First project on my own

[pithed2]

I asked a couple questions while working on this regarding T-shelves and you guys were a great help. I don't have any in depth pictures, but this works for the wife to start organizing the WAY too many toys we have for the kids.

Originally I was going to create this as 1 piece, but the sheer size and lack of clamps to make a face frame that large forced me into making 2 shelves. You can easily see some of my rookie mistakes and improv's. I guess that's part of the beauty of them. I would have finished them, but the wife wanted them in place immediately.

[SARGE..g-47]

Very nice job, Andy. It looks fine to me. She may have wanted to use it immediately.. but just wait till the "kids" get finger-prints.. stains.. etc. all over the place. You will immediatley remove the toys and finish it at that point. Been there... done that.

Again.. nice job.. looks really good and it is very functional as I see it.

[billwmeyer]

Great first project. Have you got your second project planned yet?
Bill

[Uncle Cracker]

Smart to make the first few projects for the wife... Helps with the tool budget...

[poolhound]

Great job. totally functional, meets the specifications laid down by the boss. And you met her timeline.

I agree with Uncle C, this is the time to shoot for more tools

[ragswl4]

Nice Job! Great looking (appears to be nice and square).

[Pappy]

Make sure she knows it would have turned out even better than it did had you had enough clamps. Then watch for a sale at HF!

[atgcpaul]

Nice work. Did you end going with dados or biscuits for the dividers?

[cgallery]

That looks fantastic! I don't think the snapshot picture does it justice!

[pithed2]

Nice work. Did you end going with dados or biscuits for the dividers?

I ended up using biscuits for the vertical dividers and then pocket holes to join the horizontal shelf to the sides. It's probably not the best but it worked for the project.

Had I done it over, I would have probably created the face frame last and then cover the 2 inside sides with a single stile in the center. It would have covered up the slight warp in the box on the left. I probably would have used the 1x4 for both rails also.

I did learn quite a bit about glue ups and clamping. I have lots of 24" clamps, so I should have matched my boxes to my equipment. Instead I have 2 25 1/2" boxes. It's the little things!

I'll probably still finish this up. It's just a matter of time.

Thanks everyone!

[crokett]

Originally I was going to create this as 1 piece, but the sheer size and lack of clamps to make a face frame that large forced me into making 2 shelves.

No No No! You don't make 2 smaller units cause you don't have clamps large enough, you go get bigger clamps! That's ok, you are a rookie, we'll learn ya. Just remember, every project is an excuse for a new tool.


Great work for a first project. My first project was a plant bench - a whole lot simpler than that.

[pithed2]

No No No! You don't make 2 smaller units cause you don't have clamps large enough, you go get bigger clamps! That's ok, you are a rookie, we'll learn ya. Just remember, every project is an excuse for a new tool.


Great work for a first project. My first project was a plant bench - a whole lot simpler than that.

So I should have made it to the original specs? 79" x 54"? The other issue I had was a work bench large enough to handle that.

[John Hunter]

Very nice.

[mschrank]

She may have wanted to use it immediately.. but just wait till the "kids" get finger-prints.. stains.. etc. all over the place. You will immediatley remove the toys and finish it at that point. Been there... done that.

Yup...in about a year it'll be all grungy and scuffed. THEN she'll want you to put the finish on. I've got projects all over the house that are 80-95% complete because as soon as the LOML sees it take finished form, in it goes.

Drives me nuts.

[Greg.B]

How are the 2 bodies connected ? I would have glued them and clamped them (then you would only need like 3" clamps if you just clamp that middle section.) Great job, I could use a few of these, they would even do great like in a closet.