Upgrade the look of inexpensive outdoor solar lights with just a few pieces of cedar. The solar spotlight light I’m inserting is perfect for this installation because it has a pivoting solar panel that can be mounted on the cedar board, while the light remains adjustable below.(Note: I bought my solar spotlight locally, but then found a less expensive online. See link in the materials list below.) Read on to see how easy it is to assemble your own!

 

Cost: About $15 per light

Time: Less than 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy. The cuts are simple and the pieces come together easily with a few nails.

Tape Measure

Speed Square

Drill/driver

Miter Saw

Jigsaw

Pneumatic Nail Gun

Note: This list may include affiliate links

Solar Light

(1) 1 x 2 Board. Figure just under 3-feet per light.

(1) 1 x 6 Board. Figure just under 6-feet per light.

1¼ inch Nails

Adhesive Caulk

1 x 2 Sides – 2 @ 13¾ inches

1 x 6 Front – 1 @ 19¼ inches

1 x 6 Back – 1 @ 25½ inches

1 x 6 Light Shades – 2 @ 7 inches

1 x 6 Top – 1 @ 7 inches

 

Steps

 

1. Cut the Parts

 

Using the cut list above, cut 1 x 2 Sides and the 1 x 6 Front, Back and Top to Length. On the 1 x 6 Front and Back pieces, mark a line 5½-inches from the bottom edge of each board. Draw a 45-degree line from one end of the line to the opposite corner of the board. On the second board, create a 45-degree cut line running the opposite direction. The lowest “triangle” on each board is the waste side of the cut line.
Solar-Cedar-Path-Light-by-Build-Basic---Step-1-copy

www.Build-Basic.com2. Mark the Front and Back

 

Using a miter saw set to 45-degrees, cut the diagonal line of each board to create spikes that will drive into the ground and hold the light upright.
Solar-Cedar-Path-Light-by-Build-Basic---Step-2-copy

www.Build-Basic.com

3. Cut the Light Shades

 

Mark the cut lines of both Light Shades on a 1 x 6 board using the drawing provided. Adjust the angle of the saw blade to match that of the cut line. Cut the angled line, and then the straight line–This will prevent you from mitering short pieces, which can be dangerous.
Solar-Cedar-Path-Light-by-Build-Basic---Step-3-copy

www.Build-Basic.com

4. Attach the Sides

 

Set the 1 x 2 Sides parallel on the work surface. Set the Front 1 x 6 on top of the Sides. Adjust the Sides so that they run flush with the edges of the 1 x 6, and their ends set even with the square-cut end of the board. Using a pneumatic nail gun and 1¼-inch nails, secure the Sides by shooting three nails through the 1 x 6 and into each 1 x 2.
Solar-Cedar-Path-Light-by-Build-Basic---Step-4-copy

www.Build-Basic.com

5. Place the 1 x 6 Back

 

Flip the assembly over, and then place the 1 x 6 Back onto the exposed edges of the 1 x 2 Sides. Adjust the board until its edges run flush with the outside face of each 1 x 2, and the 1 x 2 Sides end at the beginning of the tapered cut. If done correctly, this should leave a 6¼-inch overhang on the opposite end.
Solar-Cedar-Path-Light-by-Build-Basic---Step-5-copy

www.Build-Basic.com

6. Secure the Back Board

 

Using a pneumatic nail gun and 1¼-inch nails, secure the 1 x 6 Board in place by nailing through the 1 x 6 and into the edges of the 1 x 2 Sides.
Solar-Cedar-Path-Light-by-Build-Basic---Step-6-copy

www.Build-Basic.com

7. Place the Light Shades

 

Rest a Light Shade against the assembly, as shown. Clamping the board in place can be a bit tricky, but I was able to get one to hold near the low end of the tapered cut.
Solar-Cedar-Path-Light-by-Build-Basic---Step-7-copy

www.Build-Basic.com

8. Secure the Light Shades

 

Place the assembly face down on the work surface so that the Light Shade hangs over the edge of the table. Using a pneumatic nail gun and 1¼-inch nails, nail through the 1 x 6 Back and into the Light Shade to hold it in place. Now you can either set the assembly on blocks or on its side to attach the second Light Shade.
Solar-Cedar-Path-Light-by-Build-Basic---Step-8-copy

www.Build-Basic.com

9. Modify the Light (Conditional)

 

If your light has a lawn spike like mine, feel free to break off the spike using a pair of pliers. With this light, it made it easier to work with for the rest of the build.
Solar-Cedar-Path-Light-by-Build-Basic---Step-9-copy

www.Build-Basic.com

10. Mark the Top

 

To get sun exposure, the solar panel will be mounted on the top of the assembly, with the rest of the light dropping into the space between the Light Shades. To create the hole in the 1 x 6 Top, first place the solar panel on the Top. Center the solar panel, and then slide it forward until the back of the light has at least ¾-inch clearance from the edge of the Top. Using a pencil, outline the solar panel. Now draw a second line that sets about 1/8-inch inside the outline on all but two sides. If you’re working with the circular solar panel, make a oval so that the panel can slide through, but not fall through once it’s in place.
Solar-Cedar-Path-Light-by-Build-Basic---Step-10-copy

www.Build-Basic.com

11. Prep the Cut

 

Set the Top on scrap blocks. Using a drill/driver, make a hole inside the circle or near each corner of the rectangle.
Solar-Cedar-Path-Light-by-Build-Basic---Step-11-copy

www.Build-Basic.com

12. Cut the Opening

 

Slide the blade of a jigsaw into a hole drilled in Step 11, and then cut the line(s) until the center piece falls away.
Solar-Cedar-Path-Light-by-Build-Basic---Step-12-copy

www.Build-Basic.com

13. Insert the Light

 

Tip the light so that it slides through the opening. Apply a bead of clear caulk or glue to the ledge, and then press the panel down into place. Allow the adhesive to dry, or apply masking tape to hold it in place while you complete the assembly.
Solar-Cedar-Path-Light-by-Build-Basic---Step-13-copy

www.Build-Basic.com

14. Place the Top and Light

 

Slide the Light between the Shades and rest the Top onto the Light Shades and against the Back.
Solar-Cedar-Path-Light-by-Build-Basic---Step-14-copy

www.Build-Basic.com

15. Secure the Top

 

Clamp the Top in place. Using a pneumatic nail gun, shoot two 1¼-inch nails through the Top and into the Light Shades to hold it in place. Just be sure to keep the nails closer to the back of the Top so that they don’t drive through the thin part of the Light Shade’s taper.
Solar-Cedar-Path-Light-by-Build-Basic---Step-15-copy

www.Build-Basic.com

 

MORE BUILDING PLANS

 

10 thoughts on “Build a Solar Cedar Path Light

  1. Pingback: 28 Stunning & Easy DIY Outdoor Lights - A Piece Of Rainbow

  2. lelobo

    Hi Jenn,
    The solar light project is well thought out and will surely save some scrapes and bruises. This project is of special noteworthiness to me because I am one to enjoy doing exactly this type of thing. That is, to take a product that is sold as complete and to modify it some for either personal taste or a new vocation or use.

    When time permits I enjoy shopping through the sales or liquidation sections for some great deals on products that could be good candidates for these types of projects. I find this fun because because it is an exercise for the grey matter to try to visualize a possible modification and/or alternate use for different products that are offered. Some products are offered dirt cheap because of missing pieces, used as demo’s, returned and repaired etc.

    So there you have it, some folks go for a jog to exercise the legs, this could be seen as a jog for the noggin’. So when I saw this project of yours I thoroughly enjoyed it and welcome the idea that I am not alone out there joggin’, so to speak. Hehee.

    Thanks Jenn, Ray R.

    Reply

  3. The Jewell Family

    I love the look of the finished path light. I just bought a home that I am going to close on in August. This will be one of the first outside projects we do for our new country home. Thank you for this idea.

    Reply

    1. Jenn Post author

      What a sweet comment. Congratulations on your new country home. It sounds wonderful! And I’m so glad you liked the project! I’d love to see pictures if you decide to make the path lights!

      Reply

Leave us a Comment!