How to Build a Shelf Standard and Bracket

Building your own shelf standards and brackets is an excellent way to create customizable organization for your home or office. By taking the manufacturing process into your own hands, you can easily determine the best size, color and style for your specific application. You can also vary the maximum load capacity of your shelving by using stronger materials, increasing the size of the brackets or adding more brackets per foot of shelving. This design also allows you to use inexpensive materials for utility areas and high quality hardwoods for more attractive settings.

Shelf board, 12 inches by 36 inches by 1/2 inch
Bracket boards, 8 inches by 1 inch by 1 inch (4)
Support boards, 7 inches by 1 inch by 1 inch (2)
Drill
Wood screws
Drill bits
Saw
Carpenter's square
Measuring tape
Level

Instructions

- 1
  Mark off 45-degree angles on the end of each support board with a carpenter's square. Draw the angles so that the long ends of the board are on the same side, with the entire board looking like a trapezoid. Cut along the lines and repeat for the other support board.
- 2
  Place the end of one bracket board against the side of the other so that they form an L. Pre-drill three holes in the board, slightly smaller than the wood screws, through the top of one board and into the end of the other. Attach these boards with wood screws and repeat for the other bracket.
- 3
  Position the trapezoidal support boards on top of the L brackets so they are flush with the two legs of the bracket. Pre-drill two holes through the back of the bracket into the ends of the support boards. Fasten the support boards securely with wood screws and repeat for the other bracket.
- 4
  Drill two holes on each leg of the brackets, one above and one below the support board joint. Angle the hole, which is slightly obscured by the support board, to allow complete access with a drill.
- 5
  Place the shelf board upside down and position the brackets on top of it in the desired position. Mark the location of the screw holes with a pencil. Pre-drill the shelf board, being careful not to puncture the top surface of the shelf. Attach the brackets to the shelf with wood screws then attach them to the wall, using the same method.

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