DIY Paper Rack

The construction of a paper rack is like a bookcase.

A paper rack is a boon for scrapbookers, giving them somewhere to sort and store all the different types and colors of paper they use, while keeping it very at hand. The paper rack resembles a bookcase, with shelves for all the different types of paper. It can be low, no more than waist high, or as tall as the ceiling; the basic design remains the same no matter the height.

Things You'll Need

• 1-inch-by-12-inch lumber
• 1-inch-by-3-inch lumber
• Tape measure
• Saw
• Sandpaper
• Carpenter square
• C clamps
• Router
• Glue
• Drill
• Screws
• One-fourth-inch plywood
• Nails
• Hammer
• Paint

Instructions

Preparing The Wood

1. Measure and cut two 36-inch lengths of 1-inch-by-12-inch lumber. Sand it smooth, paying special attention to the cut ends; these will be the sides of the paper rack.

2. Measure, cut and sand one 11 1/2-inch length of the lumber to make the top of the rack.

3. Measure, cut and sand an 11 1/2-inch length of the 1-inch-by-3-inch lumber, to make the kick plate for the bottom of the paper rack.

Preparing The Shelves

1. Measure the thickness of the 1-inch-by-12-inch lumber; it will invariably be less than 1 inch. Lay one of the side pieces for the rack on your workbench and measure up 3 inches on each side from one end, drawing a line to join the marks, using a carpenter square.

2. Measure up the thickness of the lumber and draw another line, then measure up 2 /12 inches and draw another line. Measure up the thickness of the lumber again and draw another line, and repeat, alternating measurements of 2 1/2 inches and the thickness of the lumber to mark out the shelves of the paper rack; near the top you might need to leave a larger gap to allow for the top of the paper rack.

3. Repeat on the other side piece.

4. Secure the side piece of the rack in place with C clamps. Set the bit on the router to a depth of one-fourth inch and rout out the areas showing the thickness of the lumber, which is where the shelves for the paper will be. Repeat on the other side piece, then sand the routed areas so the shelves will fit smoothly.

Assembling the Frame

1. Cut 12-inch lengths of 1-inch-by-12-inch lumber to make the shelves, then sand smooth.

2. Apply wood glue to the routed areas that will hold the bottom shelf–above the kickplate–and the middle shelf. Stand the side pieces on their edges, slide the shelves into place, aligning them carefully, them clamp the two sides together. Leave them to dry.

3. Fit the kickplate in place under the bottom shelf at the front of the paper rack. Drill two one-fourth-inch holes through the side piece into one edge of the kickplate, then screw in two 1 1/2-inch screws. Repeat on the other side.

4. Fit the top of the rack in place, then secure with three screws on each side, drilling holes for the screws first.

5. Drill three holes through the side piece into the edge of the middle shelf, then screw in three 1 1/2-inch screws. Repeat on the other side and then on the bottom shelf; this will give more stability to the rack.

Finishing The Rack

1. Paint the rack and the shelves you’ve cut, using two or three coats of acrylic paint, and let the wood dry between coats.

2. Apply glue to the ends of each shelf and fit in place, wiping off excess glue.

3. Measure the outside dimensions of the paper rack and cut one-fourth-inch plywood to size. Paint the plywood and once dry, secure it to the back of the paper rack with screws.

References

• This Old House: How To Build A Bookcase, by Alexandra Bandon
• Popular Mechanics: How To Build A Bookcase