How to Recycle Scrap Lumber and Make the Perfect Rustic Farmhouse Shelf

This rustic farmhouse shelf unit is a great project for using lumber scraps. The size can also be easily adapted to the scraps that you have available.

Supplies and Equipment:

Proxxon Chop and Miter Saw KSG 80

Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E

FolkArt Monument Gray Milk Paint

Liquid wood adhesive

Clamps

Hanging hardware

Scrap lumber

Instruction for making a rustic farmhouse shelf:

1. Gather lumber scraps. I used slats from leftover lattice.
   
   
   
2. Cut the blanks for the shelf using the chop saw or Proxxon Table Saw FET. I'll share my measurements, but they are easily adaptable to your needs. The lattice slats were 1½" wide and 3/8" thick. I cut two 7½" lengths for the bottom of the box; one 7½" length for the back brace; two 3" lengths for the sides; two 8¼" lengths for the front and back of the bottom box; and, two 11½" and two 8½" lengths for the back.
   
   
   
3. Set the longitudinal fence stop to ensure the blanks are identical lengths. 
   
   
   
4. I did a minimal amount of sanding since I wanted a rustic look, but used the disc sander to smooth out any gross splinters.
   
   
   
5. With the blanks all cut it's assembly time—glue, clamp, dry, repeat. Start by gluing and clamping the two bottom pieces. 
   
   
   
6. Next, glue the 3" side pieces in place.
   
   
   
7. Attach the hanging hardware to the back brace piece.
   
   
   
8. Assemble and glue the six pieces of the back unit. You can get creative with the four vertical slats for the back. Make them equal or uneven lengths. Square the tops or cut them at angles. This is a rustic piece—they can be a little wonky.
   
   
   
9. Next, glue the front and back pieces to the partially constructed box.
   
   
   
10. Finished the shelf as desired, or leave it unfinished. I used a one-to-one dilute solution of milk paint and water.
    
    
    
11. Display and enjoy your rustic farmhouse shelf.
    

Carole

How to make a simple spice rack

 Hi folks.  My friend has asked me to make a spice rack for her kitchen.  Says she is tired of all the spices falling out everytime she needs one.  And if hers is like mine, I can never find the one Im looking for until I drag them all out.  So, today let's make her a spice rack.

The first thing I did was sort through my wood on hand.   I found a piece of 1/8" oak plywood and a couple pieces of some pine I felt would work.  

1st step was to cut my piece to length.  I left the plywood piece as is thinking that it was as good a size as anything else.  so I will cut my wood for the outside "box", and shelves to fit it.

The plywood (back), measures 23 1/2 x 15" x 3 1/4 "  Sides will be 24 x 3 1/4  Top and bottom 15 1/2 x 2 1/4 x 3/8    There will be 3 shelves which measure 14 7/8 x 2 5/8" x 1/8"

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I used the Proxxon mini table saw to cut my wood.   And Ill be using this saw in the next steps also.

I need a way to put these thin boards together.  I know I cannot use nails or screws so I am going to make some grooves where the pieces will fit together.  

I set up the Proxxon table saw to make some cuts partway through my wood.  I move the saw blade so that it is about 1/8" high.   then I move the fence to 1/4" away from the sawblad and run one long side of each of my sides, top, and bottom pices..  The groove is not quite wide enough to secure the plywood back piece in so I moved the fence out just a little and ran them all through again being careful not to make my groove too wide.  I want my pieces to fit snugly.

Looks like it fits but before we glue it we need to make the slots for the shelves.

Do this in the same manner.  I took 2 passes to make it the right width.  

Make sure both sides are exactly the same.  

 

Now glue the sides, top and bottom together and let the glue dry well.  Then slide the shelf pieces in.

I painted it with white primer.  My friend will paint it whatever color she wants.   Look how it looks when I put some spices in it.

I added 2 sawtooth hangers on the back.

Thats all folks....Thanks for visiting.  Come back soon and see what we're making next

Thanks Proxxon, awesome tools.   Carol

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