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MaryAnnCarter
MaryAnn Carter
MaryAnn Carter
Find several floorboards that are roughly the same size. We use two boards per shelf. Use a table saw to rip the tongue out of one of the boards. This board will be at the front of the shelf. Tear off the groove of the second board. This will be the back of the shelf that goes up against the wall. The remaining tab on the back plate will lock into the slot on the face plate.
MaryAnn Carter
MaryAnn Carter
Cut the boards to the length you want your shelves to be. They can be any size to fit your space. Our three shelves are 5', 4' and 3'. (Again, each shelf is the width of two floorboards.)
MaryAnn Carter
MaryAnn Carter
If you use prefinished floor boards, you can leave them as they are or paint or paint them. (We chose to re-dye). If you keep the existing finish, go to the next step. If you want a custom look, use an orbital sander to remove the finish from all boards. Do this before the boards are glued together, this way you can access the sides and the groove.
MaryAnn Carter
MaryAnn Carter
Glue the same length boards together to make each shelf. Use a strong construction adhesive in the groove to lock the boards together with the tongue and groove. Clamp the boards together as they dry out if needed.
MaryAnn Carter
MaryAnn Carter
MaryAnn Carter
MaryAnn Carter
MaryAnn Carter
After the boards have been adhered together, use a drill with a 1/2” Forstner bit to drill the holes for the strings. The drill bit used should be about the same size as the string used to hang the shelves. Drill two holes at each end of the shelves so they hang level. Start with the 3' shelf and continue to drill the 4' and 5' shelves, orienting them so they line up to hang from the same strings. Drill holes approximately 2" from end of board and centered from front and back.
If you are using the existing finish, skip to the next step. Once the holes have been drilled, stain the boards if necessary. While staining, remember to stain the front/back of the shelves where the boards were ripped, as well as any cut edges and drilled holes. Add polyurethane for a seal and shine..
MaryAnn Carter
MaryAnn Carter
Dowels will insert into the strings to hold the shelves in place. Cut a dowel into 3” pieces; Pending 8-14 rack orientation will be required. Color the taco pieces the same color as the shelves.
MaryAnn Carter
MaryAnn Carter
Use a stud finder to mark the studs on the wall where the shelves will hang. Near the top of the wall, about 8" to 12" from the ceiling, hang the handrail on the studs. If the studs do not line up with the handrail, be sure to use drywall anchors to support the weight of the handrail and shelves with items.
MaryAnnCarter
Cut three lengths of rope to approximately 10'. This might be more than you need for the shelves, but starting with the excess will allow more distance between the shelves and make it easier to tie a knot at the bottom of the lowest shelf. To prevent the rope from fraying, wrap painter's tape around the ends of the rope until the final knot has been tied.
MaryAnn Carter
MaryAnn Carter
Loop the rope up and over the handrail, looping once around the handrail for more stability. The strings should hang at equal lengths.
MaryAnn Carter
MaryAnn Carter
MaryAnn Carter
MaryAnn Carter
Thread the ends of the rope through the holes in the shelves in the desired order from top to bottom. Tie a knot in the rope under the bottom shelf at each place where the rope goes through the holes.
MaryAnn Carter
MaryAnn Carter
MaryAnn Carter
MaryAnn Carter
MaryAnn Carter
Before attaching the top shelves, use the level to make sure the shelves are straight. When the remaining shelves have been spaced to the desired heights, split the rope braid and insert a dowel through the rope for the shelf to sit on. Use a level to make sure the shelves are straight. Repeat for all shelves and move the knot under the bottom to adjust the height of the bottom shelf. Once the bottom shelf is at the desired height, cut off any excess string and lay out your shelves.
MaryAnnCarter
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