This is a DIY project that has been years in the making.
I’ve wanted to build it ever since I saw it in the Pottery Barn catalog years ago. I knew that I knew that I knew…..it would be perfect in the house.
If only I could figure out how to DIY it.
I could figure out the sides and I could figure out the metal corners and I could figure out the rods in the middle….but I couldn’t figure out how to make the beads that you used to count with.
Giant wooden discs?
Too flat.
Giant metal washers?
Too un-round.
Giant beads?
Too round.
And then one day I saw these.
Fishing floats.
Can you believe it?
We have friends who are commercial fisherman and I saw these at their house when they were stringing up lines.
As we say in Kentucky….I almost had a come-apart.
Visions of that long ago DIY abacus danced round my head.
So here it is in all its glory courtesy of those fishing floats…..
…..how to build a giant abacus.
Supplies:
13 feet of 1 x 4 pine lumber
8 feet of small dowel rods
30 fishing floats
metal L-brackets for the sides
dark wood stain
Step 1: Build your frame
The frame is 42″ long and 18″ wide with a center piece that is 40″ long.
Cut the pieces to fit (or have your home improvement store cut them for you).
Nail the center piece in place.
Don’t nail it exactly in the center.
Make sure when you attach the center piece you have one larger side and one smaller side.
Step 2: Make sure fishing floats fit
The fishing floats are styrofoam and the holes are different sizes.
You may have to enlarge some of the holes with a drill bit.
You could just buy a smaller dowel and save this step….
But some of us are stubborn. 🙂
Step 3: Drill holes
Line up the dowel rods and drill holes on both of the side pieces.
Drill a corresponding hole all the way through the center piece.
(Keep in mind….you have not attached the side pieces yet….so this makes it easier).
Step 4: Stain frame and dowels with dark wood stain.
Step 5: Fit dowels into holes and attach side pieces
Thread dowel through center hole.
On the larger side thread four fishing floats on each dowel and two fishing floats on the smaller side.
Fit dowels into holes and attach side pieces.
This takes time and a little patience and lots of compliments. 🙂
Step 6: Attach L brackets
Just like jewelry.
A project isn’t complete without a little accessory.
Attach the L brackets to all four corners.
I LOVE how it turned out and every time I walked by it yesterday…..I smiled.
A DIY project years and lots of dreams in the making.
And it happened….all because of a fishing float. 🙂
Cute! I had a come apart when I read you almost did! Hugs from another Ky girl!:)
I always say that there is someone directing the concert of our lives. The way things happen is just too extraordinary to just be serendipitous. I love how it turned out!! Great creative thinking KariAnne. Hugs,
This is perfect. I love, love, love it and the fishing floats are perfect. Great tutorial.
Well! I'm about to have me a come a-part because I have NEVER heard of an abakus... you should have a questionnaire later asking WHO here "pretended" they knew ... HaHa. . Or should I be embarrassed? Never to old to learn! I love the way it looks though :-)
I need to make this!! Where do I find fishing floats? I googled and couldn't find these...
Jeni, I found some of these floats. I googled commercial fishing floats. Here is the link to the ones I found. The brand name is Spondex. https://www.sealifegifts.net/Commercial-Fishing-floats--638.html ~Michelle
I would never have guessed when I got up this morning that I would find the need to have a giant Asian counting system in my home!! Who'duh thunk it? Now, thanks to your fabulous tutorial, I'm feeling the need. And thank you for the reminder to keep our eyes open for ways to complete our long held 'think I want to make it' projects! You are my favorite rockstar!
You is just so daggumed clever Ms. Karianne! Since the floats are made of foam, I wonder if one could take a pool noodle and cut it into rounds --- think it would hold the paint? Just a thought and I may very well have to pull apart a pallet and cut into a pool noodle and see what I can come up with. Once again, thanks for the inspiration!
Really cute and unusual. I love it!
I love it when a plan comes together! You are a very creative Rock Star!
You were right! It looks great in your home! Splendid addition! =)
This is darling Karianne! I love it up against the built-ins. It gives it such character!
You can buy fishing floats here: https://www.sealifegifts.net/floats_2.html Can't wait for mine to be delivered so I can start my project. So excited!
I LOVE THIS!!!! Excellent job Karianne... now to find some fishing floats! Susan
Fishing floats - who would have thought. That is genius! I love it in your bookcase…the perfect backdrop!
Those are not wood? I've seen foam ones that really looked the part ~ foam, that is! Love that ABACUS, girl! And I, too, know the feeling of finally spotting just that one/missing piece for a long-wished-for project completion! I've never had a "come-apart," but I've certainly darn near "w*t my knickers!" ... as my fave *elder gals* would say! (Oops! Hope I don't get "drummed off" here!?) Keep those fabulous projects coming ~ they are definitely Rock Star calibre!!!
Terrific project, which I've Pinned...and the post was worth reading just for the "come-apart" bit. Got to remember that one.
Now, we need instructions on how to USE an abacus! (I know...just look it up on the net... Very, very cool, indeed!
Way to go! I think Kentucky folks are good at thinking outside of the box. You proved the point with this clever project. I can see classroom teachers wanting your take on this invention! Sheila e
Awesome abacus! So glad you can check that box off on the project list! A few years ago, I created an abacus for my girls on our landing upstairs. It was about 4' x 4'. We have this rather large opening above our stairs that they could have easily reached over the top and fell into the stairwell. It made me so nervous. So, I had my hubby cut pvc pipe to attach to each side of the opening and I then spray painted cut sections of the pvc to attach to the pipe (which would slide back and forth). It was enough to block the opening, still let the light into the space, and the girls had a fun counting game they could play!