How to Build an Inwall Shelf

Hold the electronic stud locator against the wall with the button depressed. Slide it slowly left and right and mark the outside edges of two adjacent studs. Place the level horizontal on the wall with the bubble centered and use it as a guide to draw lines between the studs at the top and bottom.

Push the jab saw into the drywall on one of the lines. Saw along the line to the stud, then along side the stud to the second line. Cut across the drywall to the opposite stud and then along side it. Remove the cutout piece of drywall.

Measure the opening width, height and depth. Set the table saw fence to the opening depth minus 3/8 inches to allow for the thickness of the back piece. Raise the table saw blade to 3/4 inches. Place the 1/2-inch plywood on the saw table against the fence. Turn the saw on and feed the plywood through the blade while holding it against the fence. Cut pieces for the top, bottom, two sides and the shelves.

Measure the top, bottom and shelf pieces and mark them to the opening width minus 1 inch. Mark the side pieces to the height of the opening. Remove the table saw fence and install the miter gauge. Place a piece on the saw against the miter gauge, align the mark with the blade and cut each piece on the mark.

Stand the two side pieces on edge parallel to each other. Place the top and bottom pieces on edge between them to form a square or rectangle. Clamp the side pieces together using two clamps with just enough force to hold the assembly together. Make the top and bottom pieces flush with the ends of the side pieces.

Drill two countersunk pilot holes through each end of the side pieces and into the top and bottom pieces. Screw the side pieces to the top and bottom pieces with wood screws. Remove the clamps and add the shelves. Drill pilot holes and screw them into place using two screws into the end of each shelf.

Mark the 1/4-inch-thick plywood to the width and height of the shelf assembly. Cut the plywood on the marks to make the back piece. Place a thin bead of wood glue along the rear edges of the sides, top, bottom and shelves. Place the back piece on the rear of the shelf assembly and make the edges flush with the sides, top and bottom of the assembly. Nail the back piece to the edges with brads.

Place the assembly into the wall opening and level it with the level. Drill one hole at the top and bottom on the left and right through the side of the assembly into the studs. Screw the assembly to the studs with wood screws.

Mark the 1/4-inch-thick plywood to the width and height of the shelf assembly. Cut the plywood on the marks to make the back piece. Place a thin bead of wood glue along the rear edges of the sides, top, bottom and shelves. Place the back piece on the rear of the shelf assembly. Make all the edges of the back piece flush with the sides, top and bottom of the assembly. Nail the back piece to the edges with brads.

Place the assembly into the wall opening and level it with the level. Drill one hole at the top and bottom on the left and right through the side of the assembly into the studs. Screw the assembly to the studs with wood screws.