How to Build a Newspaper Rack

If you want a project for that lazy Saturday afternoon, a newspaper rack could be perfect. A home built, sturdy wooden newspaper rack would not only give a great project, but can also enhance your living area. Get your power tools out and prepare to make a great addition to your home.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1/2 inch #3 roundhead screws
• Screwdriver
• Acrylic glue (optional)
• Wood stain or varnish (optional)

Preparing Materials

1. Purchase enough 1 by 3 inch wood to cut to end pieces that are 13 7/8 inches long.

2. Section off four 1 inch hardwood dowels to the length of 21 inches. Sand the ends smooth.

3. Cut 2 sheets of 3/16 inch acrylic. The acrylic sheet should be 8 inches tall and 13 7/8 inches wide. If you are cutting the acrylic sheets to fit at home, equip your saw with a fine plywood blade. Do not remove the protective paper from the acrylic sheet. Cut another piece of acrylic that is 19 by 8 inches. Sand all the edges smooth with a 400 grit wet and dry sandpaper.

4. Clamp the two 14-inch boards and two 14-inch acrylic sheets together with a piece of scrap wood on the bottom. Mark off the spots to drill. Mark the center of the end spot 3/4 inch up and 1 1/2 inch from the end. Measure over 3 5/8 inches and 3/4 inch up and mark a second spot. Measure over in the same direction another 3 5/8 inch and 3/4 inch up and mark a third spot. Do the same for the fourth. The fourth spot should be 1 1/2 inches from the end.

5. Drill a 1-inch hole with a multispur bit or a Forstner bit on your power drill, so that the center of the hole is on the mark. Drilling the holes is critical. The holes must line up so that the dowel smoothly slides in.

6. Separate the wood and acrylic into two piles, each containing one piece of wood and one piece of acrylic. Line the holes up and clamp. Drill 1/16 inch through the acrylic and into the wood 3/8 deep. Remove the clamp and drill the 1/16 inch holes in the acrylic with a 7/16 inch bit. Sand smooth the edges of the acrylic using 400 grit wet and dry sandpaper.

7. Predrill 2 holes in the 19 by 8 inch acrylic. Mark the first 1 inch from the bottom and 1/2 inch from the edge. Carefully use a 1/16 inch drill bit and expand it with a 7/64 inch bit. Make the other hole one inch above the first. Mark the same dimension on the 1 by 3 inch end on each piece of wood and predrill with a 1/16 inch bit, going 3/8 inch deep.

Assembling the Parts

8. Sand the inside of all the 1 inch holes cut for the dowels. Sand the dowels also.

9. Screw the acrylic sheets to the side of the wood using 1/2 inch #3 roundhead screws. Brass is excellent for appearance.

10. Turn the wood so that the acrylic sheets are facing each other and insert the dowels. Leave 1 inch on the outside of the wood on each side.

11. Attach the acrylic sheet to the back by lining the holes up and inserting 1/2 inch #3 screws.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use acrylic glue to add extra strength. Make a thin line of glue along the edge of the 1 by 3 inch wood and the acrylic attached to it before adding the acrylic back sheet.
• If you want to stain or add a finish to the wood, do it before assembling the rack.
• Always wear protective glasses when cutting or drilling.