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Fixing Shelves in an Alcove

An alcove beside a chimney breast (fireplace projection) or similar protrusion makes a perfect site for a shelves, as the hack and side walls can be used as supports. Although it is easy to use fixed shelf brackets or anadjustable-shelving system to support shelves, it is cheaper to fix wood ormetal support strips to the alcove wallsand to rest the shelves on these.

If you arc using wooden supports, cuttheir front ends at an angle so that theyarc less noticeable when the shelves arefitted. Paint them the same colour asthe walls (or to tone with no covering) to make them even lessobtrusive. If you use metalstrips for the supports, choose a size thatmarches the shelf thickness so that theywill he almost invisible once you havefitted the shelves.

The actual job is quite simple. Markthe shelf level on the alcove walls, cutthe supports ro the required lengths andscrew them to the walls. Then cut yourshelf to size and slip it into place, sothat it rests on the supports. You cannail, screw or glue it in place for extrastability. The only difficult parr lies inmaking the shelf a good fit, as thealcove walls may nor he truly square.Accurate measuring of the alcove widthat front and hack, plus some carefulscribing (lithe rear edge of the shelf,will ensure good results.

WORKSHOP STORAGE

An area where some storage space iscertainly needed is the workshop, whether this is a spare room, an area atill,: hack of the garage or a separatebuilding. The basic need is for shelfspace, to take everything from cans ofpaint to garden products, and also someform of tool storage to keep everythingin order. Freestanding utility shelving isthe ideal way of providing sturdy andcompact garage or workshop storage

I. Decide on the shelf positions, then use aspirit level to mark the position of the firstshelf support on one alcove wall.

2. Drill clearance and countersink holes inthe supports, and use the first one to markthe fixing hole positions on the wall. Drillthe holes and fix this support.

Rest a shelf on the first support, adjust ituntil it is level and mark the shelf positionon the opposite wall of the alcove. Preparethe second shelf suppor

4. Screw the second support in place afterusing it to mark the positions of the fixingholes on the wall, as in step 2. Check againthat it is level.

5. Make up a set of pinch rods from scrapwood, held together as shown with a rubberband. Extend the rods to span the rear wallof the alcove.

6. Lift out the rods carefully withoutdisturbing their posit ions. Lay ahem on therear edge of the shelf and mark on it thewidth of the alcove. Repeat the opens on in step 5 to8 Cut the shelf to width and lay it on the measure the width at. the point where thesupports. lithe fit is ixior against the back front edge of the shelf will he, then transferwall, use a block and pencil to scribe the the measurement to the shelf.wall outline on rhe shelf.

7. Saw carefully along the scribed line withaliower jigsaw (saber saw). Sand the cutedge unt iii, is smooth and then fit the shelfback in position.

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