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Storage & Shelving

Ladder Shelves

Step-by-step build — 8 steps. Also available as a print sheet.

  1. 1Create the Shelves

    • Cut three Shelves to size from 3/4" plywood.
    • Then drill pocket holes in the Shelves, as shown, with your pocket hole jig set up for 3/4" material. To cover up the exposed plies, apply iron-on edge banding to the front edge of each shelf.
    Ladder Shelves — step photo 3

  2. 2Make the Shelf Edges

    Cut six Front Shelf Edges and six Back Shelf Edges to length from a 1x2 board. Make sure to pay attention to the angles as you cut. After cutting the Front Edges to length, also trim off one corner, as shown.

    Ladder Shelves — step photo 4

  3. 3Apply the Edges

    • Attach the Front Shelf Edges to each Shelf using 1 1/4" coarse-thread pocket hole screws. Make sure they sit flush with the front of the shelf.
    • Then cut a scrap block from 1 x 3 material to sue as a spacer.
    • Position it behind the Front Edge, set each Back Shelf Edge in place, and attach it using 1 1/4" coarse -thread pocket hole screws.
    Ladder Shelves — step photo 5

  4. 4Add Angled Legs

    • Cut two Legs to length from 1x3 boards, as shown in the cutting diagram.
    • Then lay out the locations of the shelf assemblies on one leg, and attach the Shelves to the Leg using 1 1/4" coarse-thread pocket hole screws.
    • Add the second Leg, making sure the shelves align.
    Ladder Shelves — step photo 6

  5. 5Cut the Case Parts

    • Cut one Case Top, one Case Bottom, and two Case Sides to size from 3/4" plywood, as shown in the cutting diagram.
    • Also cut a Case back to Case Top and Bottom, as shown. With your pocket hole jig set up for 3/4" material, drill pocket holes in the Case Top and Case Bottom, as shown.
    • Then, apply iron-on edge banding to the front edge of the Case Top and Bottom.
    • Apply banding to three edges of the Case Sides, as shown.
    Ladder Shelves — step photo 7

  6. 6Begin Case Assembly

    Now you can attach the Case Top and Case Bottom to the Case Sides using 1 1/4" coarse-thread pocket hole screws.

    Ladder Shelves — step photo 8

  7. 7Add the Case Back

    Now you can attach the Case Back. Just align it, and then drive 3/4" brad nails into the back edges of the Case Top, Bottom, and Sides.

    Ladder Shelves — step photo 9

  8. 8Mount the Case

    • Lay the case assembly on its back on a flat surface, then position the leg/shelf assembly so that the case sits parallel with the shelves, and the upper shelf is also resting on your flat surface.
    • Then attach the case to the Legs by driving three 1 1/4" coarse-thread pocket hole screws through each Case Side and into the Leg. The screws work great, even though you’re not using pocket holes. You won’t even need to drill pilot holes for the screws. After that, you can give your project a final sanding, and then apply stain, finish, or paint.
    Ladder Shelves — step photo 10