Build a Magazine Rack

1. Cut four pieces of 1x12 to 12" lengths. Edge glue and clamp two of the 1x12's together, glue and clamp the two remaining 12" 1x12's. Allow the glue to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions. The glued boards will be the ends of the rack.
   
   
2. Measure 7 1/2" to the left and right of the seam where the boards are joined and mark each point. Rip cut the board at each mark so you have a 12" by 15" board with the joint seam centered along the 15" width and parallel with the 12" length. Perform this step on the second glued board.
   
   
3. Measure 5" to the left and right sides of the joint seam and mark the bottom edge of the board. Measure up from the bottom of each board, along the 12" side and mark each edge at 10". Use a straight edge to draw a line from each mark at the bottom of the board to the 10" mark on the corresponding side.
   
   
4. Measure in from each 10" mark on the side of the board, 5" toward the joint

   The board should look like this drawing after all the marks and lines are drawn. Click herefor details.

   seam and make a mark. Use a straight edge to draw a line from each 10" mark to its corresponding 5" mark.
   
   
5. Use a square to draw a line from each 5" mark to the top of the board.
   
   
6. Mark the center point at the top of the board. Use a square to measure down from the center point 1" and make a mark. We'll call this the handle mark.

1. Cut the board along the lines and use it as a template to mark the second board. Drill a 3/4" diameter hole, 3/8" deep, (called a stopped hole) centered on the handle mark. Cut and drill the second board to match the first. You now have the two end pieces for the rack.
   
   
2. Cut two pieces of 1x12 18" long. Rip one board down to 10" wide. This board is the bottom of the rack. Rip the other board down to 6" wide. This board is the rack divider.
   
   
3. Cut the 3/4" dowel rod 18 1/2" long. The dowel rod is the rack handle.
   
   
4. Cut the 1x4 into four pieces 19 1/2" long and rip them in half. You should now have eight pieces 19 1/2" x 1 3/4", four boards for each side of the rack. These are the side pieces.

1. Secure the bottom of the rack to one of the rack ends by screwing or nailing through the rack end into the end of the rack bottom.
   
   
2. Stand the rack divider on its edge, centered on the rack bottom and butted against the attached rack end. Secure the rack divider by screwing or nailing through the rack end into the end of the rack divider.
   

   When observed from the end, the rack should look like this. Click here for details.

   
   
3. Insert the rack handle (dowel rod) into the stopped hole of each rack end piece. Align the unsecured rack end with the rack floor and secure it to the rack floor and rack divider as you did with the first rack end. The rack handle should slide slightly back and forth in the stopped holes.
   
   
4. Secure the rack floor to the rack divider by nailing or screwing through the bottom of the rack floor into the edge of the rack divider.
   
   
5. Secure a 19 1/2" x 1 3/4" board flush with the top of the angled side of the rack ends. Secure a second board flush with the top of the rack floor. Fasten two more boards evenly spaced between the top and bottom boards. Perform the same steps on the other side of the rack.

Sand the rack as needed. You can finish the rack in any manner you choose, using paint, stain and a clear topcoat or with an oil finish. For more decorative finishing ideas visit the finishing projects section in Lowe's Woodworkers.