I’m one of 12 bloggers doing a Power Tool Challenge, using just one tool. This round we’re using a DRILL. That’s it, only a drill. My DIY American Flag project doesn’t even need to be sawed!
For my DIY American Flag project I bought garden stakes. I picked these up at Home Depot—the ones on the right. They were $3.57 for 18” stakes.
Materials to make a DIY American Flag
- 18” garden stakes
- Red, White, Blue DecoArt Patio Paints
- Foam brushes
- #6 1 1/4” fine thread screws
- 5/64 bit (for pilot hole) see this chart from Ana White
- Ryobi Cordless Drill
- Star pattern (I printed mine on my printer as though it were a 5×7)
- Tape Measure
- Painter’s Tape
- Foam Pouncer
Paint 6 garden stakes Red
I arranged my garden stakes to get my pattern. Then I got busy painting my stakes. On small projects like this I always spread the paint on my project, then use a foam brush to spread it around. The Patio Paint dried really quickly.
Paint 3 garden stakes white
I did the same with the white garden stakes.
Do NOT arrange your garden stakes like this
After the paint dried, I arranged the stakes to prepare for securing my screws. DO NOT arrange your stakes this way. When flipped over, the flag points the wrong way (in my opinion)
Drill pilot holes
Drills have settings on them that allow you to switch from using a drill bit or a screw bit. When using a drill bit, set the torque control to the “drill” setting, and the gear setting to 2. This gives you more power. Set the forward/reverse button to forward. Insert your drill bit and tighten the chuck. (back in the old days, you had to tighten this with a chuck key) Now they are known as “keyless” chucks.
Drill the holes through the vertical stake into the horizontal stake, being careful not to go all the way through. You could use a piece of painter’s tape on the drill bit to gauge the depth. You can see that I have already drilled the pilot holes in the stakes that will secure all the boards together and become the stakes that hold my flag in the ground. If you don’t drill pilot holes, your screws may split the wood. There have been many times when I’ve tried to skip this step (due to being very impatient) and ended up regretting it. I’m fortunate enough to have several drills, so I often use one with the drill bit, and the other with the screw bit. It really speeds up your work when don’t have to constantly switch back and forth.
This is the way to arrange your garden stakes
Okay, in this picture you can see that I had already put my diy american flag together, only to FLIP it over and see that my tips were pointing in the wrong direction. I had to take it apart and reconfigure the stakes, and secure the screws again. If the screws are tightened too much, the tips may protrude through the front of your flag.
Stencil star(s) on DIY american flag
As I mentioned above, I printed my star using the 5×7 option on my printer. I measured off the area I needed for the star. I cut the star out with a pair of scissors. You could use a smaller star and make rows if you like.
I made my area approximately 6×6.
It’s best to remove your painter’s tape before the paint completely dries.
I do a lot of stenciling, and by far my favorite method is using Martha Stewart foam pouncers. It works great to spread a small amount of paint on a piece of painter’s tape, then dab the pouncer and pounce away!
I chose to use one large star on this diy american flag. I’ve used other formations on previous projects (see below)
Here is the new flag in my flower garden. Currently you can only see red Gerbera Daisies, and white Petunias. The tiny little sprouts are hardy hibiscus plant. Since I took this picture, the sprouts aren’t so tiny! This is new and crisp looking, but if you sanded it back a little, it would look a bit more rustic.
Easy Peasy flag from reclaimed fencing
Above are the other flags I’ve made out of reclaimed fencing and garden stakes. Click this link to see more Patriotic Décor Ideas.
Are you ready to see more great One Power Tool Challenge project ideas? Check out my friends’ fun projects below:
I hope you find some great projects to inspire you.
gail
That one star flag…that is the flag of Puerto Rico though. It is not the United States flag.
How cute is that?! Seriously love it and it’s perfect celebrating our nation’s birth. Great job, Gail!
Friend of mine had an old dresser that she gave me so I pulled the drawers out like a tier, threw potting soil in them and planted annuals. Could have done a much better job but it’s cute.
gail i love this it is cheap and easy thanks xx
This is awesome Gail!! I saw these fence pickets at the hardware store the other day and was thinking about how I could possibly use them… now I have an idea!!
Gail your flag is so cute, you always have the most creative projects!
I think your flag looks perfect in your garden bed! You know I love American flags!!
This is perfect for adding a little patriotic flair to your garden! I never thought to use those garden stakes for anything before…clever way to get around cutting! Love the rustic version too! XO
Gail, your garden stake flag is so stink’n cute! You’ve inspired me to make a Canadian flag for Canada Day on July 1st. It’s been fun doing the challenge with you!
Thanks Marie!
I love using a cordless drill, use it almost daily…. so this was a fun project for me. Ohhh, how fun for you to do a Canada Day Flag!
gail
What a fun and creative project Gail!! I love it both ways….fresh and bright and sanded back a bit! 🙂
Nancy
love it! might have to make one of these for the red/white/ & blue holidays!
This is so cute! It’s interesting what people can make with very little tools on hand. And still have something cute to spiff up the place!
I like your little flag– it reminds me I need to put my shutter flags out on the porch!
for a patriotic summer. 😉
Patricia
Great project Gail. I love how you can just pick up those stakes at any supply store, so easy! What a sweet addition to your yard.
~Tami
So cute, Gail! And I like the tip about the drill. xo
this is ingenious! Gail you have changed how i look at garden stakes from now on! awesome project!! xo
Cutest idea ever, Gail! So easy and the possibilities are endless… I love this!!
Thanks so much Cher! I’m about to hop on the list and check out everyone’s projects!
gail
Gail… great project! I knew you’d come up with something awesome for the One Tool Challenge. I haven’t seen the fence posts like you used before. Clearly I’ve overlooked them! I’m always a pushover for Americanna and red white and blue anything. Can’t wait to make one of these. Thanks for joining in with the group!
Wendi,
Thanks so much for your sweet comment, and I’m so happy to be part of the group! I can’t wait to check out all the other projects.
gail
Gail, this is so do-able and most excellent tutorial, thank you! I’m heading to Home Depot before groceries. :))
thanks!
Woohooo Christina! so happy to inspire you to do this project. Do share it, via email or the FB page when you get yours done!
gail