'My plans' for the 9' shelf/bench

Submitted by mamma_joy on Tue, 09/14/2010 - 21:20

I was asked by a fellow KOWer to share plans for the modified shelf/bench I built based off of the Entryway Bench plans.  I wrote up a description as detailed as I could put together from my notes (let's just say Ana makes it look easy but it's NOT!) with a shopping list and cut list, but I don't have drawings to explain the instructions.  I think that I've added all the changes that I made as I went but feel free to ask questions if you have any.  I just wish I would have had the Kreg Jig for this project b/c it would have saved a lot of work.

(I didn't have one so used metal brackets to hold the boards together but a Kreg Jig would have worked better.)

Here's my Shopping List for wood:
2–panels of beadboard (2 1/2'x4')
10–1x8x10'
1–1x4x10'
1–1x4x6'
3–1x2x10'
2–1x2x6'? (may have used a little more since I added trim to the sides, too. Not necessary but I think it finished nicely.)
2 chunks of 3/4" plywood 14.5x18.75 (I already had on hand)

Cut List:
2–1x8 @ 105" (middle)
8–1x8 @ 106.5" (top two & bottom)
2–18.75"x14.5 out of 3/4" plywood (sides)
1–1x4 @ 108" (top back trim)
2–1x4 @ 14.5" with an angled cut out (top side trim)
2–1x2 @ 108" (front trim for top and bottom–bottom mitered but then I covered the miter joint with the vertical piece of trim so you could just leave it longer in the front and have the side piece meet it and save yourself some work)
1--1x2 @ 105" (middle trim meets the vertical corner trim so is shorter than the top and bottom)

2–1x2 @ ~15.5" (bottom trim mitered or shorter to meet the front piece, whatever you decide so measure to make sure before cutting)
4–1x2 @ 18.75" (vertical trim for front corner and back corner)
2–1x2 @ ~13" (horizontal trim at the same level as the middle shelf and fit in between the two vertical pieces on each end)
16–1x8 @ 9" (dividers for the shelf also giving support to be used as a bench)

Looking back I think it might save some time to use 2x8's for the top and bottom of the shelf if you are using the Kreg Jig to join them. I was using the plates so having the two layers helped to hide my hardware but it is more wood to cut that way. You could also use plywood but I didn't want to have a big break in the bench part (since plywood only comes in 8 feet and the shelf is 9').

The dividers I ended up spacing to leave a smaller set of cubbies in the middle and two sets of wider ones on each side. The outside ones are 23 1/4" between each divider and the small cubby space is 9" wide. I was worried about spacing them out more and not having enough support. It turned out to work very well with the beadboard since the width of the sheet was perfect for covering each side and then I cut out two square panels from the extra height to use to back the middle cubbies–making sure the beadboard was matched so it looks like one piece up and down (took me two tries!). The beadboard I attached with glue and small finishing nails. I was told that it can help to paint it first before attaching (at that point I was still planning on staining it so I'm glad I didn't!).

We are using the Steralite containers from Walmart but they were a little cheaper to buy from Walmart online (had a price for 6 cheaper than in the store). They fit perfectly and allow the girls to see their work (modified workbox system).

I joined the two 1x8 boards for each layer and built the box of the bottom half with the sides and dividers set in place. (Takes longer than that sentence makes it sound). Then attached the dividers to the bottom layer of the top (or to the whole top if you use 2x8) and set it on the bottom section and secured it together (sides screwed into the ends of the horizontal piece, dividers secured to the middle shelf (I used metal brackets here, too, but again easier with the Kreg). Then to put the top and bottom pieces on and screw them together (I did the top with a 3/8" bit and then drilled for the screw and used wooden plugs to cover but this was aggravating as the plugs seemed to be too tall so I had a lot of sanding to do–could just fill holes with wood putty if you don't want the pegs showing for looks).

The 1x4 top back trim and side trim are very much like the entry way bench plan and sit down even with the bottom of the two stacked-boards-making-the-top so as to cover the ends. The side trim was a little tricky because I wanted the front to look more finished so I angled the cut so that the front trim covers the edge and it rises from that point (you can see in some of the posted pictures where people left the side trim square, too). The back trim extends the whole distance with an overhang on each end and the side trim meets it perpendicularly in the back.

Then the trim pieces:
I attached with glue and nails the 3 1x2 trim pieces on the top middle and bottom making it flush with each on the top sides (you could use a 1x3 and create a lip to hold things in). Then the bottom side trim pieces Then the vertical trim pieces for the corners and back side and then the middle horizontal trim pieces (covered my screws holding the middle shelf to the plywood). Then the sanding, painting and painting some more.

Clear as mud???

 

(Edited to cut the middle 1x2 trim three inches shorter as it meets the vertical trim)

 

anawhite (not verified)

Tue, 09/21/2010 - 17:20

You are awesome! Thanks for posting all this information, I know how long it takes! Bless you.