Loft-style shelf made of water pipes and natural wood
This material will show in detail, and most importantly teach how to do it yourself make an original shelf using the simplest tools at hand and natural wood materials with an attractive brushing effect. Homemade is multifunctional, firstly, it is made in the currently fashionable Loft style and will serve as an excellent interior decoration, and secondly, it copes with its main task, withstanding enough heavy objects.
List of materials and tools
Required materials:
– Wooden board or shield (Depends on the desired size. In this case, a cut from the shield 240×700 mm is used);
– Flanges-holders of water pipes 1/2 ”- 4 pieces;
– Steel angle (90 degrees) for a water pipe 1/2 “;
– Steel nipple 1/2″ – 2 pieces;
– Steel nipple 1/2 “(extended) – 2 pieces;
– Dowel-nails;
– Self-tapping screws with a flat head;
– Spray paint;
– Aerosol varnish (protective coating); < br> – Sandpaper (grit 220);
– Acetone or degrease.
Required tools:
– Building level;
– Roulette;
– Gas burner;
– Gloves;
– Screwdriver;
– Pencil;
– Gas wrench;
– Rags ;
– Detector of hidden wiring;
– Hacksaw for wood or circular saw;
– Hand brush with metal bristles.
Step 1. Determine the size of the shelf
In this case, a board made of glued wood, bought in a building supermarket, is used. The easiest way is to use the service of sawing wooden products in the same store and get an almost finished shelf of the required dimensions. However, this can also be done in home conditions, carefully sawing the shield with a hacksaw on wood, or even better with a circular saw.
Step 2. Establish the mounting location
Based on the long shelf, determine the attachment points for the future brackets to the wall. Pre-scan the walls with a hidden wiring detector so that you do not accidentally get into a live wire while drilling holes.
Mark points with a pencil on the wall using a building level so that the future shelf hangs perfectly straight.
Step 3. Assembling the bracket-holder
Take the holder-flange for steel water pipes and screw the extended steel nipple into it, as shown in the picture.
On the other end of the nipple screw a corner, and into it a smaller nipple.
Finish the assembly of the structure by placing the bracket flange on the remaining threaded connection.
All elements must be securely twisted, but also remain in the same plane. You should end up with the following:
Step 4. Prepare for painting
Degrease the resulting brackets before painting. You can use acetone for work, but remember, its vapors are very dangerous, work must be done outdoors and with gloves.
It is better to use a classic degreaser. Thoroughly wipe all surfaces and let the workpiece dry.
Step 5. Add color
If you plan to paint indoors, take care of ventilation. To prevent the possibility of paint spraying on surrounding objects, carry out this work by placing the parts in a cardboard box as shown in the figure below.
Apply a primer coat and let the paint dry. Then cover the surface with several more coats until the desired result is achieved. Wait until it is completely dry and proceed to the next step.
Step 6. Mounting brackets
Attach the resulting shelf elements to the previously marked points on the wall, aligning one of the holes in the holding flange with a point. Mark with a pencil the position of the remaining flange holes on the wall.
The layout is ready. Using a hammer drill, drill holes for the dowels.
If your wall is made of plasterboard, you should use special dowels for plasterboard and drill holes with a simple drill. Lean the brackets against the holes, insert the plastic dowel and secure the nail securely.
Place the building level on the tops of the brackets and make sure the plane is horizontal.
Step 7. Brushing the shelf
Brushing is a special technology for artificial aging of wood. Due to the burning of wood and its subsequent processing, a relief dark surface is created, on which the structure of the wood and annual rings are clearly visible.
If this is your first time brushing, practice on an unnecessary board before working on the future shelf. Light the gas burner and smoothly walk over the entire surface. Adjust the flow of the flame from the burner nozzle and experiment with the speed of your movements, the final result depends on it – darker or lighter.
After the wood has cooled, brush the surface with a metal-bristled brush to knock off heavily charred areas and clean the surface. The final stage of processing is a light sanding with sandpaper.
Blow the future shelf with air or wipe with a damp cloth to remove small sawdust.
Step 8. Varnishing the product
Apply a transparent varnish from an aerosol to the board spray can.
This will provide the wood with reliable protection from external influences and an attractive appearance. Anyone who doesn't like a glossy finish can use a matte clear varnish.
Always read the instructions for use on the back of the can before use. Depending on the production technology, the method of applying varnish differs for many companies.
Step 9. Mounting the shelf
Place the finished board on the brackets. Measure the same distance with a tape measure on the left and right, as shown in the picture.
Using a pencil, mark the locations of the future holes on the bottom of the board.
Press the board close to the brackets with one hand in order to exclude the possibility of its displacement during the marking process.
Turn the shelf over and drill out the holes for self-tapping screws with a thin drill.
Install the shelf on place by matching the drilled holes with the holes in the holding flange. Using a screwdriver, slowly screw in the screws.
Step 10. Decorate, arrange
Congratulations, you've made a nice retro shelf with your own hands. It remains to arrange the necessary things and decor items. See how artificial vegetables harmoniously fit into this style. Take note of this idea, good luck!