Kitchen Spice Rack

Dimensions

Cut list

Tools you'll need

• ✓

  Measuring Tape (5m or longer)

  Used for measuring materials

• ✓

  Pencil and Carpenter's Square

  For marking lines and checking right angles

• ✓

  Saw

  Home center cutting service recommended

• ✓

  Electric Driver

  Impact driver improves work efficiency

• ✓

  Sandpaper

  Prepare #120 and #240 grits

• ✓

  Level

  Essential for checking horizontal alignment during assembly

• ✓

  Clamps (2 or more)

  Used for temporary fixation during joining

• ✓

  Brush and Paint Tray

  Used for oil or varnish finishing

Materials

Build steps

1. 1

   Final Confirmation of Materials and Tools

   ≈ 15 min

   Prepare 2 side boards of SPF lumber 1x8 (19×120×350mm), 6 shelf boards (19×120×500mm), 1 plywood back board 4mm thick (500×350mm), 16 coarse-thread screws 38mm, and 4 L-brackets 50mm. Required tools include an electric driver, saw, measuring tape, carpenter's square, #120/#240 sandpapers, level, two F-type clamps, brush and paint tray, and a tack or small nails.

   Measure

   W 500 mm

   MeasureSTEP 1 / 20

   Tip

   • SPF lumber tends to warp. Check each board visually at purchase and select those with warp within 1mm.
   • L-brackets and screws are essential for tipping prevention. Do not omit them under any circumstances.

   Watch out

   • Check each SPF lumber for warp, crack, and knots before purchase. Boards with warp over 1mm cause shelf distortion.
   • The 4mm thick plywood back board is thin and easily breaks during movement. Manage it upright immediately after cutting.
2. 2

   Securing Workspace

   ≈ 10 min

   Secure a workspace where you can assemble the bookshelf standing 350mm tall. A ceiling height over 2200mm and floor space around 1500×1200mm is sufficient. Lay down a blue tarp and support long materials with two sawhorses.

   Inspect

   No wobble ✓

   InspectSTEP 2 / 20

   Tip

   • Assemble lying down on the floor, and stand up the bookshelf at the final step. Assembly possible even in a narrow room.

   Watch out

   • One person cannot easily stand the bookshelf up alone; two people are safer.
   • If ceiling height is below 2000mm, the bookshelf will hit the ceiling when standing up. Confirm beforehand.
3. 3

   Creating Cut List and Requesting Cutting

   ≈ 20 min

   Submit a cut list to the home center for 2 side boards (350mm), 6 shelf boards (500mm), and 1 back board (500×350mm). If cutting yourself, support the 350mm long boards on two sawhorses while crosscutting. Target cutting tolerance is within ±2mm.

   Cut

   Use the in-store cut service

   CutSTEP 3 / 20

   Tip

   • Cutting fee is 30-50 yen per cut; all cuts cost around 1000 yen total but reduce cutting time from 30 minutes to instant.
   • Because all 6 shelf boards have the same dimension, bundling them and cutting at once improves accuracy.

   Watch out

   • 19mm thick SPF lumber tends to warp even with straight cuts. Use a guide for a straight cut.
   • 4mm plywood is soft and will warp without support underneath during cutting.
4. 4

   Sanding All Materials (#120→#240)

   ≈ 40 min

   Sand all materials starting with #120 grit followed by #240 grit. Pay special attention to the shelf support surfaces on the side boards, the top and bottom faces of shelf boards, and the wood ends (cut edges). Round the shelf edges lightly for better handling. Vacuum all wood dust thoroughly after sanding.

   Sand

   #120

   SandSTEP 4 / 20

   Tip

   • Sanding shelf board surfaces smooth makes book insertion and removal easier.
   • Wood ends (cut sections) have raised fibers, so start sanding with #120 grit carefully.

   Watch out

   • SPF lumber is soft. Over-sanding will cause dimension errors. Use #120 grit primarily and #240 only for finishing.
   • Rounding corners excessively results in a bulky appearance; keep radius around 2mm.
5. 5

   Marking Shelf Positions on Side Boards

   ≈ 15 min

   Place the two side boards side by side and mark six shelf positions with a pencil. Shelf intervals from the bottom can be set at 300mm each (using 1800mm total for 6 layers), or design with wider intervals on top for display. Clamp the side boards together to mark both simultaneously so shelf positions are identical.

   Mark a line

   Use a try square

   MarkSTEP 5 / 20

   Tip

   • Clamp the two side boards together before marking so the shelf locations match perfectly on both sides.
   • Use heights like A4 (297mm), A5 (210mm), and paperback size (150mm) as references for shelf spacing to optimize storage.

   Watch out

   • If shelf positions differ left to right, shelves will be crooked. Simultaneous marking with boards clamped is essential.
   • Do not forget the 19mm shelf board thickness when calculating spacing or actual distance will be narrower.
6. 6

   Preparing Pilot Holes

   ≈ 20 min

   Drill 3mm diameter pilot holes at the marked points. Drill from the outside of the side board toward the shelf board end grain, so the pilot hole passes from side board exterior through to 10mm deep into the shelf (total 29mm). Use masking tape on drill bit as a depth gauge.

   Drill a hole

   下穴 φ3.5mm

   DrillSTEP 6 / 20

   Tip

   • 3mm pilot holes correspond to 70% of the 4.2mm diameter coarse-thread screws, effectively preventing wood splitting.
   • Each shelf requires 2 screws on both left and right side boards, totaling 24 pilot holes for 6 shelves. Check carefully to avoid missing holes.

   Watch out

   • If pilot hole depth is insufficient, screws will not penetrate fully. Drill a bit deeper for safety.
   • Prevent drill bits from passing through the opposite side of the shelf by using tape as a depth stop.
7. 7

   Temporarily Fixing Shelf Boards to One Side Board

   ≈ 20 min

   Lay one side board flat on the floor and stand the six shelf boards upright aligning with markings. Clamp with F-type clamps to temporarily fix. Check right angles between side and shelf boards with a carpenter's square or visually when the square doesn't fit.

   Build the frame

   Check for square

   AssembleSTEP 7 / 20

   Tip

   • Place shelf boards starting from the bottom to increase stability during assembly.
   • Having one clamp per shelf board (6 total) is easiest, otherwise use 2 clamps and progress sequentially.

   Watch out

   • Fixing with incorrect right angles leads to a parallelogram shape. Always verify with carpenters square.
   • If shelf boards protrude beyond the side board edge, the back board cannot be attached later.
8. 8

   Screwing Shelf Boards on One Side

   ≈ 15 min

   Drive 38mm coarse-thread screws via the pilot holes from the side board outside into the shelf board ends, two screws per position (12 screws total for 6 shelves). Screw heads should be flush with or recessed 0.5mm below the side board surface. Use medium torque on impact driver, finishing with a quarter turn by hand.

   Drive screws

   コーススレッド 51mm

   ScrewSTEP 8 / 20

   Tip

   • Screw pairs offset slightly vertically increase pull-out strength.
   • If screw heads are visible, optionally fill with wood dowels after assembly to conceal.

   Watch out

   • Over-tightening screws can split 19mm SPF lumber on end grain. Use medium torque.
   • If screws go in crooked and protrude through opposite side, remove, fill hole with wood putty, and screw again in a different position.
9. 9

   Preparation for Opposite Side Board Installation

   ≈ 15 min

   With shelves fixed to one side board and standing upright, bring the other side board to the other shelf ends aligned with the marked lines. Temporarily clamp in place. Check right angles with the entire assembly standing vertically.

   Build the frame

   Check for square

   AssembleSTEP 9 / 20

   Tip

   • Two people recommended for this step: one holding, one clamping, for accuracy.
   • Opposite side board markings were made initially. Do not re-mark.

   Watch out

   • One person attempting this risks shelves dropping on the floor. Use two people or lean against wall for support.
10. 10

    Screwing Opposite Side Board

    ≈ 15 min

    Drive 38mm coarse-thread screws through pilot holes from the opposite side board outside to shelves, two screws per position (total 12 screws for 6 shelves). This completes fixing both side boards and all shelves, forming the main structure of the bookshelf.

    Drive screws

    コーススレッド 51mm

    ScrewSTEP 10 / 20

    Tip

    • After fixing both sides, check each shelf level with a level. Loosen screws and adjust if any shelf is tilted.

    Watch out

    • Do not screw both sides simultaneously to avoid distortion. Complete one side fully before the other.
11. 11

    Level and Diagonal Check of Whole Assembly

    ≈ 15 min

    Place the assembled bookshelf on the floor and check shelf levels with a level. Measure diagonals (top-left to bottom-right and top-right to bottom-left) with measuring tape; difference must be within 5mm. Adjust by loosening clamps and screws if distorted, then re-tighten.

    Check level

    Level ✓

    LevelSTEP 11 / 20

    Tip

    • Diagonal differences over 5mm indicate a parallelogram shape. Correct before attaching back board.
    • Back board enhances rigidity; fix distortions before attaching back board.

    Watch out

    • Shelf sagging (center lowering) worsens under book weight. Shelf length 600mm is acceptable; consider reinforcement for lengths over 1000mm.
12. 12

    Preparing Back Board Attachment

    ≈ 10 min

    Place 4mm plywood back board (500×350mm) to the rear of the bookshelf. Align all corners and confirm diagonals match the bookshelf to finalize position; the back board also corrects minor distortions. Temporarily fix with masking tape.

    Build the frame

    Check for square

    AssembleSTEP 12 / 20

    Tip

    • Back board is critical for rigidity. Slight misalignment reduces strength.
    • 4mm plywood can be fastened easily with a staple gun. For small nails, pre-drill pilot holes.

    Watch out

    • If back board is larger than bookshelf, trim protruding parts. If smaller, maintain an even gap of about 5mm at edges.
13. 13

    Stapling Back Board

    ≈ 20 min

    Fasten the back board to side and shelf boards using a staple gun (15mm staples) or small nails every 100-150mm around perimeter and along shelf locations as marked. Start fastening from corners and proceed along diagonals to minimize distortion.

    Drive screws

    コーススレッド 51mm

    ScrewSTEP 13 / 20

    Tip

    • Staple gun costs 1500-2500 yen at home centers and is faster than nails; worth investing for bookshelf construction.
    • Mark shelf board positions on back board with pencil beforehand to avoid missing fastening points.

    Watch out

    • Staples that penetrate inside may scratch books. A 15mm staple length is appropriate for 19mm lumber thickness.
    • Only fastening along four edges without shelf locations may cause back board to bow.
14. 14

    Preparing L-bracket Attachment

    ≈ 15 min

    Install four 50mm L-brackets on the top rear left and right sides of the bookshelf, two per side. One side attaches to the bookshelf upper edge, the other side to the wall. Use a stud finder to locate wall studs.

    Fix to the wall

    Anchor to studs

    Wall mountSTEP 14 / 20

    Tip

    • Low-cost stud finders from 100-yen stores are less accurate; a 1000-2000 yen home center model is recommended.
    • Typical stud spacing is 455mm. After finding one stud, the next is estimated easily.

    Watch out

    • If wall is only drywall without studs, screws will not hold and tipping prevention fails.
    • If L-bracket position does not align with studs, adjust bracket horizontally to center screw on stud.
15. 15

    Attaching L-brackets to Bookshelf

    ≈ 10 min

    Attach all four L-brackets on the bookshelf side board exteriors at the upper section using 38mm coarse-thread screws into the bracket’s screw holes. Fix brackets flush or within 5mm from side board surface, ensuring they protrude perpendicularly to the wall side.

    Drive screws

    コーススレッド 51mm

    ScrewSTEP 15 / 20

    Tip

    • Orient L-brackets so the bend faces the wall side and screw holes face the bookshelf side.

    Watch out

    • Improper bracket alignment causes gaps between bracket and wall. Verify with level.
16. 16

    Installing Bookshelf and Wall Attachment

    ≈ 20 min

    With two people, place bookshelf at the installation location and stand it upright. Press tightly against the wall. Secure the wall side of the L-brackets with 45-50mm coarse-thread screws (supplied or otherwise) into wall studs through the bracket screw holes. Fix all four points to complete tipping prevention.

    Fix to the wall

    Anchor to studs

    Wall mountSTEP 16 / 20

    Tip

    • Wall screws must be 45-50mm to reach studs; 38mm screws are too short.
    • Fixing to the wall is the most critical step to prevent injury or death in earthquakes—do not skip or do it lightly.

    Watch out

    • Using only drywall anchors lacks strength. Always screw to studs.
    • If the gap between wall and shelf is over 5mm, insert shims before securing. Floating brackets do not work properly.
17. 17

    Cleaning Before Painting

    ≈ 10 min

    Thoroughly clean the entire bookshelf using vacuum and dry cloth to remove wood dust, oil, and fingerprints which greatly affect finish quality. Optionally, mask the plywood back board as it absorbs paint quickly.

    Inspect

    No wobble ✓

    InspectSTEP 17 / 20

    Tip

    • For perfect cleaning before painting, wipe 'dry cloth → damp cloth → dry cloth' in sequence.

    Watch out

    • Remaining wood dust causes rough finish. Inspect with lighting.
18. 18

    Applying First Coat of Oil Stain

    ≈ 40 min

    Brush oil stain (e.g., Watco Oil or Kinura) evenly over all surfaces in order: outside of side boards, top of shelf boards, underside of shelf boards, then back board. After 10-15 minutes, wipe off excess with a dry cloth. Use about 60-70% of total stain amount on the first coat.

    Paint

    Watco oil / varnish

    PaintSTEP 18 / 20

    Tip

    • Oil stain application steps: apply → wait 10-15 min → wipe off. Not wiping leaves stickiness.
    • Brush width 30-50mm is optimal for bookshelf work. Too wide brushes cannot reach fine details.

    Watch out

    • Forgetting to wipe leaves stickiness for more than a week; always wipe.
    • Plywood back boards absorb quickly, causing uneven color; apply thin coat and wipe carefully.
19. 19

    Applying Second Coat of Oil Stain

    ≈ 25 min

    After 24 hours drying from the first coat, apply a second coat of oil stain using 1/3 to 1/2 the amount of the first coat. Also wipe off excess. Two coats deepen the color and improve protection. Allow complete drying for 24-48 hours.

    Paint

    Watco oil / varnish

    PaintSTEP 19 / 20

    Tip

    • The second coat corrects color unevenness from the first. Apply thin and uniform coats.
    • If a deeper color is desired, a third coat can be applied.

    Watch out

    • Do not forget wiping on the second coat either; thick application causes blotchiness.
    • During drying, protect from dust and insects by keeping indoors.
20. 20

    Completion, Use, and Inspection

    ≈ 15 min

    After full drying (at least 48 hours), place books and start use. Arrange heavy books on the lower two shelves and lighter books like paperbacks on upper shelves for balance and stability. After one week of use, check for screw loosening and L-bracket tightness; retighten as needed.

    Done!

    Done — nice work!

    DoneSTEP 20 / 20

    Tip

    • Concentrate heavy volumes (encyclopedias etc.) on bottom two shelves; keep upper shelves for light books.
    • Reapply oil stain every 3-5 years to restore gloss and protection.

    Watch out

    • Placing books before full drying transfers oil stain onto books. Wait at least 48 hours.
    • Books absorb moisture; in rainy season place dehumidifiers. The bookshelf can warp from humidity.

Warnings

• ⚠️Drill pilot holes before driving screws to prevent wood splitting

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