In this instructables we are going to built a classic cutlery holder using a bunch of old rustic wooden boards.

This idea came out as I was searching the across the web looking for something that I can do with a bunch of hardwood boards laying around my workshop. The design is simple, we are going to hold three jars each on an individual wooden board. The boards together are attached to aluminium railings. Now to give this whole thing a modern look I have added a couple of LED strips besides each wooden boards.

Now its time to implement the design... Lets get building.

Step 1: Materials and Tools

This is relatively a simple project so the list of material is as:

Wooden boards
Glass jars
Rope
12v LED strip
Aluminium tubing
Varnish
Screws
5mm input jack
Wires

Recommended tools for the project are:

A saw
Drill machine
Drill bits
Sandpaper or any sanding machine
Screwdrivers
Basic soldering tools

You are not required to use the same tools that are used in this instructables as the goal is to get the job done either by a miter saw or a handsaw.

Step 2: Preparing the Edges

First I have started by preparing the edges of the boards. The first cut is made to make the boards flush from one side. Now I have decided to have the middle board as the longer one compared to the other two side boards measuring 13 inch and 11 inches in length. All these cuts were made on mitersaw.

The sides were cut down on a table saw. As the boards measure nearly 4 inches wide so I just trimmed the edges a few millimetres just to make sure that the boards are wide enough to get make the whole thing look

Step 3: Sanding the Boards

The boards are than sanded using an orbital sander. As the boards were quiet rough so we went from a 60 grit upto 100 grit sandpaper to give the boards a smooth finish.I have also make the corners tapered using the sander.

Step 4: Coating the Boards

To protect the boards from moisture and weather I have coated them using a couple of coats of wood varnish. To give a matt look we have diluted the varnish using thinner which gives the boards a breath taking look. Besides that to keep the original look I haven't added any stain to the varnish.

Step 5: Aluminium Tubing

To hold the boards together I have used a pair of square aluminium tubes. The tubes were cut down to 14 inch length. To mount the boards to the tubes I have drilled a bunch of 4mm holes across the tubes. The centre piece is going to be held with four wood screws. The side pieces were held using a pair of screws for each board.

All the three boards were separated with an inch of spacing between them.

Step 6: LED Strips

To light up the Wooden boards I have used 12v LED strips. These strips comes in length of 5 meters that you can cut down to desired length at points indicated on the strips.

So for our boards I have used two strips for the centre board while one strip for the side boards. As these strips comes with a sticking side so I have sticked the on the rear side of the wooden boards.

All the strips were then connected in parallel so that we can operate them at 12v. For the power input I have used a 5mm input jack. The input jack is the connected to one of the LED strip and then mounted at the bottom of the middle board.

Step 7: Preparing the Jars

For the holders I have deiced to use the storage glass jars. These jars are not only randily available but they give the whole thing a classy look as well.

I have used a brown rope to tie the jars to the wooden boards. The rope is first tied to the jars and then it goes across the holes that I have drilled across each board. To ensure the knot won't come lose I have added a pair of cable ties on the end of each rope.

Step 8: Finishing Touches

Next I have added a bit of hot glue at the bottom of each jar to hold it straight along the length of each wooden board. To hang the holder I have made a rope hook by twisting the rope and adding super glue to it. The hook is then screwed at the top of the centre wooden board.

Now to power this piece of art I have used a 12v DC power adapter.