Simple Furniture Designs
©
child’s wood stool
#63 KD shelving system
Thursday, June 14, 2012
This is a really simple system and very easy to make using a chop/cutoff saw. I used a 1x10 for the shelf, but you could also use a 1x8 or anything you have -- metric or not -- since the design is flexible. There are three parts to each stacking unit: the shelf and the two identical L shaped shelf supports. The shelf is secured to the shelf supports by blocks under the shelf. That seems to work for most cases but you can add screws/pins through the back lip of the shelf for a more robust attachment -- or make one of the alternative designs where the shelf better captures the shelf support. I made this at 30” wide and found it very strong. So going to 36” or 42” or maybe even 48” should work if you are using 3/4” pine. Test your stock first. You can also add a support board midway along -- as shown in one of the alternatives designs -- if you need to beef it up a bit (you can do that for any sagging book case shelf).
Assembly notes:
Step #1: Check the lengths of the 1x10 stock boards (the closes metric size stock will work) to be sure you you can get the best combination of long and short pieces out of one board. Cut the 1x4’s using the same stops on your cut off saw.
Step #2: To create the L shelf supports (two per unit) glue/nail the 1x4’s to the 1x10’s keeping them square -- square is very important.
Step #3: Cut one back lip 1x4 board per shelf unit and glue/nail it to the back of the shelf. Note that the drawing above is up-side-down to show the positions of the blocks. You can add the screw holes now or later if you think you will need them. (Use a #6 x 1 1/4” screw installed from the back)
Step #4: Glue/nail on the 1x1 blocks using the thickness of the 1x4 as a guide and in 1 1/4” from the ends. You want them reasonable snug.
Step #5: That’s it. Make as many units as you want it high. I didn’t even bother to finish the units since I though the raw pine with knots looked perfect. You could use use a clear finish or paint if you want. There are alternative designs below which will show some of the variations you can make.
