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 lantern, but before I could get started making a lantern, the theme was updated to “lighting”. I’ve always loved landscape timber solar lights, but I’ve never made one.

Not long ago I spent an entire morning cleaning up the back yard. I had several privacy fence sections that I had been weathering, and random pallets and boards that I wanted too look old. I harvested all the wood, stored what I wanted 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 original wood was installed  around 1994.

My home has so much history and very fond memories! This was a huge snow storm in 1994. In the background you can see the lattice work 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 decided to use this timber for this project, just 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 make sure I would have a good fit for the solar light. 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 away from it's 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 definitely want to check out the projects from my friends. They really 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