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Swedish Wall Shelf
By Dave Munkittrick
Here’s a charming shelf that’s small enough to fit on any wall and can
be built in an afternoon. It makes a great gift and it’s easy to make a bunch all at
once. While the design is based on a 19th-century Swedish-American clock shelf,
its use today is limited only by your imagination. Kitchen spice shelf, photo display shelf, knickknack shelf—it’s great for just about anything, except maybe encyclopedias! |
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Trace the outline of your template
onto the wood. Take advantage of grain
patterns around knots that follow the
shape of your piece. |
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Click on any image to view a larger version.
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Cut out the pieces on the scroll saw. For
tight inside corners like this use what’s called a
“zero-radius” turn. Here’s how to do it: Cut all
the way into the corner, then rotate the
piece around the blade by letting
the teeth slowly nibble away
as you complete the turn. If
you’ve never done a zeroradius
turn before you can
always make relief cuts into
the corners to give your
blade more room. |
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Outline the shelf brackets onto the back of the wall panel. This will
show you exactly where to drill the pilot holes for the screws. |
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Drill and countersink pilot holes through the back panel and into
the shelf brackets. Use a second clamp to hold the assembly onto your
workbench. Use a square to help guide your drill and place the holes where
the brackets are widest. |
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Nail the top to the brackets with 3d finish nails.
Use a small hammer and tap (don’t drive) the nail
into the bracket. Use a nail set to countersink the
nail heads. |
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Clamp the valance onto the underside
of the top with spring clamps. Use a thin
bead of glue to minimize squeeze out. A
damp cloth can be used to wipe away any
excess glue before it sets. |
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This story previously appeared in American Woodworker February 2000, Issue #78.
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