DIY Plastic free, reclaimed aluminium can, plant tags

I work in a bush crew. One of the things I’ve noticed is that in conservation areas on significant plants they use metal swing tags/labels. I assume they are aluminium because the are inscribed and very light, with no corrosion.

I’ve come up with a way to make an economical and weather durable tag with things I have at home. 

This is a project for adults NOT kids. 

The cut aluminium can edges are moderately safe to handle without gloves if done carefully*

Avoid touching/handling the cut edges.

This project CAN NOT be completed with a steel can.

DIY Aluminium Plant Labels

You will need:

A clean aluminium can

A can opener that lifts off the top of the can

Scissors

A slightly rounded, smooth  metal point such as a darning needle. Mine is a metal fondant or wax working tool. 

A smooth blunt object to press folded metal such as a metal spoon. Mine is the other end of the aforementioned tool. 

Use can opener to remove top of can

Use scissors to cut straight along the length of the can. 

Make another parallel cut 4-5cm away from the first.

Cut between the two cuts to seperate from can.

Cut off non-flat sections from each end.

You should now have a rectangle of roughly 5x12cm

With the labelled exterior of the can facing you, fold along one long edge, about 4-5mm deep.

Fold the other long side over so that it slightly overlaps by 3-4 mm over the first fold. 

Make each fold crisp by pressing it.

Fold over from the broad fold, one corner.

Make the corner fold crisp.

At the other end of the tag, use scissors to cut a semi circle or rounded corners.

Lightly fold over this rounded end towards other folds then fold back.

Snip off folded under layer to leave simple rounded flap.

Fold over rounded flap and press.

Use metal point to carefully write label. You will need to press so keep your lettering small and simple.

Finished!

Gently push into the soil or pot.

Label your plants however is useful to you. As a horticulturalist and revegetation worker, I want to remember the botanical names of the indigenous plants I’m planting. I’m in a rental, so I’m hoping that whoever lives here next will see these tags and respect the indigenous planting.

*While I made two cans worth of labels without cutting myself, others might not be so careful/lucky.  

Homemade tool to open stuck Bosch washing pump filter cap

Official Bosch Instructions to open filter pump cap.

A common problem with the pump filter on recent Bosch washing machines is if enough or particular object clog it, it can seem impossible to unscrew and clear.

I watched a you tube clip about how to clear it and that seemed doable until I realised there are star headed screws holding the relevant parts together. I’d have to borrow tools to  do it that way. 

I realised the issue is leverage. I happened to have this piece of jarrah (hardwood) decking scrap which has a cut out for manual scroll sawing. It turns out to be exactly the right tool to give gentle leverage without damaging the plastic screw cap. 

Hopefully you can use this image taken on a 1cm grid to create a general template to make one yourself.

I recommend making one to anyone with this machine. Once I figured this out, I fixed my clog (3 bobby pins) very quickly: Quicker than the time it takes to watch either you tube clip or write this post!