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Build a Bathroom Towel Rack
Safety Tips
1. Safety glasses or
goggles should be worn whenever power tools are in use and when chiseling,
sanding, scraping or hammering overhead. This is very important for anyone
wearing contact lenses.
2. Wear ear protectors when using noisy power tools. Some tools operate at
noise levels that damage hearing.
3. Be careful of loose hair and clothing so that it does not get caught in
tools; roll your sleeves up and remove jewelry.
4. The proper respirator or face mask should be worn when sanding, sawing
or using substances with toxic fumes.
5. Keep blades sharp. A dull blade requires excessive force and can slip
which causes accidents.
6. Always use the right tool for the job.
7. Repair or discard tools with cracks in the wooden handles or chips in
the metal parts.
8. Don't drill, shape or saw anything that isn't firmly secured.
9. Oily rags are spontaneously combustible, so take care when you store
and discard them.
10. Don't abuse your tools.
11. Keep a First Aid Kit on hand.
12. Do not work with tools when you are tired. That's when most accidents
occur.
13. Read the owner's manual for all tools and understand their proper
usage.
14. Keep tools out of the reach of small children.
15. Unplug all power tools when changing settings or parts.
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KNOW WHERE YOUR HANDS ARE AT ALL TIMES!
Most
Common Mistakes
The single most common
mistake in any do it yourself project is the failure to read and follow
the manufacturer's instructions for any tool or material being used. Other
common mistakes include taking the safety measures that are laid out for a
project for granted and poor project planning. Here is a list of hints to
successfully complete this project and to do it safely.
1. Follow the "Golden
Rule" of measuring: "Measure twice, cut once."
2. Provide yourself plenty of time for each step.
3. Understand your plan. (if you have questions, review that part of the
videotape).
4. When finishing the wood, keep dust and dirt away from the table.
5. Follow the application instructions for your choice of finish.
6. Allow an extra ¼" to " inch when cutting the stock.
7. Experiment with scrap wood before you work on the real piece. This will
help with finishing touches.
Steps to follow:
1. Cut the wood to size
2. Cut the dadoes for the shelves
3. Band saw the design
4. Drill holes for the rack or racks. (Depending on the size of your sides
you can have one or two towel bars)
5. Assemble the bathroom rack
Cut the Wood to Size
For this project there
are two sides, two shelves, and the backs for the shelves. Wood from a
lumber yard may not be square so square the ends before cutting the stock.
1. Crosscut the stock
to length using a table saw with a stop block. Guide the wood through with
the miter gauge. Note: Do not use a miter gauge with the rip fence
as it may cause the wood to bind.
2. Rip the stock.
Measure from the rip fence to the inside of the blade so that the cut is
made on the scrap side of the wood and is the proper dimension.
Cut the Dadoes for the Shelves
Check your plans for
the exact location of the dado cuts.
1. Use a table saw with
a dado set to make the cuts. A miter gauge with an extension fence and
stop block will assure an accurate cut. A router with a guide board
clamped at the correct distance can also be used to make the dado cuts.
Note: Always start the router away from the wood and ease it up after
the bit is on speed to make a clean cut.
Cutting the Curve
1. Measure and mark the
wood for the design that you wish to make. The one shown is two straight
lines using a coffee can top to join the ends of the marks.
2. Using a band saw or
a jig saw, cut the two straight marks first, then on the waste side of the
curve, cut in and make short curved cut first, then going slowly cut the
long side of the curve.
3. Repeat this process
on the other ends.
Drill the Holes for the Towel Rods
Use a drill or a drill press to make the holes.
1. Measure according to
the plans for the whole locations and mark them.
2. Set the depth for the hole to be drilled. A depth gauge can be made
with a piece of tape wrapped around the bit if you are not using a
stationary tool.
3. Drill the holes for the towel bar.
Assemble the Bathroom Rack
1. Sand the pieces
before assembling.
2. Assemble the unit dry to check for proper fit.
3. Apply wood glue to all edges and rod ends. Then use clamps to hold
tight while drying.
4. Apply finishing nails while drying for additional strength.
5. Sand the rack and apply the finish you have selected according to the
manufacturers instruction. There are helpful hints on finishing at the end
of this pamphlet.
How
to Properly Finish a Bathroom Towel Rack
Steps to Follow:
Sandpaper is graded as medium, or numbers 60, 80, and 100. Fine sandpaper
numbers are 150, 180, and very fine 220, 240, and 280. Medium is usually
used for the first sanding, fine for smoother results and very fine for
smoothing finishes between coats. Sandpaper can be used wet for some
finishes.
1.Appearance: do you want a clear finish or do you want a stain to blend
with the other pieces in your home. Do you prefer high gloss or satin?
2. Texture: Smooth and slick or do you want to feel the wood's grain?
3. Durability and protection: how is this piece going to be used, and what
are you going to set on it? Do you need minimum protection from water
marks and scratches?
4. Ease of application: how do you want to apply the finish? Will you be
using a rag, brush, or spray? A helpful hint is to visit a unfinished
furniture store and talk to them about your needs. Look at their finishes
and don't hesitate to bring table leaf with you, etc. if you are trying to
match a finish. Try a finish you might want to use on a scrap piece of
wood that has been smoothed down to your project's finish. You can save a
lot of heartache by taking this time to check before applying a finish
that doesn't work.
When it is time to finish and polyurethane is your choice, vacuum the room
and let the remaining dust settle for 24 hours. Wear lint free clothes and
use the fastest drying polyurethane available. Use a tack rag to remove
dust before applying polyurethane and between coats, after you sand. Do
not apply polyurethane over a coat of shellac or lacquer. A polyurethane
finish is recommended as it is highly water resistant and bathroom racks
may have a lot of water splashed on them.
If
you are using a brush follow these suggestions.
1.
Position the piece in horizontal sections.
2. Apply the paint, varnish or stain across the grain.
3. Brush out the paint with the grain, using the brush as a wiping tool.
Clean the brush as it collects liquid.
4. Pull the brush across the unit's surface with the bristles held almost
vertically.
5. Let each side dry between coats.
Check the varnish to see if a certain stain is called for. Read the label
for drying times and how many coats to apply. Apply two, preferably three
coats of urethane varnish using a good quality natural bristle brush.
Between coats wet sand the finish.
Rub
the surface until it feels smooth. Wipe off any residue and then apply the
next coat. To get the best finish, rub with fine pumice or mineral oil.
Apply
your finish in a well ventilated space with lots of room. Cover the floor
in the area that you will be applying the finish so that if a spill occurs
it will not leave a permanent stain. Follow the manufacturer's
instructions.
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