Weekend Project – Simple Wall Shelf in 4 Hours

Weekend project update: finished the simple wall shelf I started Saturday morning. Total time was about 4 hours including finish drying time.

The Build

Furniture making process

Nothing fancy here. Three pine boards from the home center, some pocket screws, and Danish oil finish. Cost me under $30.

I used my Kreg jig for the joinery. Quick and strong enough for a shelf that’ll hold books and plants.

Lessons Learned

Pine shows every little ding. Be careful during assembly or you’ll spend more time sanding than building.

Also, Danish oil on pine looks beautiful but takes longer to cure than the can says. Give it a full day before loading up the shelf.

What’s Next

Thinking about building a matching set for the other wall. Maybe I’ll try a darker stain this time.

Simple projects like this are perfect for Sunday afternoons. Not everything needs to be a masterpiece.

David Chen

David Chen

Author & Expert

David Chen is a professional woodworker and furniture maker with over 15 years of experience in fine joinery and custom cabinetry. He trained under master craftsmen in traditional Japanese and European woodworking techniques and operates a small workshop in the Pacific Northwest. David holds certifications from the Furniture Society and regularly teaches woodworking classes at local community colleges. His work has been featured in Fine Woodworking Magazine and Popular Woodworking.

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