Homemade Acrylic-and-Wood Book Racks for the Reader on Your Gift List

If you have a set of tools at home, then this little project will be done in a flash. A Christmas gift of an acrylic and wood book rack is perfect for the reader of the family. You can create this item quite easily if you have a power drill with a 1/16" drill bit, a 7/64" bit, a 1"forstner bit or multispur bit and a power saw that has a fine plywood blade.

You will need to purchase 2-8"X8"X3/16" pieces of acrylic. If they will cut them for you in the store, all the better, you won't need the power saw or blade. Get 2-12" dowels that are 1" in diameter and are hardwood. Besides needing four brass roundhead wood screws, you will also need to get 2-8" 1X3" pieces of maple. Sand smooth the rough ends of the wood pieces and stain all wood to the desired color. .

The acrylic should have protective paper; leave it on until you have all the holes bored. Line up all the wood and acrylic. You will do this by putting down an 8X8" piece of scrap wood, laying the acrylic sheets on the wood with their bottoms lined up to its bottom. Next put the 2- 1X3" maple pieces on top with the 8" side of the wood lined to the edge of the acrylic. Clamp this down so it remains very steady. This step is the most important part of the entire process. If the holes are not properly lined up, the dowels that act as the supports won't slide into the holes

Measure 3/4" from the end and make a light hash mark. Put your ruler on the mark and measure up from the bottom, 1 1/2". Where it crosses the mark is the center for a 1" hole.

Do the same on the other side. Use the 1" fostner or multispur bit. Be very careful not to damage the acrylic.

Unclamp the wood and acrylic and clamp together 1 piece of acrylic and 1 piece of wood.

Put the dowels in the holes that you just drilled, to make certain that they are in line. Mark a spot that is 3/4" up and 3" over from the edge. Do this on both sides. Drill a 1/16" pilot hole completely through the acrylic and 3/8" of the way into the maple piece. Unclamp and lay the other acrylic piece on top of the wood and repeat the process. You will need to open the holes more on the acrylic, so drill them again using a 7/64" bit. Remove the protective paper on the acrylic. Use 400-grit wet, dry sandpaper to smooth the edges of the holes.

You are now ready to attach the acrylic to the wood. Snug the screws up but don't over tighten them. Slightly sand the dowel holes made in the maple. The dowels should slide in the holes. If it is difficult to do, sand the dowel and the holes a little more.

I highly recommend that every woman and man have their own set of power tools if you enjoy making home gifts. The tools don't have to be expensive, and shopping for them can be quite a bit of fun. I found a Black and Decker anniversary special series cordless power drill on sale for only $25. It's really pretty. Yes, I said pretty. It is a solid silver color. The bits are not that expensive if you buy them one at a time. The power saw that I used was borrowed from my life partner, so I don't have everything in my handy dandy shop, but I am getting there.

To give the book rack, you can drape it in a garland of greenery and make an ornament that is marbleized. Simply remove the cap from a large clear ornament and pour a little gold glass craft paint into the top, and some white glass craft paint. Swirl the ornament around until you are satisfied with the design. It is always best to start with a very small of each. You can always add more. Replace the cap on the ornament when the paint is dry. Tie the ornament and a name tag on with a gold and white ribbon, the fancier the better, and gift it to the lucky recipient.