sensory
arden
W M
Giant
trowel
When adding features to a garden
designed primarily for kids, bold
and bright colours are the order of
the day. And to make garden art
even more fun, why not make it
in giant sizes. This huge trowel will
provide bucket-loads of giggles for
the kids and be a talking point for
the grown-ups. It's created by
cutting and bending sheet steel,
then attaching a handle, before
concreting in place.
GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES
■ 1800 x 1200mm sheet of
1.5mm-thick steel
■ 100 x 3000mm H4 treated
pine slab
■ Angle grinder fitted with metal
cutting blade
YOU’LL ALSO NEED
Hand
trow el;
metal
prim er/
undercoat spray paint;
Dulux
Weathershield Low Sheen acrylic
in True Red and Blue; 1 50mm
galvanised bugle-headed batten
screws (3); 125mm galvanised
cup-head bolts and nuts
(4);
bagged concrete, to suit; roll 3mm
clear vinyl tubing
HERE’S HOW
STEP 1
Mark out blade shape onto
steel sheet. Use a regular-sized
hand trowel as a pattern guide.
Here, the trowel blade is about
1200 x 800mm in size. Use an
angle grinder to cut out shape and
grind off any rough edges.
STEP 2
Position timber blocks
above and below bend lines and
clamp in place. Apply pressure to
bend, as desired. You may need to
enlist help for larger bends.
STEP 3
Apply metal primer to steel.
Leave to dry, then apply exterior
paint in your desired colour.
STEP 4
Cut pine slab into 2 lengths
- 1800mm for shaft, and 800mm
for T-top. Vary the sizes to suit your
blade size. Lay shaft flat-side down,
centre T-piece at 1 end with a flat
side on shaft top, then screw in
place with three 1 50mm bugle
screws. Paint with exterior paint.
STEP 5
Drill 2 holes through base
of shaft for cup-head bolts. Mark
and drill matching holes at top of
blade. Position handle, insert bolts
(with nuts to rear) and tighten.
STEP 6
Paint a treated pine slab
offcut the same colour as blade.
Position on back of trowel blade as
a support post. Leave at least
500mm extending beyond end of
blade. Mark, drill and secure with
cup-head bolts. Lower trowel into
ground and concrete in place.
STEP 7
Finally, add a safety guard
for edge of trowel blade. Lay 3mm
clear tubing on a solid surface and
use a Stanley knife to slit 1 side of
vinyl tube. You’ll need a tube length
as long as the entire outside edge
of blade. Fit vinyl over blade edge.
17. You’ve made a giant
rake and trowel,
so why
not complete your super-
sized garden tool set and
build a large fork, using
the same techniques.
16. Now that’s a spade!
This gigantic garden
sculpture will keep your
visitors amused - and the
neighbours at bay!
For project supplies,
see Stockists page
Words and photography Adam Woodhams; styling Melissa Norton (TV): garden design Jarret Clynick
