How to Build a Blackboard
Originally made from slate, blackboards were at one time directly mounted to a wall surface. Today, modern science has perfected a magnetic, black paint that can be applied to a wooden surface, like plywood, and used as a writing surface for chalk. This paint is commercially available through retail paint outlets. With these developments in mind, why not build a chalkboard with an attractive frame that can be hung on the wall? Such a blackboard can also be moved from time to time, if the need should arise.
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Things You'll Need
- Saw horses
- Plywood 5/8 with one side sanded
- Chalk line
- Tape measure
- Circular saw
- Safety glasses
- Ear protection
- Orbital sander
- Medium and fine grit sandpaper
- Dust mask
- Sealer primer
- 6-inch paint roller and roller pad
- 1-by-3 inch wood trim
- Electric drill and drill bits
- Countersink tool
- Electric screw gun
- Carpenters glue
- 8-foot length of quarter round (3/4 inch thick)
- 1-inch flathead wood screws (8 gauge)
- Nail putty, powder form
- Two eye hooks
- 50-pound test picture framing wire
- 3-inch polyester paint brush
- Magnetic blackboard paint
- White trim paint
Instructions
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1
Choose a size for your hanging blackboard. The one in this exercise will be 4 feet long and 2 feet high, but in reality you can make a blackboard other sizes as well.
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2
Set the plywood on the saw horses. With the chalk line and tape measure, mark a 2-by-4 foot section of plywood. Cut the plywood with a circular saw. Use protective eye and ear gear for safety.
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3
Sand the plywood with the orbital sander. First use medium grade paper. Continue with fine grain sandpaper until the front surface of the plywood is very smooth. The back side needs only light sanding with medium grade sandpaper.
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4
Brush away all loose sawdust. Paint both sides and all edges of the plywood with the primer-sealer paint and polyester paint brush. Let the paint dry. Most acrylic-based primer-sealers will dry in a few hours, but check the manufacturer's label for specific drying times.
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Lay the plywood on the sawhorses with the smooth side up. Next, cut and fit a 1-by-3 inch, 4-foot top piece along the front of the blackboard. Then place two side pieces that extend down the face of the plywood to the bottom edge. Sand each board lightly and use butt joints where the boards meet in the upper two corners. Attach the facial boards with 1-inch flathead wood screws. Use a pilot hole and countersink to start all screw holes.
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6
Fill each screw hole with wood putty. Then turn the blackboard over.
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Insert more screws into the trim by drilling pilot holes and then securing the flathead screws with a screw gun. No need to countersink or use nail putty on the back side.
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8
Drill a pilot hole for each eye screw and insert the eye screw from the back side. These hanging devices should be located about 10 inches from the top and dead center in the middle of the wood trim.
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9
Run a piece of 50-pound test picture hanging wire between the two eye hooks. Ensure it is very taut.
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10
Cut a 4-foot piece of 1-by-3 trim and a 4-foot piece of the quarter round. Sand each piece lightly.
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11
Stand the plywood on its long edge. Attach the 1-by-3 inch board to the bottom of the plywood using the wood screws. Pilot holes are necessary to start each screw. This board will act as a shelf for the chalk and should be attached to the edge of the plywood that has no trim piece.
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12
Move the plywood on top of the sawhorses. Add a 4-foot piece of quarter round to the top outside edge of the shelf. This piece acts as a stop edge to keep chalk from sliding off the front of the blackboard tray.
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13
Paint the blackboard with the special paint using the brush and roller. Let the paint dry overnight. Add a second coat if necessary.
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Clean the brush and use it to paint the trim and ledge. First apply a coat of the primer-sealer and let the paint dry. Then add a coat of white trim paint to contrast the dull black of the chalkboard. A semi-gloss paint can be used on the trim of the blackboard.
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Tips & Warnings
On smaller blackboards, 3/4-inch plywood can be used for a stiffer surface.
Birch veneer plywood works nicely with blackboard paint (see Resources).
Instead of purchasing magnetic blackboard paint, you can make your own blackboard paint and vary the color. The paint will not be magnetic, but can be blended to match any color.
Blackboards styled like a sandwich board can also be built at home.
If you prefer a magnetic blackboard, look for blackboard paint that comes with a special magnetic primer. Other types have a top coat that is magnetic.
Blackboard paint can be applied directly to wall sections, if desired, to create a simple blackboard.
Make sure the wire and hooks are strong enough to hold the blackboard.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit menu image by christine terkouche from Fotolia.com
