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Country shelf
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Learn how to cut some curves
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By Gary Walchuk, photo by Simon Cheung, illustration by Len Churchill
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Besides being a great addition to your kitchen or bathroom, this country shelf is a good exercise in cutting curves and sanding edges. A bandsaw or jigsaw makes quick work of the cutting part, and a drum sander is ideal for finishing the cuts to perfection. You can also use a scrollsaw followed by some hand-sanding.
Begin by making tracing templates for the shelf sides, back top and back bottom. For the back parts you can get away with a half-pattern template, flipping it over on the centre line of your stock to mark the opposite side.
Sand all of the wood flat and smooth before you do anything else. Trace, then cut two sides and one of each of a back top and bottom. Cut the two rectangular back boards to size, while you're at it. Sand away all sharp edges except the straight back edges of the side members.
Both shelves have a curved front edge, which can be drawn directly onto the wood with a large compass. If you don't have one, just tape a pencil to a stick with a nail at the other end to serve as a pivot point. The top shelf has a 16"-radius curve and measures 6 1/4" at its widest point. The bottom shelf has a 14" radius and measures 4 1/4" wide overall. Mark and cut both shelves to shape, then sand the front edges smooth.
Assembly is easy. Join all of the back parts to the back edges of the sides, spaced 1/2" apart and secured with two 1 1/2" screws per joint, leaving a 1/2" overhang at the sides. Make sure the sides are 12" apart, which allows you to slip in the top shelf to cover the gap between the middle two back parts. Secure the sides to the shelf edges with countersunk screws, then plug the holes. The bottom shelf is located 3/4" down from the top edge of the back bottom and secured with screws from the back face.
To complete this project, decide on a clear or painted finish. Once the piece is dry, all you have to do is mount it on the wall. Be sure to use drywall anchors to give your shelf solid support.
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