How to Make a Wire Cupcake Stand
Instead of serving cupcakes on a plate at your next get-together, make a dramatic display using a wire cupcake stand. A cupcake stand uses different tiers to display the desserts, making it easier for guests to serve themselves. In addition, it uses less table space than several plates since it stacks the cupcakes on top of each other. Save some money by making your own using pieces of wire and a soldering tool. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Heavy gauge wire
- Steel wool
- Work gloves
- Pliers (optional)
- Soldering tool
- Solder
- Vice grip
- Drill
- 15-by-1/2-inch hollow metal rod
- Scissors
Instructions
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1
Clean one 20-inch, two 16-inch, three 12-inch and two 8-inch pieces of heavy gauge wire using a piece of steel wool. Wear a pair of clean work gloves, then bend the pieces of wire into eight circles. Use a pair of pliers to make the bends, if necessary. Avoid touching the cleaned pieces of wire with bare hands since oil from your skin may cause the solder to not stick.
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2
Solder the eight wire circles to secure them using a soldering tool.
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3
Use a vice grip and make 12 holes into the side of a 15-by-1/2-inch hollow metal rod using a drill. Make the holes 1/8 inch wide. Space the holes evenly around the diameter of the rod, with the first four holes 4 inches below the top of the rod, the second four holes 5 inches below the first, and the final set of four holes 5 inches below the second set.
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4
Use scissors to cut four pieces of wire into 12 1/4-inch pieces, four pieces of wire into 8 1/4-inch pieces and four pieces of wire into 6 1/4-inch pieces.
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5
Bend the 12 1/4-inch pieces of wire 2 inches from one end at a right angle. Bend the 2-inch end into a curl that is an inch below the first bend. These make the four legs of the stand. Insert the straight ends of the wire into the four holes on the bottom of the rod, positioning the rolled ends of the rod downward. Use additional solder to attach the four legs in place.
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6
Place one of the 10-inch circles, one of the 8-inch circles, one of the 6-inch circles and one of the 4-inch circles over the rod, resting them on the legs. Center and evenly space the circles. Apply solder to the circles where they meet the legs.
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7
Insert the four 8 1/4-inch rods into the middle set of the four holes. Apply solder to the wires where they touch the rod. Place an 8-inch circle and a 6-inch circle on top of the wires, centering as you did the lower level. Secure the circles to the wires using additional solder. Repeat the process with the final set of wires and the circles, soldering them in place.
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8
Allow the solder to sit for three to five hours to finish cooling and setting.
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Tips & Warnings
To clean up spilled solder, use a damp sponge. Place cardboard under your workstation for additional protection.
Soldering tools are incredibly hot. Avoid touching the solder or the gun while heated. Wear protective work gloves to prevent burns.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images
