Not Another Floating Shelf Video

Denika Coakley
by Denika Coakley
3 Materials
$50
1 Day
Medium

YES! But this one is different because I am going to show you a few techniques to make your shelves appear seamless and as if they were one solid piece of wood!


Lets get to it!

DIY VIDEO


So like ANY other floating shelf video, rip your boards to width and cut them to length.


Stand your two top and bottom pieces up, Add glue and attach the front.


This creates the shell of a shelf and NO end cuts are shown (end cuts ALWAYS take the stain darker, and throw off the look of your shelf IF you are trying to make it appear seamless.

End Piece


Now you're probably thinking you can just cap it off, and yes you can totally do that if thats the look you're going for. But the two ways you would do that, *LEFT* you see the end cuts along the side and *RIGHT* if you put a piece in the middle and flush, you see the weird U shape of end cuts. Make sense?

Hidden Piece


So what I do is cut a piece that is as wide as the centre, add glue and put it in, about an inch back. This will hold the structure of the shelf and now the piece you put on (next step) is strictly aesthetic.

End Piece


*Disclaimer* I am a licensed carpenter so a table saw is in my daily routine. If you are not comfortable doing this step, ask for help or have it done at the hardware store.


I then cut a piece a board down to the width of my end pieces, put it up on its side and ripped it down to 1/4 thickness. That way when I attach it, its so thin and sand-able you will NOT see the end cuts.

DETAILS


Then when your shelf is assembled. Sand and sand and sand some more. Start with 80 grit and move up to 300. Wood-fill between each sanding that way you make sure every divet or groove is completely filled. Sanding makes ALL the difference.

Stain


Stain them and enjoy!


Thanks everyone!

Suggested materials:
  • Wood   (Building Supply Store)
  • Wood fill   (Building Supply store / online)
  • Wood Glue   (Building Supply Store / online)
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