How to Make a Metal Cookbook Rack

Racks protect your cookbooks and keep them out of your way.

A well-made cookbook rack provides eye-level, hands-free access to your favorite recipes. Use clips to allow them to swing out of the way when not in use, hidden under a cabinet above your prep counter. A clear glass or plastic cover keeps spills and stains off precious heirloom recipe cards and out-of-print cookbooks. According to William Lidwell, Kritina Holden and Jill Butler, authors of "Universal Principles of Design, "Aesthetic designs look easier to use and have a higher probability of being used."

Things You'll Need

• 2 square tube steel picture frames with plastic inserts, 16 inch by 24 inch by 1.5 inch
• Long piano hinge, 24 inch
• Power drill with titanium-coated bit set
• Swivel-type cabin hook latch
• 2 pipe straps, 3.5-inch square, with screws
• Metal track light mounting clip, 1.5 inch wide, 2 inches long
• Silvertone or copper wire fruit or vegetable shapes
• Soldering iron with lead-free silver solder

Instructions

1. Lay one picture frame on your worktable so that the 16-inch sides are to your right and left and one 24-inch side is closest to you. Place the other picture frame on top of it, with all edges flush.

2. Slide the 24-inch long piano hinge between the two frames along the 24-inch side closest to you, with the ends flush on the right and left and the spine exposed. Remove the top frame without moving the hinge.

3. Use white typewriter correction fluid to highlight the positions of the screw holes. Replace the top frame. Turn the frames over so that the top frame is now on the bottom. Remove the second frame and mark the screw hole positions as before.

4. Use a titanium-coated bit matched to the diameter of the manufacturer-supplied screws to drill all needed holes. Attach the piano hinge to the first frame using half of the screws.

5. Place the second frame with the drilled side against the side of the first frame that already has the hinge attached. Open the hinge and match the holes to the second frame. Secure the hinge to the second frame using the remaining screws.

6. Find the midpoint along the unhinged 24-inch side of the connected picture frames. Drill a hole in each frame at that point and secure the swivel-type cabin hook latch. This will enable the cookbook frame to stay closed when snapped into the under-cabinet position.

7. Remove the plastic inserts from the picture frames. Position the frame beneath the cabinet so that it will swing down and back far enough to be out of your way. Install the two square clamps and practice pulling the frame down into place. You may need to crimp the clamps with a pair of pliers to make it easier for the frame to move as it folds.

8. Position the metal track light mounting clip where it will latch onto the metal cookbook rack once it has been folded under the cabinet. Secure it with at least two screws.

9. Fold the cookbook rack down and pull the frames apart so that you can lay your open cookbook between them. Lay a plastic insert from one of the frames over the cookbook to protect the pages. You can fold the rack out of the way with the cookbook still inside, if desired.

10. Embellish the front of the cookbook frame by soldering silvertone or copper wire outline shapes of fruits and vegetables or cooking utensils in place where desired.

References

• Universal Principles of Design; William Lidwell, Kritina Holden and Jill Butler; 2003

Resources

• Just Kids Furniture: Piano Hinge Installation