kids letter shelf woodworking plans

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2 – 1×6 @ 8 feet long
1 – 1/4” plywood 23 ½” x 29”
(for both A and Z letters buy a 1/2 sheet of 1/4″ plywood)
1 1/4″ Pocket Hole Screws
2” (could get away with smaller) finish nails and wood glue
Hanging Bracket/Hardware that attaches to back (try heavy duty hooks)

Tools:

measuring tape
square
pencil
safety glasses
hearing protection
Kreg Jig™
drill
compound miter saw
level
countersink drill bit

Cut List:

1 – 1×6 @ 8” (long point to long point, both ends cut at 15 degrees off square, ends NOT parallel)
2 – 1×6 @ 4 1/2” (long point to short point, both ends cut at 15 degrees off square, ends ARE parallel)
2 – 1×6 @ 6” (long point to short point, both ends cut at 15 degrees off square, ends ARE parallel)
2 – 1×6 @ 30” (long point to short point, both ends cut at 15 degrees off square, ends ARE parallel)
1 – 1×6 @ 7 1/4” (long point to long point, both ends cut at 15 degrees off square, ends NOT parallel)
1 – 1×6 @ 10 5/8” (long point to long point, both ends cut at 15 degrees off square, ends NOT parallel)
1 – 1×6 @ 16 3/4” (long point to long point, both ends cut at 15 degrees off square, ends NOT parallel)
2 – 1×6 @ 5 1/4” (long point to short point, both ends cut at 15 degrees off square, ends ARE parallel)
1 – 1×6 @ 7 5/8” (long point to long point, both ends cut at 15 degrees off square, ends NOT parallel)
1 – 1/4″ Plywood @ 29” x 23 7/8”

General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain.

Step 1

TIP – If you cut your back plywood first, you can use it as a template for assembling all the pieces! So lay the back plywood down, and then build on top of it – just be careful not to drip glue and stay inside the rectangle. I’d suggest marking centers as well to keep everything square and symmetrical.

Start by attaching the center to the two short legs.

Step 2

And now the leg bottoms – we are just working our way outward.

Step 3

And now the sides.

Step 4

And finally the top. Adjust here for square.

Step 5

Add the top shelf.

Step 6

Now build the center piece.

Step 7

And attach it in place.

Step 8

Trace the letter on your plywood and cut out with a jigsaw. Attach to back.

Shelf will be heavy, so make sure you attach to a stud in the wall. My recommendation would be to add an additional 1×2 support at the very top and also very bottom, and screw directly into the wall.

Step 9

For hanging the shelves, I highly recommend adding some 1x2s inside the letter to give you something to screw directly into the wall into a stud in the wall. These shelves will be very very heavy and we don’t want them falling off the wall! When you do hang it, it is very important to secure the structure of the letter (the 1x6s or the added 1×2 cleats) into a stud in the wall and use the appropriate hanging system for the weight of your shelf. Also consider added weight of shelf objects in hanging this shelf.

DISCLAIMER: This shelf will be heavy. Hang and use at your own risk.

Finishing Instructions:

Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth. It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.

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