How To Make A Simple Wood Shelf

With the right plans, materials, and equipment, you can build this Simple Wood Shelf, as shown here.

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Materials
  • 1" x 8" x 12" Material/Hard Wood of Choice (Oak Recommended): One Piece for the Corbels
  • 1" x 8" x 48" Material/Hard Wood of Choice (Oak Recommended): One Piece for the Shelf
  • 1 1/2" Wood Screws; 1/4 lb.
  • 1 1/4" Pocket Screws (Fine Thread); 1/4 lb.
  • Sandpaper
  • Wood Filler and Glue
  • Polyurethane Poly

Tools
  • Table Saw
  • Tape Measure
  • Pencil
  • Miter Saw
  • Band Saw
  • Pocket Hole System
  • Belt Sander
  • Palm Sander
  • Router w/desired bit
  • Power Drill with DeWalt 9/64 Tapered Bit with Plug Cutter
  • Level
  • Screw Gun
  • Two Gripping Clamps

Step 1: Cut the Corbel Pieces - Determine the desired size of the Shelf and Brackets/Corbels

  • Select the 1" x 8" x 12" (Picture above shows a 1 x 10) Material: Make a desired corbel pattern or use the dimensions provided above and transfer the design to your material
  • Select the material w/image: Using a Band Saw, cutout the Corbel
  • Select the Corbel: Using a Sander, sand the Corbel, as shown above
  • Select the Corbel: Using a Router and desired Bit, router the facing edge (do not router the back and top edges)
  • Select the Corbel; Using the Pocket-hole System, drill a Pocket Hole along the inside edge to receive a screw to connect it to the wall
  • Sand the Corbel
  • Repeat this process for the other Corbel

Step 2: Cut the Shelf Piece - Determine the desired size of the Shelf

  • Select the 1" x 8" x 48" Material: Scribe a 2" radius on each of the two, front corners
  • Select the material w/radius drawn: Using a Band Saw, cut the two, front corners to round them
  • Select the Shelf: Using a Router and desired Bit, router the facing edge and two sides (do not router the back edge - I did not router the Top Edge, only the Bottom)
  • Determine the placement of your shelf and the manner in which you will hang it; I used the Poket-Hole System as I hung my shelf on a wood wall panel; Using a level, scribe a line on the wall to represent the length/placement of your shelf
  • Determine the placement of the Pocket Holes; Mark the hole placement along the top, back edge of the shelf and drill the holes
  • Select the Shelf: Using a Palm Sander and hand sander, sand the Shelf material

Step 3: Assemble the Shelf - Select the Shelf Pieces

  • Select the Shelf and two, Corbel Pieces; Determine the placement of the corbels and mark the placement of them on the top and bottom surface of the shelf (use a light pencil mark or tape); Using a drill and 9/64" bit, from the top, drill two, counter-sunk holes in from each edge to receive the screws to attach the corbels
  • Using Glue and 2" screws, connect the pieces, as shown above
  • Complete all finish sanding
  • Apply desired stain/paint and/or Poly

    • Copyright 2013 - Wayne Murray

    If you are a member of a non-profit organization and have any requests or suggestions regarding projects for your group, you can send Rod an email at: rodneyg@cheqnet.net