This was the first item I made that is not because I needed it. Like I said in the video, YouTube suggested me to make one so I didn’t have any preference how I wanted it but I just tried to make a very simple one that I generally go with.
Project Summary
I wanted to make a simple wall shelf that my fellow beginners can make so I tried to think what I want to let myself a year ago to make to improve my skill and give myself a good satisfaction of making it. Therefore, it’s not just super simple and easy but includes some basic techniques that’s achievable.
On this page, I will share the tips I found during the project. For the steps of how I made it, please watch the video.
My Findings
Materials
Birch is Easy to Handle
I chose birch just because I found an interesting grain birch at my local HomeDepot. It wasn’t my first time handling birch but I think it’s relatively easy to work with for beginners. It’s hard enough to keep a cutting edge sharp but soft enough to use chisels easily.
The one I used for this project was kind of figured but if you choose a lift sawn one or quoter sawn one (you can find ones at HomeDepot once in a while), it’s much easier as well.
Fabrication
Half Lap Joint
Half lap joint is considered as a beginner friendly joint and it’s easy to fabricate. Please be sure, the saw work is more important than the chisel work for this joint. If you pre-cut the joint by a saw well and make a good amount of relief cuts, the chisel work will be so easy and you can make a clean joint.
Mortise
I made a mortise around a half lap joint. This is only 1/16″ of the cut from both the top/bottom but it not only improves the look but also the stability. For this type of a shallow mortise, it’s easier if you clean the small area inside the marking lines until you hit the depth needed and then extend the area to the marking lines.
Wall Shelf Thing
Screw Span
If you live in the U.S. please note it’s good to set screw intervals as 16”. The studs behind a wall is always like the picture. My shelf is only 14” wide so I anyway have to use drywall anchor screws for this one.
Keyhole
The keyhole bracket was so convenient when you make something to hang on the wall! Like I mentioned in the video, I didn’t even know the existence of this thing!
Finish
Wax Finish
I used beeswax and carnauba wax to finish after walnut oil. When you want to have high polish finish on oil finished wood, I recommend you use 3M synthetic steel wool instead of a real steel wool. The real steel wool leaves black residue and it gets stuck in the wood pores that make the finish look dirty depending on the wood species.
You don’t have to worry about it when using the synthetic steel wool.
Just Try!
It wasn’t a difficult project but certainly there were things to learn. If you are careful enough, even a beginner like me can complete one project without a mistake so hopefully, you try it and get confidence for the next higher level project!