Wood Lath Crate Shelves — print · Notch

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Wood Lath Crate Shelves

A tiny stackable crate shelf made from two 1x4 ends and a fan of cheap lath sticks. An hour and a handful of nails.

Cut list

Part	Qty	T × W × L	Material	✓
Crate ends	2	3/4" × 3 1/2" × 12"	1x4	☐
Lath slats	10	1/4" × 1 1/2" × 13 1/2"	Wood lath	☐

Item	Qty	✓
1x4, 2 ft (Pine) The two crate ends.	2 foot	☐
Wood lath sticks, 48" Thin lath, roughly 1/4" x 1-1/2".	3 each	☐
Finish nails, 1-1/4"	30 each	☐
Wood glue	2 oz	☐
Paint Satin finish; two coats.	1 each	☐

Overall cost: $. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.

1. Nail the lath to the back and bottom
Tools: Hammer. Materials: 1x4, 2 ft, Wood lath sticks, 48", Finish nails, 1-1/4", Wood glue
This is the trickiest part if you don't have a nailer: glue and nail the lath across the back of the two 1x4 end pieces, spacing the slats evenly. Even spacing is the whole game on a piece this plain — an uneven gap is the only flaw the eye will find.
2. Add the end slats and finish
Tools: Hammer. Materials: Wood lath sticks, 48", Finish nails, 1-1/4", Paint
Add the lath across the ends to close the crate, and it's built. Sand off any splinters and paint — two coats of a satin color make cheap lath look deliberate. These stack and hang nicely once dry.