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by:
Gary Walchuk
photo: Simon Cheung
illustration: Len Churchill |
COUNTRY SHELF |
| Learn
how to cut some curves |
Besides
being a great addition to your kitchen or bathroom, this country
shelf is a good exercise in cutting curves and sanding edges.
A bandsaw or jigsaw makes quick work of the cutting part, and
a drum sander is ideal for finishing the cuts to perfection.
You can also use a scrollsaw followed by some hand-sanding.
Begin
by making tracing templates for the shelf sides, back top and
back bottom. For the back parts you can get away with a half-pattern
template, flipping it over on the centre line of your stock
to mark the opposite side.
Sand all of the wood flat and
smooth before you do anything else. Trace, then cut two sides
and one of each of a back top and bottom. Cut the two rectangular
back boards to size, while you’re at it. Sand away all
sharp edges except the straight back edges of the side members.
Both shelves have a curved front
edge, which can be drawn directly onto the wood with a large
compass. If you don’t have one, just tape a pencil to
a stick with a nail at the other end to serve as a pivot point.
The top shelf has a 16"-radius curve and measures 6 1/4"
at its widest point. The bottom shelf has a 14" radius
and measures 4 1/4" wide overall. Mark and cut both shelves
to shape, then sand the front edges smooth.
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ABOVE FOR DETAILED ILLUSTRATION |
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Assembly
is easy. Join all of the back parts to the back edges of the
sides, spaced 1/2" apart and secured with two 1 1/2"
screws per joint, leaving a 1/2" overhang at the sides.
Make sure the sides are 12" apart, which allows you to
slip in the top shelf to cover the gap between the middle two
back parts. Secure the sides to the shelf edges with countersunk
screws, then plug the holes. The bottom shelf is located 3/4"
down from the top edge of the back bottom and secured with screws
from the back face.
To complete this project, decide
on a clear or painted finish. Once the piece is dry, all you
have to do is mount it on the wall. Be sure to use drywall anchors
to give your shelf solid support.
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