Quick and easy box shelf
Custom-size and finish these super-simple box shelves for any room in the house.
These box shelves are amazingly sturdy, thanks to the two-layer, 12mm supawood design. The thickness and the overlapping joints make them strong enough to display or store anything.
YOU WILL NEED:
12mm SupaWood cut to size*
Wood glue
Contact adhesive
20mm Panel pins
Edging strip - to match colour or finish
Prominent Paints - sheen - in your choice of colour
Foam paint roller and tray
Small paintbrush
Bosch MultiSander and 240-grit sandpaper
Corner clamp, bar or strap clamp
Buy all your supplies at your local Builders Warehouse.
HERE'S HOW:
When having your board cut you can ask them to see how many they can fit onto a sheet. You should be able to get one large and two small boxes from one sheet.
After deciding on the size of your box, you'll need four inner panels 12mm narrower than the final box depths. The four outer panels will match the final depth. Measure the inner box after assembly to get the dimensions for the back panel.
1. Glue and nail the inner box together. Let the glue dry before applying the outer box.
2. To make the outer box, apply a bead of glue about 10mm in from the edges and a second bead in a zigzag pattern in the middle. Align the panels flush with the front. Nail the parts together with 20mm panel pins. Be careful. It's tough to fix the damage from nails that miss the mark. If you have corner clamps or bar clamps, use them to squeeze closed any gaps. A tight joint will reduce the amount of sanding and filling you have to do later. Let the glue dry overnight.
3. Sand the edges with 240-grit sandpaper until they're smooth and wipe clean. If you didn't buy PG Bison SupaWood, you need to spend quite a bit of time sanding the outside of the box to make it smooth. Most other MDF has a fairly rough texture and the fibres will show through the paint.
It's always better to specify that you want SupaWood and not an inferior alternative.
4. Use a foam roller to apply Prominent Paints Sheen to the inside and outside of the box. You will need a small paintbrush to get into the corners. Apply two coats, letting the first coat dry completely before applying the second coat.
If you have a Bosch PFS spray, painting is oh so easy. Do make sure to protect surfaces from overspray.
5. Apply contact adhesive to the front edges of the box and the edging strip and let stand for 10 minutes. Carefully place the edging strip over the edge and press down firmly. Use a sharp craft knife to cut away any excess.
DIY Tip:
You can also purchase iron-on edging strip. Don't have the iron too hot and ensure that the strip adheres properly.
You can make your box shelves to any size. This project shows you how to make a shelf with a fairly thick surround for a sturdy shelf. If you are unable to find edging strip to match your choice of colour, use wood filler to fill in the gaps on the front edges and sand smooth before painting.