Plywood and Copper Floating Shelf

Directions

Step 1: Cut Plywood To Size

Use either a ¾” oak plywood or any cabinet grade plywood. Then use a circular saw along with a DIY Track Saw to cut the sheet to its final sizes.

Step 2: Rout Dado Grooves

After laying out your lines, use a ¾” double flute straight bit mounted in a plunge router to create grooves (called dado’s) that will allow the shelves to slide tightly into the backing panel. Then secure the shelves in place with wood glue.

Step 3: Copper Time!

This project incorporates two different pieces made from ½” copper pipe and fittings.  Solder the copper for a handmade, refined-industrial look. (Being able to see how a piece is made makes for great decor, and soldered copper is perfect for this!) Use the TS8000 and solder/flux to connect the fittings, then used a fine file to clean-up and even-out the solder. From there, sand the copper with 320 grit sandpaper and polished everything with 00 steel wool.

Step 4: Finish It Up

After applying a couple coats of Maker Brand Simple Finish to bring out the character in the wood grain, feed the Color Cord pendant lamp through the copper lamp. Then hang the unit on the wall. Depending on your wall, you can either screw your piece into 2x4 studs behind the wall or use at least 100lbs drywall anchors.