DIY Projects

Functional DIY Projects

What you will need:

  • 1 solid pine door – 32mm thick
  • 2 pine trestles – 800mm wide
  • 4 pine planks 20 x 69mm, 2400mm length
  • 40 wood screws 5 x 30mm
  • Wood stain (of your choice)
  • Wood filler (match colour of stain)
  • Clear varnish
  • Wood saw
  • Drill
  • Countersink bit
  • 2, 4 and 6mm drill bits
  • 120- and 240-grit sandpaper
  • Tape measure and pencil
  • Paintbrush

Method:

  1. Start by making the shelves. You need to measure, mark and cut 2 pine planks into six equal pieces 400mm in length. Measure and cut another pine plank into 2 pieces 400mm long and 2 pieces 800mm long. Sand corners and edges to ensure they are smooth.
  2. Stain the planks individually by following packaging instructions.
  3. Construct the shelves by placing 7 planks on a flat working surface with 50mm gaps. The total length of the planks should be 800mm. Place the 800mm plank on top, centred across the rest and mark its position on the planks underneath. Using a 2mm bit, drill 2 holes 30mm deep at the location of each bottom plank position.
  4. Remove the 800mm plank. Using the 4mm wood bit, make all 2mm holes bigger and place the plank back into its original position using marks to guide you. Screw the top plank to the planks underneath. Turn it over and your shelf is done! Just repeat the above steps to make another shelf.
  5. Stain the trestle legs and leave to dry. Adjust the rope on the trestle so that the 400mm-wide shelf is well-supported.
  6. To construct the desktop apron, mark and cut the remaining plank to the length of the door. Sand the edges again until smooth.
  7. Measure mark and drill, using a 4mm bit, 5 equally spaced holes 20mm down from the top edge of the apron plank. Position the apron on the front edge of door and, use a 2mm bit to drill holes through the already made holes – make sure the top of the apron is flush with the desk top. Once you are certain of this screw the planks and apron together. Fill in leftover holes with filler and sand smooth.
  8. Now your desk should be in obvious pieces. Add finishing touches by sanding and staining it and leaving to dry.
  9. Once dry varnish all parts of the desk and leave to dry.
  10. Assemble the desk, place it somewhere useful and behold your amazing job!