How to Make Wooden L-Shaped Brackets

"L" brackets come in all shapes and sizes, but even with the highly varied styles available, they might still leave you wanting something different. Making your own "L" bracket from wood gives you control over the shape and style. You can tailor it to your project, making it seem like a natural part of the project instead of some extra hardware you just slapped onto the piece. Examine your project beforehand to determine how large you should make your "L" bracket.

Things You'll Need

• Lumber
• Compass
• Scroll saw
• Sandpaper
• Drill

Instructions

1. Cut a 6-inch square piece of wood. Use a plank of wood that is 1-inch thick. Lay the piece of wood on a flat surface.

2. Place a compass on the center of the block of wood. Position the compass pencil on the compass against the left edge of the wood, 1/2 an inch below to top left corner.

3. Pull the compass pencil down to the bottom right corner of the square. The line should end 1/2 an inch away from the bottom right edge of the wood square, creating a gentle slope.

4. Put on a pair of gloves and goggles to protect your skin. Pull your hair back into a ponytail if it hangs lower than your shoulders.

5. Place your block of wood on a scroll saw table. Turn on the saw and let the blade get to its full speed. Feed the square of wood into the saw blade. Move the wood so the blade runs along the pencil line.

6. Pull the wood away from the saw blade. Power off the saw and set the wood on a flat surface. The side with the inward-facing slope is the one you want for your "L" bracket.

7. Lay the "L" bracket on its side so it takes on the "L" shape. Drill a hole through the wood 1-inch away from each corner of the "L." Make the hole 1/4 of an inch to fit in a screw when you use the bracket.

8. Sand the bracket with 60-grit sandpaper to remove the splinters and scorch marks. Seal the wood with clear coat sealer by spraying it on. This helps the bracket last much longer than it would untreated.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a decorative shape to the inside of your "L" bracket if you desire. Instead of drawing a simple slope, add bubbly designs to the center of the "L" bracket.