Trre OnIGINAL HONAE WOOOWORKING RruN ... - Wood Tools

Iio get accurate holes for the peg
tenons, locate a sharp brad-point ddll
bit at the hole certer, then move your
drill guide block irto position.
you can make a simple guide that
helps control both the angle and the
cutting depth of the drill bit (see the
SKILL-BUILDER). Dimple each hole
center location with an awl, then set
a 1/2"-dit. brad-point bit in place
and use the guide block to align it
for drilling (rIc. 7). To limit the
depth to 5/8", use a stop collar or a
masking tape flag so the bit doesn't
blow through the back of the cleat
(nc. 8).You can also use this setup
(with a 3/e"-dia.bit) to drill holes for
the shelf cap plugs, but they must be
shallower (PLUG CoUNTERBoRE
DETAIL). Have your plugs on hand
to figure the correct depth.
3/8"{lde x 3/a"{eep gruove
Keep blt allgned wlth
SnugEing the guide block up against
the drill bit automatically aligns the
bit for stralgiltt drilling. A stop collar
limits the hole depth to 5/e".
ASSEMBLY AND FINISHING
The last part you need to cut for
this project is the back panel. I used
1/+"-thick cherry plywood here, cut
to nest inside the rabbeted edges of
the side panels and the rails. It helps
to set this panel in place as you
clamp the shelf assembly, but glue
only the shelves and rails in place.
The carcase will stay square until
the glue sets, then you can remove
the panel and fasten the shelf cap
with glue and screws (rIc. 9). Use a
cotton swab to spread a little glue in
the counterbores, then insert the
plugs and tap them home.Whether
the screw plugs are store-bought or
SKItt.BUILDER
Low-Tech Drill Guide is
Easy to Make
lf you count speed, accuracy, and
convenience important in your shop,
a drill prcss fits the descrip,tion. But
you can still get good results without
one. You can cut multiple guide
blocks from a length st M, wilh
gnxrves lto match drill bit diameterc)
cut in opposite faces. By keep
ing the bit captive on three sides,
the block all but guarartees correc't
alignmert. The end of the block can
also act as a depth stop against a
bit collar or the drill chuck itself.
Set the assembly on its back to fasten
the shelf cap. Drive the scrcws, swab
glue in the courterborcs, then tap in
the plugs and trim/sand them flush.
shop-made, they'll probably stand
proud of the surrounding wood sur-
face. A few passes with a hand plane
will trim them closer, and a sanding
block will get them flush.
I chose to apply my stain and fin-
ish to the project while the back
was still detached. It made wiping
and sanding the oillurethane finish
(between coats) a lot easter.
I fastened the back panel with
3/4"-long brads, glued the pegs in,
then drilled a couple of mounting
holes through the upper rail. These
holes should correspond to stud
locations in your wall so you can
mount the shelf securely. t[
WORKBENCH ! MAY I IUNE 1999 39