Saturday Morning Workshop: How To Build Industrial Bookends
Updated: Aug. 25, 2020Build these industrial bookends to spice up your bookshelf or desk and learn a cool hardware "aging" tip, too.
Time An hour or less
ComplexityBeginner
CostLess than $20
Introduction
Bookends are an easy way to break up space and add character to any bookcase. These industrial bookends are simple to build; you'll only need a drill and saw. Personalize them to your taste with a different species of wood, stain or even paint. We used oak, finished with a Golden Oak stain, and black steel parts.Tools Required
- Drill/driver
- Saw
Materials Required
- 1x6 Board
- 2-in. trim-head screws
- 3/4-in. 90-Degree Elbow
- 3/4-in. Floor Flange
- 3/4-in. Wood Screws
- 3/4-in. x 2-1/2 in. Nipple
Project step-by-step (4)
Step 1
Assemble the bases & uprights
Cut the bases (6-1/2-in.) and uprights (7-1/4-in.) to length from the 1×6 board. Butt each base into an upright and attach using wood glue and 2-in. trim head screws.
Step 2
Assemble the pipe braces
Clean the black steel parts with acetone or mineral spirits to remove the anti-rust coating. Thread the parts together as shown to make the pipe braces.
Step 3
Blacken the wood screw heads
Dip the screw heads in gun bluing solution to blacken them. Then rinse the screws in clean water and dry them with a paper towel (wear rubber gloves and goggles for this step).
Step 4
Attach the pipe braces
Clamp and fasten the pipe braces to the base/upright assemblies using the blackened 3/4-in. screws. That’s it!
Originally Published: November 09, 2018
