Flower press

[Packard]

Has anyone made a flower press?  I want to make one for a friend’s daughter.  I was hoping on making it from materials I have on hand.

I was thinking of an 8” x 10” or 11” x 14” press.

I have on hand, knobs with 1/4-20 thread inserts.  So I will have to get four pieces of 1/4-20 carriage bolts.

I have both 1/2” and 3/4” plywood in smaller pieces for this.

I read on line that water color paper between the leaves, and thin plywood between the pressings. 

The girl is about 12 years old. 

Any advice on how much capacity is best for these things?  (How long the bolts should be.)

Would corrugated cardboard work instead of 1/4” plywood for the spacers between pressings?

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[ChuckM]

I have a veneer press made out of this:https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/sho.../vises/31134-shoulder-vise-screw?item=70G0151

[attachimg=1]

 

[Packard]

I was looking online.  Most of the “professional” presses use straps (not the ratcheting type) so I am thinking that not much pressure is required).

I am also noticing that they use a lattice of wood strips instead of a platen of plywood.  I would guess to improve ventilation.

Is this one assembled with pop rivets or with Chicago screws? I can’t tell from the image.

I don’t even know what the practice of drying flowers is “officially” called.  I want a little more information before I start.

 

[Svar]

I am thinking that not much pressure is required.

Correct. The purpose is not to crush the plants, just flatten them.

 

[Packard]

Is the open grid design for ventilation?  It certainly is more work than a sheet of plywood.

 

[Svar]

Is the open grid design for ventilation?  It certainly is more work than a sheet of plywood.

Yes. But you could drill holes in plywood for the same effect. Even make it a decorative feature, such as combination of large, small, irregular holes in some attractive pattern. Scroll saw some flowers in it.

 

[ChuckM]

Definitely rivets.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Unless I'm mistaken the two halves are comprised of three rows of decorative lattice, then a solid sheet of ply or MDF, and padded fabric facing towards the inner.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Unless I'm mistaken the two halves are comprised of three rows of decorative lattice, then a solid sheet of ply or MDF, and padded fabric facing towards the inner.

The “core” is many layers of paper, probably blotter paper to absorb the moisture from the flowers.
The paper core is sandwiched between two layers of corrugated cardboard, maybe stiffer than common?
The above easy to replace components are made secure and easy to carry by the riveted wood lattices.

 

[Packard]

In my mind, this was going to be the easiest project in the world.  Two sheets of plywood, four holes, four bolts and wing nuts.  Done.

Then I made the mistake of trying to learn more about pressing flowers. 

There is a lesson to be learned here. [eek] [big grin]

 

[ChuckM]

In my mind, this was going to be the easiest project in the world.  Two sheets of plywood, four holes, four bolts and wing nuts.  Done.

Then I made the mistake of trying to learn more about pressing flowers. 

There is a lesson to be learned here. [eek] [big grin]

If even simpler is desired:  Two sheets of plywood, and four spring clamps. [tongue]

 

[Packard]

In my mind, this was going to be the easiest project in the world.  Two sheets of plywood, four holes, four bolts and wing nuts.  Done.

Then I made the mistake of trying to learn more about pressing flowers. 

There is a lesson to be learned here. [eek] [big grin]

If even simpler is desired:  Two sheets of plywood, and four spring clamps. [tongue]

But then I have to un-learn all that stuff we discussed above.  Unlearning is sometimes harder than learning.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Don’t give up on the idea. Look at this very simple version.

 

[Packard]

My thought was to take the 3/4” maple ply scrap that I have, and using my dado stack on my radial arm saw, cut a grid leaving squares about 1-1/2” and slots of 3/4”.  Cut to 1/4” depth it would provide good ventilation.  But the groves would have to be painted and the squares are at risk of delaminating. 

So drilling a grid makes the most sense.  I won’t have to paint the interior of the holes.  A big time savings.

I think it would make a nice gift for a 12 year old, and perhaps the making of a future hobby. 

I’ll get to work on that and post some pictures.