Wall Shelf Unit for paint pots

[brianhabby]

Hi there,

My son (who is a keen model maker) has asked me to make a shelf for all his little paint pots that he has accumulated. It doesn't need to be deep because the paint pots are quite small so I came up with this idea:

I've planed a load of wood today and will start to put it together over the next few days and maybe weeks. I've planed most of the wood down to 10mm thickness.

Any ideas for this project would be welcome before I get to far into it.

regards

Brian

 

[bobscarle]

Looks a good design, Brian. How are you going to put it together?

 

[brianhabby]

Looks a good design, Brian. How are you going to put it together?

Well, if my past projects are anything to go by, I'll work it out as I go along, and maybe change my mind more than once before I've finished.

Some Ideas I've had for the main carcass: The corners could be mitred or they could be dovetailed. With wanting to use very thin stock (10mm) I think dovetails would be a better choice. I'm not really confident with dovetails so maybe that would be a reason to have a go. The shelves will fit in the sides in housings.

Any and all ideas welcome

regards

Brian

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Brian

Your design looks the part I must say. But before you get to carried away have you considered designing it like an old fashioned carpenters tool box / chest you know the type the ones shaped like a suitcase they had a hinged or removable front. Inside you had a tray in the bottom and a set of drawer in the top section. The reason for asking is that painters, french polishers and sign writers of the old school used a similar thing but a smaller version. The hinge down front was used for mixing different paint colours etc. And normally paint black as I say just a thought.

Regarding the joints do what you feel comfortable in doing, you may want to consider a “barefaced housing joint” for the corners a simple but some what strong joint. If you can do housings then you can do this type of joint.

 

[brianhabby]

Hi Alan,

Interesting comments about the carpenters tool box. I think I know the type you mean, although a drop down front wouldn't work in this case because the unit is to go on a wall at the back of his workbench and a drop down front would be in the way of his working, and I don't think he wants his paints covered up, he want them readily accessible.

I did have a thought about a kind of double shelf unit which I quite like. I don't think I could draw what I have in mind but basically a smaller shelf unit right in front of the main shelf unit that is about half the width and slides left to right, revealing the main shelves one half at a time - if that makes sense.

As for the joints, I still quite like the idea of doing dovetails on the corners of the main carcass. If I get them right it will look quite good. If I get them wrong they might look like this:

I guess I need a bit more practice

I think I didn't cut then quite deep enough. I set the marking gauge to match the timber thickness but I need to add a little bit I think. I'll keep trying,

Regards

Brian

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Brian

The dove tail is one of the hardest joints to produce even with a Leigh dovetail jig. I remember when I first started to cut them by hand I could use half a tin of timber stopper. I have been using a Leigh dovetail jig for years and I would after put my thinking cap on if hand to do them by hand, so for that reason I am the wrong person to ask about dove tails. By what I can see from the photo you are doing very well and at the same time you know what you are doing wrong and believe me if you that’s 2/3rds of the battle. Please don’t get down hearted and keep right on going and I raise my hat to you for giving it a go. I am looking forward to seeing more photos as your project progress.

Alan

PS

Some carpenters tool boxes / chest the front lifted off the one had did because the lid just got in the way but it held your tenon and panel saw. So I understand what you are saying.