Directions for Tiered Accent Shelves

Place the 1-by-3-by-18-inch board with the 3-by-18-inch side resting flat on the table of a drill press. Drill a 1/8-inch diameter hole through the center of the 3-inch width of the board on each end using a drill press equipped with a 1/8-inch drill bit. Space the hole 1 inch in from each 1-by-3-inch end of the board. These are the mounting holes for the unit.

Measure and mark the center of the length of the 1-by-6-by-6-inch board, 1-by-6-by-8-inch board and 1-by-6-by-12-inch board using a tape measure and pencil. These are the shelf boards.

Adjust the table saw equipped with a dado blade set to make a 3/4-inch-deep cut by turning the blade height adjustment knob until it reads 3/4 inch. Tighten the knob lock to secure the blade at this height.

Place the 1-by-6-by-6-inch board with one 1-by-6-inch side flat on the table of the table saw. Guide the board through the saw to make a 2 1/2-inch-wide notch in the board that is evenly centered on the center mark you made in step 2. Repeat this process for the 1-by-6-by-8-inch board and 1-by-6-by-12-inch board to make a 1-inch-deep by 2 1/2-inch-wide notch in one long side of each of the shelf boards.

Orient the 1-by-3-by-18-inch board vertically, and lay it with the 3-by-18-inch board flat on a work surface. This is the back board. Position the 1-by-6-by-6-inch board over the back board. Align the notched side of the board over the back board. Place it 3 inches down from the top end of the back board. Position the 1-by-6-by-8-inch board in the center of the length of the back board. The notch will interlock over the back board in the same manner as the first shelf board. Position the remaining shelf board up 3 inches from the bottom end of the back board in the same manner as you did the other two shelf boards.

Turn the assembly over while holding the boards in place. Drive three evenly spaced trim head wood screws through the back board into the notched edge of each shelf board to secure the assembly in place with a screw gun.

Apply wood finish to the assembly using a natural bristle brush in an even manner. Allow the finish to dry for four hours and apply a second coat. Allow the finish to dry for 24 hours before mounting the unit to a wall stud.