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8 ft
1 5/8″ screws
2 1/2″ screws
filler, stain
glue

Tools

Hammer, Tape measure, Framing square, Level

Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander

Safety Gloves, Safety Glasses

Time

One day

How to build a plant stand

Building the sides

The first step of the project is to build the sides for the rain barrel. As you can easily notice in the diagram, we recommend you to build the legs out of 4×4 lumber and the supports out of 2×4 lumber. Align everything with attention and secure the supports to the legs using 2 1/2″ screws. Add waterproof glue to the joints and drill pilot holes before inserting the screws, to prevent the wood from splitting. Make sure the corners are square.

Fitting the stretchers

After building the sides, you need to assemble the rain barrel stand by fitting the perpendicular stretchers. Cut the components at the right dimensions and fit them to the structure. Drill pilot holes through the side supports and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the stretchers. Check if the corners are square, before inserting the galvanized screws.

Attaching the top slats

One of the last steps of the outdoor woodworking project is to attach the 2×4 slats to the top of the stand. Place the slats equally-spaced and secure them to the frame using 2 1/2″ screws. Drill pilot holes through the slats to prevent the wood from splitting. Smooth the exposed edges with 120-grit sandpaper.

Rain barrel stand plans

One of the last steps of the woodworking project is to take care of the finishing touches. Therefore, fill the pilot holes with wood putty and smooth the surface with 120-grit sandpaper.

Top Tip: If you want to enhance the look of the project and to protect the wooden rain barrel stand from decay, we recommend you to cover the components with paint or stain.

This woodworking project was about footstool plans. If you want to see more outdoor plans, we recommend you to check out the rest of our step by step projects. LIKE us on Facebook and Google + to be the first that gets out latest projects and to hep us keep adding free woodworking plans for you.

Rain Barrel Stand Plans

Projects made from these plans