Bracket shelf

The bracket shelf is a decorative style more suited to formal rooms. It is designed to accommodate a 11/2" perimeter moulding to give the shelf a more substantial, architecturally pleasing appearance. Two pieces of oak stock are screwed face to face to form the shelf piece. Other types of wood or veneered material can be used depending on your décor requirements.This "tree" also makes a great place to hang plants for your deck or garden. Additional arms of varying lengths can be easily added.

Step By Step

1. Pre-drill one piece of oak with a #8 screwsetter bit, and secure the two pieces of wood together with 1 1/4" wood screws.
2. Cut the three pieces of outside trim or moulding to size, and secure them to the edges with glue and 1" finishing nails or brad nails. Use wood filler in the screw locations. When dry, sand the filled areas, and stain or paint the shelf to your desired colour.
3. There are different types and styles of wood and metal brackets to attach the shelf to the wall. You can even make your own brackets using a scroll saw. The brackets we used have pre-drilled screw holes for attaching the shelf. They do not have pre-drilled screw holes for attaching the finished unit to a wall. To hang the shelf, drill two, 3/16" holes through the wall side of the bracket.

What You'll Need

Materials

• oak or oak veneer, 7 1/2" x 36" (2)
• 1 1/4" wood screws 2173-560
• 1 1/2" trim 5 feet
• sandpaper 1233-793
• stain/finish Minwax gun stock stain 1872-030
• Minwax Fast Dry Urethane 1877-259
• shelf brackets (2) 5057-877
• wood glue 2020-150

Tools

• measuring tape 1048-985
• mitre saw 1347-584
• sander 1262-093
• square 1070-062
• drill 1239-210
• #8 screwsetter bit 1070-060

Step Shelf

This step shelf is a relatively easy project to build, and will be an interesting architectural addition to any wall. It is an excellent way to display curios, cups or a picture collection. It imitates a set of stairs, with one stringer supporting four stair treads or steps that become the shelves. Hang hand towels or mugs from the shaker pegs beneath the shelves.

Step By Step

1. Using the pattern provided, transfer the pattern for the stringer to a piece of 1" x 8" pine. Cut out the stringer using a mitre saw. Use a jig saw to finish the mitre cut in the corners.
2. On the stringer, use a 3/8" bit to pre-drill the locations for the shaker pegs, to a depth of a half inch.
3. Cut the four stair treads from 1" x 6" pine.
4. On each tread (shelf), pre-drill the hole for the dowel/baluster with a 3/4" forstner bit, to a depth of 3/8".
5. Install the tread nosing using glue and 3/4" finishing nails.
6. Sand the tread pieces and stringer.
7. Secure the treads to the stringer with 11/2" wood screws and glue. Check to see that the treads are square with the stringer. Pre-drill the screw locations with a #8 screwsetter bit.
8. Cut the four dowel pieces to size, mitering one end to 45 degrees. Sand the dowels if necessary.
9. Secure the dowels into the steps using glue, ensuring that they are perpendicular to the step and at a uniform depth. Set aside to dry for 24 hours.
10. Cut the railing pieces to size from 1" x 2" pine. After sanding, glue the two pieces together and secure with masking tape. Set aside to dry.
11. Place the shelf on its side, mark the dowel positions on the underside of the railing, and secure with glue and masking tape. A small brad nail in each dowel could also be used.
12. Secure the shaker pegs in the pre-drilled holes with a little glue.
13. Fill the screw holes with wood filler, and sand when dry.
14. Prime and paint the finished project.
15. Use the appropriate hangers to mount the shelf on the wall.

What You'll Need

Materials

• 1" x 6" pine, clear/select 3 feet
• 1" x 8" pine, clear/select 3 feet
• 1" x 2" pine, clear/select 3 feet
• tread nosing 8 feet
• 3/4" dowel 6 feet (2) 2624-449
• 1 1/2" wood screws 1248-938
• 7/8" finishing nails 2134-041
• Minwax wood putty 1627-136
• masking tape 1670-481
• fine sandpaper 1233-793
• shaker pegs, .75 x 2 1/2" x .385 (4) 8295-566
• flush mount hangers (2) 2353-429
• Beauti-Tone wood primer 1831-441

Tools

• mitre saw 1347-584
• jig saw 1268-489
• measuring tape 1048-985
• square 1070-062
• drill 1239-210
• 3/4" wood bit (forstner) 1213-813
• 3/8" wood bit 1213-788
• #8 screwsetter bit 1070-060
• sander 1262-093
• paint brush 1614-462
• hammer 1030-566