How to Build a Wood Shelf Out of Two Posts

Place the two wooden posts on a work surface. Measure and mark each post at 48 inches using a tape measure and pencil.

Lay each post, one at a time, flat on the table of a miter saw. Slide the post along the table until the pencil mark is aligned with the outside edge of the saw blade. Saw each post at the pencil mark with the miter saw to give you four 48-inch-long posts.

Adjust the table saw equipped with a dado blade set to cut a 2-inch deep notch. Measure and mark one side of two 48-inch posts 3 inches in from each end. Cut a 2-inch-deep by 4-inch-wide notch starting at each pencil mark into the two marked posts using the table saw. This gives you a 2-inch-deep by 4-inch-wide notch 3 inches in from each end of the two posts. These are the sides of the post shelf. The notches will accommodate the ends of the shelf posts.

Place the two side posts on a work surface so they are vertical. The notched sides should be facing each other. Insert the remaining two 48-inch posts between the side posts. Position the posts perpendicular to the sides, and slide the ends of the posts into the notches in the respective sides to create two shelves.

Hammer two evenly spaced square head nails through the outside of the sides into the ends of the shelves to secure the shelf assembly together.

Apply two even coats of shellac on the completed shelf assembly with a natural bristle paintbrush. Wait 24 hours between coats, and wait 48 hours after the final coat before handling the assembly.