HOMEMADE SOIL BLOCKER or "SOIL CELL 1"TM
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Assembly Instructions:
If you are unable to acquire the parts in their sizes or cut them yourself, ask if your local hardware supplier will cut them to size for you.
Making the Plunger
1. Take part A (1 ¼” pvc cap) drill a ¼” hole in top center. This will allow the insertion of part B (1/4” threaded rod).
2. Insert part B (1/4’ threaded rod) into A, then screw part C (1/4” nut) about a ½” onto threaded rod, pull threaded rod through A so nut
is flush with inside cup. Thread second C onto B and secure flush to A, so threaded rod is secured onto A. (Assembly #1) set aside. (see
pic.) **see FILLER info below
3. Take part E (2” pvc cap) drill a hole large enough to slip part G (1 ¼” hollow tube) through hole. (Assembly #2) set aside. (see pic.)
4. Take part J (handle). This can be made out of anything, plastic, wood, etc. Anything that will give you comfort when pushing on the
plunger. The one in this example is made out of a recycled piece of plastic, with a ¼” drilled into it to received B as detailed in images
and instruction #5.
5. Take Assembly #1 insert into Assembly #2 through the bottom of G. Slip parts I (flat washer) and part H (spring) over G, which is
sticking out the top part of E. Push H down enough to place second I on the end of B, which is sticking out of G, then attach J to hold all
parts in place (see pic.)
6. After A has been filled, take part D (1” wood screw) and screw into center of filler to create a divot you will need to plant your seed. If
you opt not to do this and want to put a hole in the soil cell after forming the soil cell, you stand a good chance of breaking down the walls
of the soil cell and you may have to remake again. Which gets easier and easier, once you get the rythmn.
Special Note:
I was able to tap all the drilled holes to have threads so I could screw everything together. If you do not have access to a tap, some type of
water resistant durable glue will help hold things in place.
**Filler for Part A – in order to have a flat surface on the top of the soil cell, the 1 ¼” cap needs to be filled with something hard. For my
project I chose Resin. Which lends itself perfectly to making a hard surface that is easy to clean. In the center of the resin is where I
inserted the wood screw, which gives the soil cell a divot in which to place a seed. The filler will ultimately secure C on to the end of B,
which is inside the bowl of A. Make sure the measurements are where you want them BEFORE filling.
If G is too snug, make the hole in E a little larger, but not so it is sloppy. Over time it will become less snug.
If you are unable to acquire the parts in their sizes or cut them yourself, ask if your local hardware supplier will cut them to size for you.
Making the Plunger
1. Take part A (1 ¼” pvc cap) drill a ¼” hole in top center. This will allow the insertion of part B (1/4” threaded rod).
2. Insert part B (1/4’ threaded rod) into A, then screw part C (1/4” nut) about a ½” onto threaded rod, pull threaded rod through A so nut
is flush with inside cup. Thread second C onto B and secure flush to A, so threaded rod is secured onto A. (Assembly #1) set aside. (see
pic.) **see FILLER info below
3. Take part E (2” pvc cap) drill a hole large enough to slip part G (1 ¼” hollow tube) through hole. (Assembly #2) set aside. (see pic.)
4. Take part J (handle). This can be made out of anything, plastic, wood, etc. Anything that will give you comfort when pushing on the
plunger. The one in this example is made out of a recycled piece of plastic, with a ¼” drilled into it to received B as detailed in images
and instruction #5.
5. Take Assembly #1 insert into Assembly #2 through the bottom of G. Slip parts I (flat washer) and part H (spring) over G, which is
sticking out the top part of E. Push H down enough to place second I on the end of B, which is sticking out of G, then attach J to hold all
parts in place (see pic.)
6. After A has been filled, take part D (1” wood screw) and screw into center of filler to create a divot you will need to plant your seed. If
you opt not to do this and want to put a hole in the soil cell after forming the soil cell, you stand a good chance of breaking down the walls
of the soil cell and you may have to remake again. Which gets easier and easier, once you get the rythmn.
Special Note:
I was able to tap all the drilled holes to have threads so I could screw everything together. If you do not have access to a tap, some type of
water resistant durable glue will help hold things in place.
**Filler for Part A – in order to have a flat surface on the top of the soil cell, the 1 ¼” cap needs to be filled with something hard. For my
project I chose Resin. Which lends itself perfectly to making a hard surface that is easy to clean. In the center of the resin is where I
inserted the wood screw, which gives the soil cell a divot in which to place a seed. The filler will ultimately secure C on to the end of B,
which is inside the bowl of A. Make sure the measurements are where you want them BEFORE filling.
If G is too snug, make the hole in E a little larger, but not so it is sloppy. Over time it will become less snug.
All Soil Block Principles remain the same,
except this makes round cakes, not soil
blocks.
Makes a nice round 11/4" soil block.
Total cost= $7.00-10.00 with easily found
parts at any hardware store.
Try this "blocking mix" or soil cell mix.
1 part milled sphagnum moss
2 parts Vermiculite*
2 parts Perlite
These ingredients work well for soil cells
rather than soil blocks.
except this makes round cakes, not soil
blocks.
Makes a nice round 11/4" soil block.
Total cost= $7.00-10.00 with easily found
parts at any hardware store.
Try this "blocking mix" or soil cell mix.
1 part milled sphagnum moss
2 parts Vermiculite*
2 parts Perlite
These ingredients work well for soil cells
rather than soil blocks.
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PART DESCRIPTION QUANTITY
(C) 2008 by Jason Beam, All Rights Reserved, Any Use of Copyrighted Material without the author's written permission is illegal and will be
prosecuted to the highest extent of the law. Soil Cell 1 is a Trademark of Jason Beam, Oregon and Nevada 2008
prosecuted to the highest extent of the law. Soil Cell 1 is a Trademark of Jason Beam, Oregon and Nevada 2008
who have an infinite capacity to
not know what can't be done.
-Henry Ford
not know what can't be done.
-Henry Ford