How to Build a Waterproof Display Pedestal

Sculptures require a place of honor when being displayed in a museum, art gallery or your home. Pedestals give you a place to set the piece of art so it is easily seen by yourself and your guests. Purchasing a pedestal to fit your needs can be as expensive as buying the sculpture. The solution is to make your own. In the event you want an all-weather pedestal for indoors or out, use pieces of acrylic to make a waterproof piece. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Measure and mark pieces of 1/8-inch acrylic to indicate where to cut to make five 12-by-12-inch squares.

2

Place a straightedge or metal ruler against the first drawn line. Run an acrylic scoring tool or utility knife down the ruler to cut into the acrylic. Move the cut edge to the edge of a table or countertop. Press down on the part that is hanging over the edge of the table to snap it off. Repeat the process to cut and remove all the acrylic, making five 12-by-12-inch squares. Sand the edges, if necessary, using a rotary tool to ensure the cuts are straight.

3

Place one acrylic square flat on your work space. Place a second acrylic square at a 90 degree angle against the side of the first square. Press the two squares together to make sure they are flush. Place a box or brick on the outside of the vertical piece to hold it in place.

4

Insert the needle end of a hobby syringe into a bottle of acrylic cement. Pull the plunger on the syringe to suck up cement. Ensure the edges of both acrylic sheets are still flush. Place the needle of the syringe against the seam where the two pieces meet. Push the plunger and move the needle down the length of the seam. Hold the two pieces of acrylic together for 30 to 45 seconds. Let the cement set for 20 minutes.

5

Repeat Step 4 with the remaining three pieces of acrylic. Once all five pieces are attached, you will have a box with an open end, which is the bottom. Let the cement sit for an additional five to six hours before using the pedestal.