Shelves Part III - Aw Crud

Time to install.

I emptied the pantry and started removing shelves.

The contents are scattered about the kitchen.

So I started the installation process.

I ran into a small problem. It won't fit in the door.

Initially, I planned to install the backboards, then the shelves.

Installation would have been easy as pie.

But somewhere along the line, I changed my mind, and assembled it first.

Oops. I can't get it inside the closet. No matter how much twisting, shaking, lifting, grunting I do, one corner sticks out. Oh Crud.

I have a plan to fix it. I can install supports under the shelves. Wish me luck.

Shelves Part II - Stained

I hesitated about staining the shelves. Somebody pointed out, "it's in a closet, go for it".

I chose a dark red (Minwax Red Oak 215).

I worried about the stain on the edges of the plywood.

There were a few spots where the dado cuts chipped the plywood, so I looked into wood filler.

I tried the Minwax Stainable Wood Filler. It looks/feels like beach sand. Odd.

Seemed to blend okay.

Test everything on scrap first!

The stain was much darker than I expected (brown, not red)

It did not look good on the edges of the plywood.

But it looked worse on the edges with the wood filler. (I think)

Well, I used the wood filler on the deep gouges, but not on the edges.

I sanded everything with 220 grit sandpaper and an orbital sander. Fairly quick job.

I applied 2 coats of 215 (2x 8oz cans, no left overs). 6 hours after each coat.

FYI the stainable wood filler doesn't stain. (the yellow stripe just above the shelves)

Applied a coat of Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane (32 oz can, used less than a 1/4) to all of the stained surfaces.

After 6 hours, I felt the surface. Very rough.

So I lightly sanded (220 grit) the top of the shelves.

Applied another coat (again just to the top of the shelves)

24 hour cure. Very nice!

Most important thing I learned: I need more light.

I found a few spots where I missed stain or clear coat.

Next I need to figure out how to mount it.

One last thing. Remember to clean the stickers off with rubbing alcohol first.

Woodworking Project

I took a woodworking class at the community college. But what to do for a project?

Someone pointed out the hell that is the pantry.

I have a project now.

The pantry is in a tight corner. The current shelving is 8"x2' wire mesh. It uses less than 1/3 of the space in the pantry.

My proposed shelves are basically 2'x2' triangles (with additional 4" of overhang). This should provide a lot more space.

I should have documented the individual pieces before assembling them. Oops.

Stats:

• 3/4" plywood backing (1/4" deep dado cuts for the shelves)
• four 1/2" plywood shelves
• two 3/4" plywood shelves ( from the leftover from the backing)
• 11.5" between the shelves
• top shelf is cut much deeper (not triangular) so I can reach stuff on the top.

After assembling the shelves, I decided to round the edges (better late than never) .

I bought a router and bits (cool toy!).

I used a 3/8" round-over. The bit is recessed to 1/8" cutting surface.

I like the final look.

The next step is stain and protect.