Have you ever thought of building your own wall shelves? Yes, its quite possible and fun to do. All you would need is some time, probably a long weekend, some skills with the drill machine and a visit to the local hardware and glass store.
Supplies :
1. Ply (0.75'' thick)
2. Sandpaper (D-150/grit 150)
3. Acrylic putty
4. Wood primer
5. Enamel Paint
6. Turpentine Oil
7. Glass shelf clips
8. Glass panels
9. Iron angles
10. Screws, brush & drill machine
To begin the project first get the ply and glass panels cut to size and the glass edges nicely polished.
I have used two 35'' by 7.5'' and one 35'' by 9.5'' ply. Also the glass panel size is 7'' by 6.5'' (4 pieces) and 8'' by 9'' (2 pieces). The glass panel edges have been cut to a dome shape.
This DIY took 3 days for me.
Day 1
To get the ply ready, apply the acrylic putty on both sides and all edges on all three pieces of the board. Make sure to cover the floor with lots of newspaper and wear gloves (its going to get messy). I used Acrylic putty which is ready to use; in case you use dry powder putty mix it with water and get the right consistency (generally 2 parts putty with 1 part water). Apply using a putty plate/blade (easily available in Indian hardware stores).
Apply two coats of putty on each board. Let the first coat dry for 2-3 hours before the second application.
In between the two coats of putty, you can get your angles and screws ready by applying enamel paint (I have used black enamel). Enamel paints tend to take a day to dry (longer in humid weather).
After the second coat of putty is dry, use sand paper (fine sand paper with grit 150) to level the putty surface and make it smooth.
Last step for this day would be applying one coat of wood primer (mix turpentine with primer to thin it out-approx 10% turpentine) all around the boards and leave them to dry overnight. This primer helps in better adhesion of the paint to the board.
Day 2
The boards should be nice and dry by now, paint them as you would like (I did 2 red boards and 1 black). Use your imagination. If it is for a kid's room, you could paint cartoons or baby patterns.
I have used enamel to get that glossy look. Matte finish could work wonders too.
Now here is the waiting bit: enamel will take time drying, a minimum of 24 hours. I was lucky as it was an extremely warm day; in case it is humid, wait for your boards to dry completely else you might end up getting that beautiful glossy finish marred. Patience is the key!
Day 3
Everything is beautiful and ready so what are we waiting for? Get ready with those drills, its time for the final set-up.You might need an extra pair of hands for holding the boards.
Get your boards ready. First screw the glass clips on either side of the board (approx 1'' from the edge). For the larger panel I have used two clips on each side of the board to make it sturdier. Drill holes on the underside of the boards and fasten the angles with screws, equidistant from the edges of the board. Based on the layout you had planned for the shelves, make marks on the wall for the other leg of the angle. Drill holes and fix the boards screwing the angles tightly to the wall (as you can see, I did mine in a 3 step sort of pattern, and I kept them equidistant).
Next we need to fix the glass panels. Place your panels in the already hooked (horizontal) clips and make markings for the clip that needs to go on the wall. Drill holes and screw those vertical clips to the wall. Slide in the panel and tighten the screws.
Its all up there. Place books, trophies, frames or whatever you like.
These shelves are sure to catch the attention of your visitors and earn praise for your handiwork.
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| Home-made book shelf |
Supplies :
1. Ply (0.75'' thick)
2. Sandpaper (D-150/grit 150)
3. Acrylic putty
4. Wood primer
5. Enamel Paint
6. Turpentine Oil
7. Glass shelf clips
8. Glass panels
9. Iron angles
10. Screws, brush & drill machine
To begin the project first get the ply and glass panels cut to size and the glass edges nicely polished.
I have used two 35'' by 7.5'' and one 35'' by 9.5'' ply. Also the glass panel size is 7'' by 6.5'' (4 pieces) and 8'' by 9'' (2 pieces). The glass panel edges have been cut to a dome shape.
This DIY took 3 days for me.
Day 1
To get the ply ready, apply the acrylic putty on both sides and all edges on all three pieces of the board. Make sure to cover the floor with lots of newspaper and wear gloves (its going to get messy). I used Acrylic putty which is ready to use; in case you use dry powder putty mix it with water and get the right consistency (generally 2 parts putty with 1 part water). Apply using a putty plate/blade (easily available in Indian hardware stores).
Apply two coats of putty on each board. Let the first coat dry for 2-3 hours before the second application.
In between the two coats of putty, you can get your angles and screws ready by applying enamel paint (I have used black enamel). Enamel paints tend to take a day to dry (longer in humid weather).
After the second coat of putty is dry, use sand paper (fine sand paper with grit 150) to level the putty surface and make it smooth.
Last step for this day would be applying one coat of wood primer (mix turpentine with primer to thin it out-approx 10% turpentine) all around the boards and leave them to dry overnight. This primer helps in better adhesion of the paint to the board.
Day 2
The boards should be nice and dry by now, paint them as you would like (I did 2 red boards and 1 black). Use your imagination. If it is for a kid's room, you could paint cartoons or baby patterns.
I have used enamel to get that glossy look. Matte finish could work wonders too.
Now here is the waiting bit: enamel will take time drying, a minimum of 24 hours. I was lucky as it was an extremely warm day; in case it is humid, wait for your boards to dry completely else you might end up getting that beautiful glossy finish marred. Patience is the key!
Day 3
Everything is beautiful and ready so what are we waiting for? Get ready with those drills, its time for the final set-up.You might need an extra pair of hands for holding the boards.
Get your boards ready. First screw the glass clips on either side of the board (approx 1'' from the edge). For the larger panel I have used two clips on each side of the board to make it sturdier. Drill holes on the underside of the boards and fasten the angles with screws, equidistant from the edges of the board. Based on the layout you had planned for the shelves, make marks on the wall for the other leg of the angle. Drill holes and fix the boards screwing the angles tightly to the wall (as you can see, I did mine in a 3 step sort of pattern, and I kept them equidistant).
Next we need to fix the glass panels. Place your panels in the already hooked (horizontal) clips and make markings for the clip that needs to go on the wall. Drill holes and screw those vertical clips to the wall. Slide in the panel and tighten the screws.
Its all up there. Place books, trophies, frames or whatever you like.
These shelves are sure to catch the attention of your visitors and earn praise for your handiwork.
Brilliantly detailed post :)
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