the making of a small wall shelf

Great blog! That should make it nice and easy for anyone wanting to build one.

-- Gary - Never pass up the opportunity to make a mistake look like you planned it that way - Tyler, TX

thanks gary it was acually kinda fun . well except in the middle of it i dropped my camera off the bench and had to go buy a new one !lol

I think I can do that! How about the finish? Your previous project posts were finished marvelously. I wish you can also share your techniques. Thanks man!

-- "Real jocks do it on a bench"

I have made several of these from crown left over from jobs. People love getting them.

I make them the same way that you do except that the return to the wall is a straight 90. The mounting is exactly the same.

I add grooves in the top to hold plates and pictures that lean against the wall.

Now that I think about it, I will have to add these in the projects section.

These are expensive to make based on the lineal foot cost of crown. It works out if I get an extra piece left over from a job.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://americancraftsmanworkshop.com

This is a really informative post. These shelves look complicated to build but your step-wise blog simplifies the construction process. I like the 30 degree return as well. I generally think in terms of 45 but this does add a nice detail to the project.

I am sure that we will see some shelving projects appear in future projects.

-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine

manila boy , im quite sure you can do it ! the finish well i dont always get to finish my bigger jobs as the customer usually already has a “professional ” . however on these small shelves i sometimes spray them with automobile paint .( i painted cars for many years ). this paint works very well on wood and opens up a whole new world of colors . plus metal flake or mother of pearl additives . thanks good luck

todd, my lumber yard makes these and sell them for small mantle tops and they get like 350.00 for them . i just give mine away to customers . in fact yesterday a customer was in the shop to check on his project and i saw him looking at the one i made for this blog and i said if you want that go put it in your car ! he snatched it up like it was a wad of 50 dollar bills ! lol

nice going on the blog, easy to followinstructions, and great pics….

-- Mark, Hancock Maine, [email protected]

scott , thanks for the comment , i think when you use these as a wall shelf the 30 deg. return makes a much smoother transition from the wall . you dont have that sharp corner sticking out . they are fun to make and try out different styles

http://lumberjocks.com/projects/4703

thank you cabinet maker , i had fun doing it as well

I think that was a dandy blog. Good instruction. I think I’ll build one just for practice.

-- Thos. Angle, Jordan Valley, Oregon

Nice looking shelf Tim and a very informative blog. I can see some of these on the wall in my livingroom already.

-- Grant...."GO BUCKEYES"

I am glad to see that you are using automotive finishes. I was wondering about adhesion and compatibility on the wood.

I imagine that durability would not be a problem. If the finish will protect an automobile it should hold up in the house.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://americancraftsmanworkshop.com

Thanks for posting this very informative blog.

thanks for the comments everyone . todd yes these finish is superb and you can use home depot type primer under it i use zinnzzer because i like the way it sands better than kilz thos. someone once told me practice makes perfect ! well it hasnt been quite that kind to me but it has made me better !