Easy Reclaimed Landscape Timber Solar Light

This project is so easy. I chose to do a landscape timber solar light out of reclaimed lumber. I made this for June's Power Tool Challenge Project. The original theme was a lantern, but before I could get started creating a lantern, the theme was updated to "lighting." I've always loved landscape timber solar lights but never made one.

Not long ago, I spent an entire morning cleaning up the backyard. I had several privacy fence sections that I had been weathering and random pallets and boards that I wanted to look old. I harvested all the wood, stored what I tried to keep in the woodshed, and put the unwanted items in the burn pile. These landscape timbers were just about the only wood I left in the backyard. Their original purpose was to enclose the porch swing where the new pergola went up last year. This authentic wood was installed around 1994.

My home has so much history and very fond memories! This was a massive snowstorm in 1994. In the background, you can see the latticework and the landscape timbers that held up the lattice. That would be me checking out the snow.

I grabbed the timber that was on the top of the pile. Look what I found! BW Loves GW. That was 18 years into our marriage. I used this timber for this project for old times' sake.

Cut Landscape Timber

Using the miter saw made cutting this old timber easy. You could also use a hand saw or circular saw.

Wash reclaimed timber

The old landscape timbers were dirty. I hosed them off, which made them a little chippy. The chippy look appealed to me.

Drill hole in landscape timber for solar light

Using a scrap piece of wood, I tested several drill bits to ensure it would fit the solar light well. This 11/16 bit was the best choice for this.

I grabbed some nautical rope I purchased at the dollar tree.

Wrap Landscape Timber with Rope

I wrapped the landscape timbers with the rope and tied it in the back.

Secure rope with staples

The battery-operated staple gun was used to secure the ropes. You can see the carved initials front and center in this image.

Easy DIY Landscape Timber Solar Light

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The new solar light fixture made from reclaimed landscape timbers looks perfect in my front yard with the diy picket fence in the background. This landscape timber solar light is only a few feet from its original location around the porch swing.

I'm not sure I'll keep this solar light; it just happened to be in my stash in the garage. It's fun to add pieces to solar lights like this. The Bluebird of Happiness is one of my favorite little tchotchke pieces.

Many people use the full height of the solar light fixture, but I chose not to use the full-sized stake.

You will want to check out the projects from my friends. They went all out with their creative projects, all of them making lanterns. I'm the slacker. 🙂  (most links won't work till 11:00 am EST)

My Repurposed Life - Landscape Timber Solar Light

Just the Woods - Scroll Saw DIY Lantern

H2OBungalow - DIY Wood Lantern Tutorial

Virginia Sweet Pea - Easy DIY Decorative Lantern

The Kim Six Fix - Clothespin Lantern

Her Tool Belt - Wood and Mason Jar Solar Lantern

gail