Quick and easy box shelf

These box shelves are amazingly sturdy, thanks to the two-layer, 12mm supawood design. The thickness and the overlapping joints make them strong enough to display or store anything.

DIFFICULTY: Easy
ESTIMATED TIME: A Weekend

MATERIALS:

• 12mm MDF cut to sizeWood glue
• Contact adhesive
• 20mm Panel pins
• Edging strip – to match colour or finish
• Sheen – in your choice of colour
• Foam paint roller and tray
• Small paintbrush
• Bosch MultiSander and 240-grit sandpaper
• Corner clamp, bar or strap clamp

After deciding on the size of your box, you’ll need four inner panels 12mm narrower than the final box depths. The four outer panels will match the final depth. Measure the inner box after assembly to get the dimensions for the back panel.Glue and nail the inner box together. Let the glue dry before applying the outer box.To make the outer box, apply a bead of glue about 10mm in from the edges and a second bead in a zigzag pattern in the middle. Align the panels flush with the front. Nail the parts together with 20mm panel pins. Be careful. It’s tough to fix the damage from nails that miss the mark. If you have corner clamps or bar clamps, use them to squeeze closed any gaps. A tight joint will reduce the amount of sanding and filling you have to do later. Let the glue dry overnight.

Sand the edges with 240-grit sandpaper until they’re smooth and wipe clean.

Use a foam roller to apply Prominent Paints Sheen to the inside and outside of the box. You will need a small paintbrush to get into the corners. Apply two coats, letting the first coat dry completely before applying the second coat.If you have a Bosch PFS spray, painting is oh so easy. Do make sure to protect surfaces from over-spray.

Apply contact adhesive to the front edges of the box and the edging strip and let stand for 10 minutes. Carefully place the edging strip over the edge and press down firmly. Use a sharp craft knife to cut away any excess.

DIY Tip: You can also purchase iron-on edging strip. Don’t have the iron too hot and ensure that the strip adheres properly.

You can make your box shelves to any size. This project shows you how to make a shelf with a fairly thick surround for a sturdy shelf. If you are unable to find edging strip to match your choice of colour, use wood filler to fill in the gaps on the front edges and sand smooth before painting.