Paint Shelves

comments (4) May 18th, 2009 in Reader's Gallery

slashdev slashdev, member
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The graduated shelves have a center stile to help support the heavy paint cans.  The scrolled pediment acts as a back for the top shelf, rather than being set flush with the face.  Interesting diagonal lines from the 2 tongue and groove flooring are still visible in places, especially the skirt.  Full size image here.
The columns and paint cans were turned from glued-up blanks.
The paint brush finial is made from walnut, walnut sapwood (the band around the bristles) and holly (the dripping paint).  The drip design was marked on the walnut and cut out with a band saw.  The design was then scribed onto a thicker holly blank.  After the holly was inserted, drips were carved in relief, above the walnut background.
The back is one large frame-and-panel assembly.  The rails are spaced to match the shelves, while the stiles are spaced to use as much of the subfloor width as possible.  Its mounted on casters to make it easy to move, and to protect it from the occasional rain water incursion.  Note that the scrolled pediment is removable so that it can be rolled through doorways.
The columns are based on the Doric Order, with Attic bases.  Note that in addition to being housed in a dado, the shelves are tenoned into the sides and wedged with two holly wedges.
The graduated shelves have a center stile to help support the heavy paint cans.  The scrolled pediment acts as a back for the top shelf, rather than being set flush with the face.  Interesting diagonal lines from the 2 tongue and groove flooring are still visible in places, especially the skirt.  Full size image here. - CLICK TO ENLARGE

The graduated shelves have a center stile to help support the heavy paint cans.  The scrolled pediment acts as a back for the top shelf, rather than being set flush with the face.  Interesting diagonal lines from the 2" tongue and groove flooring are still visible in places, especially the skirt.  Full size image here.
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The house next door was being demolished, and I salvaged the subfloor to make this shelving unit for storing paint in our basement.  Because these boards had also been used for the foundation's concrete forms, I had to belt sand all of them before taking them to my power tools.  Even then, I had to have the planer blades resharpened after this project.  Amber shellac brings out the warm color of the antique pine.


Design or Plan used: My own design
posted in: Reader's Gallery, period interpretation, carving, tenons, turning, pine, frame and panel, shellac, shelf
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Comments (4)

latheman latheman writes: Love it! We woodworkers love to create finished and wonderful utiliterian cabinets, don't we?
Posted: 10:28 am on January 9th

smokysalmon smokysalmon writes: Excellent use of recycled materials. Nice design of the columns, to resemble the paint cans the cabinet will store

Posted: 4:30 am on August 30th

lady_fingers lady_fingers writes: Your paintbrush detail on top wins the day! I always love it when woodworkers take the time to make function harmonize with form, even for items that are more or less utilitarian.

Great design and execution!
Posted: 9:25 pm on June 5th

baudi baudi writes: Wonderful!
Posted: 8:47 am on May 19th

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