Scavenger Chic

Repurposing a Vintage Wood Planer

• By Joan
• August 27, 2015
• 7 Comments

At the same flea market that I bought the typewriter desk earlier in the week, I bought this cute woodworkers planer. I had been eyeing them all day, sometimes they were too big, sometimes too small, some were missing the lower knob, and some were just too expensive…but this one was just right…it’s my baby bear’s porridge.

Flea markets are a great place for old tools and some of the older ones with their craftsmanship and lines are just calling out to be repurposed.  This one is obviously a wall hook.

Took the blade out that was used for planing and gave the wood a quick coat of Restor-a-Finish. Restor-a-finish promises to restore color to faded wood, blend out scratches and blemishes and remove white heat rings. I can’t testify for all those promises but it did brighten up my planer without any sanding or stripping or even effort for that matter.

Since my diy would pretty much be done, I decided to see if a planer could be used for any other household duties….look how cute he is holding the TV remote.

It also does a great job of holding business cards.  For those of you with antique booths, do you have a great place to stick your business cards?

You could also use it as an ipad holder.  Might want to trim down the piece that holds the ipad upright, so that you can see the entire screen.

Now back to my original idea, it makes a fantastic wall hanger. Attach a hook to the back and you’re done.

Would be great to hold an umbrella and hat in the foyer, or a robe in the guest bedroom…

…or a towel in the powder room or kitchen.

The scavenger in me couldn’t resist hitting the internet to see if other diyers had any other great ideas for these great old tools.

This pair of Planer Lamps are from Doorman Designs on Etsy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen planers that large, but those are awesome.

Another idea for how to turn a planer into a lamp was found at Sew Many Ways… blogspot.

And Angie at Knick of Time, transformed her planer into a photo holder.

So next time you see a woodworkers planer at a yard sale, you just might want to grab it.  Are there any other ideas I missed?

Shared at Think and Make Thursday, Handmade Hangout Party, The Painted Drawer,

Metamorphosis Monday, Amaze me Monday, Show and Share,

Link Party Palooza, Upcycled Link Party, DIY Sunday Showcase,

Trash 2 Treasure Tuesday, Be Inspired Tuesday, Wow us Wednesdays,

Vintage Inspiration Party, Share your Cup Thursday,

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