Turn Firewood Into Floating Shelves

by fixthisbuildthat

23K27220

Intro: Turn Firewood Into Floating Shelves

In this Instructable I'll show you how to turn firewood into floating shelves. Everyone is making floating shelves out of 1x6's so having something this unique will really make them stand out vs. the rest. You can use almost any wood as long as it has the dimensions you are looking for. And it even has some hidden storage for all your precious secrets. Hope you enjoy the project!

Be sure to watch the video above, and if you like it please subscribe to my YouTube channel!

STEP 1: Gather Tools and Materials

Tools Used

Materials/Supplies

STEP 2: Find a Log and Split It

I found this log from a tree that was cut down in my area. I don't have a chainsaw so I had to split it by hand. I found the biggest crack then used the hatchet to wedge down into it and split it open.

Using a chainsaw here would be optimal.

Once it was split I cleaned up the bottom face then drew lines for where my shelf would be cut out.

STEP 3: Cut the Log Using a Sled or Handsaw

I used a bandsaw to cut my logs down further. If you don't have one a hand saw will do the same thing.

I made a quick sled from 3/4" MDF to ride on my bandsaw and put the log on it and shimmed it with wedges held in place by hot glue.

I lined the line I drew earlier up with the cut line and defined the top of each shelf with a cut.

STEP 4: Square the Logs and Dimension to Final Size

I used my jointer to get a square edge on the shelves. You can also use a belt sander or a hand plane to do the same thing here. This gave me a 90 degree corner to take back to the bandsaw and cut the shelves to rough thickness.

I took the shelf to final thickness on the planer and jointer. Again, you could do this all with a handsaw and then clean up the faces with a belt sander or hand plane. Though it would be a lot more work for sure!

With the pieces to final thickness of 4" I cleaned up the live edge with a chisel to remove rotted wood and bark then sanded the face to remove the chisel marks.

STEP 5: Prep the Mounting Hardware

I used invisible mounting hardware that is recessed into the back of the shelves. It's just a mounting plate and support rod joined by a set screw.

I laid out the hardware to match the spacing of my wall studs and drilled a 2" recessed hole with a forstner bit to bury the plate. I drilled 7/16" holes the depth of the support rods into the shelves and it fit right in.

STEP 6: Add the Hidden Storage

I decided to drill some relief holes in the back to lighten the weight and it ended up making some cool hidden storage holes as well. Each hole is 1-1/2" deep and the perfect size to fit a small medicine bottle or 35mm film canister filled with your precious microfiche.

STEP 7: Apply Finish

I applied several coats of oil based polyurethane to the shelves. Using a brush on the front live edge does a better job of getting into all the nooks and crannies.

STEP 8: Mount the Shelves to the Wall

I mounted the shelves to the wall studs using 2-1/2" screws. The shelves just slide onto the rods when installed. You can also put some adhesive in the holes for extra security.

I love how these turned out and they really make a statement.

You can see the whole process at my website: http://fixthisbuildthat.com/diy-live-edge-floating-shelves-from-firewood/

And if you want to see more great projects you can subscribe to my YouTube channel!

18 Comments

LindaC216 6 years ago

Absolutely beautiful! I have tool envy and not the expertise to use them! I am wanting to build a catio and am stalling for fear of not doing it right.

jeanniel1 6 years ago

Very NIIiiiiiice! I love how you got it to be held onto the wall... always a question about floating shelves.

AA040371 6 years ago

One thing that is not clear form the above...if you marked the plate, drilled the 2" recess, and then the 7/16" hole to receive rod as depicted instep 5, then mounted the plates to the wall/studs in step 7, how did the (seemingly arbitrary) placement of rod holes from step 5 align correctly to fixed (i.e. non-arbitrary) positions of studs, and therefore fixed position of mounting plates?

fixthisbuildthat 6 years ago

I lined them up with the wall studs from the location it would be mounted at.

AA040371 6 years ago

So presumably this step would happen before or as part of step 5 as outlined above?

fixthisbuildthat 6 years ago

Yep. I just updated the text to add verbiage about spacing to the wall studs. Thanks

joshberry 6 years ago

Nice work. Be prepared for this to split and crack over time. A found wooden round from a tree is most likely not properly dried for construction/woodworking use, and residual moisture or uneven drying inside the wood will eventually cause the finished piece to crack and split.

fixthisbuildthat 6 years ago

I let the log sit for 2 years before doing anything with it. It was pretty dry, though I'm sure the inside still had some pinned up moisture. Cracking is no problem though, it'll just add to the character.

rayp1511 6 years ago

That came out great, I like the hidden compartments to. Well done.

fixthisbuildthat 6 years ago

thanks, it was a nice little added feature :)

jmatteis 6 years ago

Awesome project! Can't wait to do some of these... they look GREAT!

fixthisbuildthat 6 years ago

thanks!

amcgamcg 6 years ago

I really enjoyed this video, thank you!!!

fixthisbuildthat 6 years ago

thanks!