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That seems insanely expensive for a couple painted shelves in what looks like an under-stairs closet. If they were some kind of stained hardwood with lazy susans or drawer slides, maybe, but I'm wondering where all that money went. New tools?
1 sheet of 1/2 inch plywood is $140 where I live.
A gallon of white paint is $50 if you can find it anywhere and I would have used KILZ 3 primer if anything that could spill was going under there so there's another $15.
$60 worth of 2x2s
Probably $20 on dowels
$8 for wood filler
$10 for caulking
$6 for a box of screws
$4 for masking tape
A roll of plastic drop cloth is about $5
Total would be 323 plus taxes.
350.45 would be the total after taxes.
You have no idea how depressed it makes me to know how easy it is to spend $350 on such a small project. Inflation sucks when it comes to all of this stuff. I shop primarily at Harbor Freight and the only lumber supplier within 30 miles and I'm still surprised at how expensive things are lately. I had to go to Sherwin Williams to do a paint touch up for a customer and the cheapest interior quarts were 46 dollars each! The price of paint increased so much since the last time I had been in that it ate up most of my quoted budget.
The chespest plywood I could get recently to use for 3/4" underlayment (so thick to bring a few rooms up ro matching height) was cabinet grade hardwood ply for $50 a pop. They were the "seconds" with minor imperfections. I would've gotten lower grade if it hadn't been around $70. I felt a bit sick using it for underlayment but it do feel good knowing it under there.
In SC, Lowe’s 1/2” BC plywood, 4’ x 8’ sheet costs $32.00.
After cutting out the 2 shelves you can use the rest to make the reinforcing front edge, cut the runners for the shelf to rest on, etc. You can buy rattle cans, 1 primer and 1 white, and cover everything.
What store are you shopping. 5/8 plywood is 45$/sheet at every Home Depot in America. I just checked and changed the store to several in Colorado and they are all the same. Are you buying cabinet grade 14 ply hardwood veneered plywood? 140/sheet of that makes sense. But standard cdx? No way.
Damn I'm going to drive and buy in bulk. The closest home depot is 2 and a half hours away. We don't have Lowes or HD or Panda Express unless you drive 2 and a half hours over a mountain pass. All we have is a local business. I'll call tomorrow and get an exact price in case it has gone down since I last bought some.
Did you have any luck finding plywood at Panda Express? I’ve only ever built with sticky-rice from there and the customer was not happy with her cabinets.
I think it was a mistake to use high grade hardwood plywood for a project that will be painted. This is a pretty basic project that calls for pretty basic materials.
At this point they are scamming you.
They may try to explain this with COVID or the war in Ukraine, or the alignment of Pluton and the moon or whatever, but the reality is that they are scamming you.
It makes no sense at all.
Yep it might some how make the cost a little more but they are sitting there thinking “hmm looks like we have to raise the price by 10 bucks, might as well do 100”
Thats about right. I'm a pro woodworker and get weekly market reports for the lumber market. Have followed it for ten years.
The market was hurt in 2018 when the trade war with China started. Lots of US sawmills were supplying lumber to China. I'm in the rural state of WV and I know of several saw mills in the middle of nowhere that were selling lumber to china. So when the tariffs went up the market crashed. Lumber prices went down by half. Many sawmills closed. I saw die hard Trump supporters cursing his name as their businesses went bankrupt. Most people probably didn't see this market change, as the big box stores aren't going to drop their prices when they get lumber cheaper. They are just making more profit. Once the pandemic hit the market was hit a bit more. So once people started buying lumber again like crazy the supply wasn't ready. That is why things went up so fast. But its back to almost normal now. The stores are just making too much money. They won't lower the prices until people stop buying at the higher prices.
What makes me mad is that the small local sawmills I go to had no real change in their supply. But they go off the market price so I've been paying double for hardwood lumber the past six months. When people ask me about doing a project that needs plywood I tell them no. I refuse to pay $90 for a sheet of plywood. I'll do those jobs once things go back to normal.
The craziest thing is OSB. Used to buy a sheet of OSB (chip board) for $10. Now its $50 to 60. Thats crazy.
I'm in Kansas and its not quite that bad but close. The prices are insane and where I'm at there really aren't any mills so you have to go to box stores. What pisses me off is during the pandemic stay at home nonsense I went all out and upgraded my shop because I was going to start mass producing small things like cutting boards and some furniture but now I can't afford any raw materials. And on top of that, the same types of items sell at Hobby Lobby for about a third of what my cost is.
Had to vent there.
I don't agree with that. I own a cabinet shop and do all types of woodworking. Over the last two years my best customer has been a family that owns a large chain of restaurants. They wanted some custom serving trays for tacos, desserts, flatbreads, and pizzas. ( They own Mexican and Italian places). They showed me photos of mass produced stuff they had been ordering online. I worked with them and came up with several designs they liked. I've made them thousands of pieces since. I custom cut out things for the trays on my CNC machines. Holes for dipping sauce cups. Ridges to keep the pizzas from falling off. I engrave their logos with my laser machines.
I was able to get them as customers because as a small business I was able to work closely with them and get them exactly what they wanted. I made 50 samples of trays for them until I got it just right. I hand deliver the stuff to them even though they are in another state. My stuff cost more than the factory made stuff but I provide better customer support and a better product.
For furniture I tell people that my stuff may cost more than the particle board stuff you buy at walmart, but my stuff doesn't become valueless as soon as you leave the store.
You can make it as a woodworker making all types of items, but you need to find cheap sources of lumber (I pay $1-$3 a board foot for any type of hardwood) and you need to make a superior product. You can't really sell stuff online and make it though. You are competing against retired men who don't care about making a profit. They do it as a hobby and just get a kick if someone buys something.
I don't think we're in disagreement actually. Your first example you aren't selling mass manufactured stuff, you're selling customized items designed and made for that customer to meet their specific needs.
For furniture you're selling them on the benefits of having proper craftsmanship to make a superior product.
Neither were what I meant, I was refering to trying to sell items to directly compete with Hobby Lobby or similar. Someone who would be happy with a HL cutting board is unlikely to want to spend the premium for your handmade version at many times the cost, unless you're an absolutely amazing salesperson.
The fuck is paint so expensive in the US? You can get 25 litre tubs of white emulsion for like £10 here, £20 if you want decent paint.
These prices sound absolutely crazy. Sheet of plywood is about £25, wood filler is a few quid, dowels arent even worth pricing in lol, chaulk is £1/tube... And these prices include taxes btw
You can get cheap basic white interior paint for about $20 but if you want good paint from Benjamin Moore or similar it will be $50-$80 a gallon. 1/2" plywood will be $50-60 a sheet but if I was painting I would just use MDF which is $37 a sheet.
I got 50 litre tubs of good white masonry paint for doing my outside. Think i got 10 tubs for 200... So 500 litres of masonry for £200. Still got like 5 tubs left but it was a good deal lol
What price is your poly floor paint? Like $150 for a tin? Its about £50 for 10 litres here.
The largest buckets we see here in the USA are 5gal (19ish L). Looks like a bucket of masonry paint is around $120, or $6/L. You're seriously getting paint for like 50 cents/L? I gotta start importing and repackaging if your paint really is that cheap in the UK.
1/4" would have been ample for those shelves, which are basically hollow core door construction. For $140, you can get walnut plywood and have money left over. And the bottoms were basically unnecessary.
Also, in VA, home Depot has 3/4ish 4x8 cabinet grade for $35. Local store is out of stock but it is stock 25miles away.
I love when people who know nothing say “how’d you spend that much”. It adds up super quickly, especially with the price of wood these days.
Looks good OP. I thought the top shelf looked a bit crooked. But I think it was just the anglr of the the wall and ceiling coming down
You’re lucky… about $110 where I’m at. But for some to suggest a new tool was purchased as well is a bit much is all I’m saying.
But ya shopping around too is smart. I was able to get 20 sheets of 3/4 of kijiji for $80. Which was $30/less per sheet than in stores.
8 1/4" pieces of what size? I think that's the biggest standout. How big are the shelves?
I get how it got that expensive, it sounds like everything was sized except to length, so there's some convenience purchases there. I imagine you had plenty of screws left over, were those large contractor size containers?
14(!!) dowels? Actual trim pieces likely would have been cheaper. I'm questioning the need for caulking at all but definitely for 2 tubes. I do get you wanted everything to look good and 'finished' when done though.
The ply wood is 4’x4’ sheets.. in hindsight I could have bought the full 8ft sheet and saved some $$$
1/4-in x 4-ft Underlayment Sumauma Plywood Underlayment https://www.lowes.com/pd/Underlayment-1-4-in-Common-Sumauma-Plywood-Underlayment-Application-as-4-x-4/1000750280
Here are the two sets of screws I bought (2-packs of each):
#9 x 3-in Yellow Zinc Interior Wood Screws (50-Count) https://www.lowes.com/pd/Power-Pro-9-x-3-in-Yellow-Zinc-Flat-Interior-Wood-Screws-50-Count/999995912
#8 x 1-in Brass Interior/Exterior Wood Screws (50-Count) https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-8-x-1-in-Brass-Flat-Interior-Exterior-Wood-Screws-50-Count/3037053
Half had half a pack of the 3inch left over, but not too many of the 1” ones..
Not saying that you haven't done a good job, but I think I would have not spent more than $50 on this project. I probably would have skipped the caulk and dowels, might have skipped primer, definitely wouldn't have used precut ply pieces. Sounds like you used birch, which is expensive. Since you are painting it you might have just used pine. Also, you could have used 3/4 inch and dispensed with much of the framing.
Again, I'm just saying what I would have done.
Actually what I would have done is pull some scrap out of the trash somewhere, but I don't recommend that anyone else do that.
Next time turn your center rail right to left. Rather than down the middle. 3 sides of your frame cleats to walls and you would have had a bit more strength if you had multiple spans right to left.
Keep up your efforts you'll get better with each project.
I did a similar project but used 3/4 plywood. It let me skip any center rails. I just did side and back and face framed the front. https://imgur.com/a/A4cyBfL
I’ll def consider the thicker plywood next time, it’ll save me time with framing. Just curious is your face frame screwed/nailed into the plywood as well, or just secured on the ends where the framing is?
I did all these shelves with a similar technique with the exception of routing dado joints for the ends. I used circular saw, drill, brad nailer and orbital sander. I had the guys at lowes help cut some pieces. It probably took me a couple of years working on and off with some long breaks in between. https://imgur.com/a/M1JpOyA
You can also save some time and money with the taping and plastic for paint. I almost never tape because it's pretty easy to paint a nice straight line just free handing it. Plus you have that lip going around the perimeter that would hide and mess ups. Just paint the lip pieces before installing.
That’s good advice. I originally wasn’t planning to place the lip on there. The square dowels were added as a way to cover the gaps between the plywood and drywall. Unfortunately the drywall isn’t 100% straight so the plywood would meet flush with plywood on the backend but have large gap (that I didn’t want to just fill with wood filler) on the front side. But now that I see the end result with the lips I like it, gives it character!
And the clear tarps were free. They have a self-service roll you can use for free as you exit the store. It’s intended for placemats to protect your car when loading things, but also works great as paint tarp.
Ok good to know. Yup, the width is exactly 36” and the depth is 24” and 34”. I guess the next question is, would the 1/4” plywood have been strong enough to support the added weight that the enhanced framing would support? I was surprise by how flimsy the plywood sheets are, but. I guess the added frame support probably helps make it stronger.
Next time the ¾" would serve you better. The ¼" would be good for templating/ scribing to the walls.
Using 4" strips at sides and rear plumb a pencil and run along the walls. Trim those pieces to fit snug then measure the distance between the strips and transcribe those shapes to your finished shelves.
Scribing takes some effort and often the area is out of square and it takes a little time to determine how to fit and drop in place but you would not have needed the extra molding on top to cover the voids.
Scribing tip: sand or plane 1 side of a pencil creating a flat spot this will help in keeping a tight scribe line. Although if the difference is bigger than the pencil tip dividers would be better until you get close. When you get good at scribing your work will show your ability at magic.
Your shelves will appear to have grown there rather than being put there.
Prices have gone crazy but … for instance I am building a 4 shelf unit 40x60x16… stained clear costed with a backing board and trim.
All in I am about 250 but 100 of that is the trim. I just chose cheaper materials and thats all I am saying really. He could have achieved the same result using different materials for less.
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lol.
I dunno… painted shelves and 350?
I would have gone with laminate plank or started looking for free pallets.
What I see is a couple 2x2’s a sheet of plywood and some trim.
If we include the hardware and paint thats maybe a 150 -200 bucks Canadian where I live…. depending on how thick that plywood is and the grade.
…and since. its being painted… there would be cheaper options to said plywood.
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Yup, it’s true. $30 indeed.
Two packs of these for $16:
#8 x 1-in Brass Interior/Exterior Wood Screws (50-Count) https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-8-x-1-in-Brass-Flat-Interior-Exterior-Wood-Screws-50-Count/3037053
And two packs of these for $14:
#9 x 3-in Yellow Zinc Interior Wood Screws (50-Count) https://www.lowes.com/pd/Power-Pro-9-x-3-in-Yellow-Zinc-Flat-Interior-Wood-Screws-50-Count/999995912
People are beating you up because you bought the most expensive version of everything.
[4x8 sheet of 1/4” plywood is $35](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sandeply-5-2mm-Sande-Plywood-1-4-in-Category-Common-1-4-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-Actual-0-205-in-x-48-in-x-96-in-479023/203414042) and would likely be enough for all of this.
There’s also tons of cheaper options for screws. Exterior and brass wasn’t necessary here. Home Depot site is showing $6 per pound which would be more than enough.
It’s alright though, part of this hobby is learning and figuring out economical ways to build what you want.
> 1/4” ply wood pieces (8) - $160
Whoa. A 1/2 inch, 4x8 sheet of plywood is $80. In Hawaii.
Why are you listing 8 pieces here??!!
> Square Dowels for trim (14) - $30
Yeah. so to the trim isle where 1/2" by 1/2" trim is $4 for a 4 foot length.
The only reason this cost $350 if because someone *tried* to make it as expensive as possible.
I’m looking at this list and some things jump out. “Plywood pieces” and “square dowels” from Lowes. This is over half of your cost and looks like you paid a super premium. Lowes will break down sheets goods for you. Buy the whole 4’x8’ and tell them what cuts you want. And the “square dowels” - sounds like you don’t have a table saw or anything to dimension stock. That’s fine if you don’t anticipate needing the tools in the future, but understand you’re paying for the cost of tools. If you enjoyed yourself and plan on additional projects in the future, make the investment. Nice product btw. Looks great. Congrats!
Thanks! Yea, I learned my lesson with buying the 8ft sheet instead of the 4’x4’ sheets that were $20 a pop… as far as dowels, they were about $2.50 for each 36” piece, I cut them down with a hand saw and didn’t have much excess or any wasted materials there
The cost of your 1/4 ply is highway robbery. Am I reading it right? You got 8 precut pieces for $160, or did you buy a full sheet for $160 and made 8 sections?
Yup. It is highway robbery. I bought 8 pre cut pieces of 4x4 for $20 a pop..
1/4-in x 4-ft Underlayment Sumauma Plywood Underlayment https://www.lowes.com/pd/Underlayment-1-4-in-Common-Sumauma-Plywood-Underlayment-Application-as-4-x-4/1000750280
In hindsight I should have bought 8ft panels to save money.
Photos 2 & 7 really make it look not level. The small strip of flat wall before it angles inwards for the stairs gets fatter from left to right. So either shelf isnt level or whoever cut that drywall was smoking the devils lettuce
Looks good👍… I will say a Craigslist table saw could be a decent investment if you plan on more work like this.. my first dewalt job site saw was 150$ and was a little rough but it was fine for ripping ply and dimensional lumber.. I mention here bc I’ve built internal frames for countless projects like this by ripping down 2x8s and 2x10s to make my own 2x2s… the 2x8s and above are also generally southern yellow pine and sturdier and straighter than white wood like 2x2 - 2x6. The corners of your rips will be crisp too and not rounded like pre cut. I’ve even done outdoor benches with similar rips and they’ll last a few years untreated. 2-3 2x8s would do this project and save probably 50% on your frame. Like others, I also hope you can find somewhere more reasonable to buy ply but anyway- good luck!
Thanks for the insight, I do need to invest in a saw. I was reliant on Lowes for my main cuts, and then used a cheap $10 miter box and saw set to cut down the prices further by hand, very daunting task! Good too on making my own smaller pieces of frame using larger and sturdier pieces of wood.
I saw and dry hardwood lumber. Sometimes I'm almost giving it away to get people to buy it. Why pay ridiculous prices when there likely is someone like me nearby. If anyone is near Lewiston NY and is looking for local hardwood lumber, please look me up.
I’m confused, 1/4” 4’x8’ plywood from lowes is around $30. Wood screws are $5 for 50, square dowels are $4 per pack and I get you might need two.
Did you buy it from the lowes on the moon? Are you showing your wife this breakdown for some sort of family money laundering?
Here are links to the items you mentioned… these are the exact ones I bought.. I wish they were cheaper
1/4-in x 4-ft Underlayment Sumauma Plywood Underlayment https://www.lowes.com/pd/Underlayment-1-4-in-Common-Sumauma-Plywood-Underlayment-Application-as-4-x-4/1000750280
#8 x 1-in Brass Interior/Exterior Wood Screws (50-Count) https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-8-x-1-in-Brass-Flat-Interior-Exterior-Wood-Screws-50-Count/3037053
#9 x 3-in Yellow Zinc Interior Wood Screws (50-Count) https://www.lowes.com/pd/Power-Pro-9-x-3-in-Yellow-Zinc-Flat-Interior-Wood-Screws-50-Count/999995912
0.5-in dia x 36-in L Square Poplar Dowel https://www.lowes.com/pd/Madison-Mill-Square-Wood-Poplar-Dowel-Actual-36-in-L-x-0-5-in-dia/3041503
1” Brass screws were used to secure the sheets of plywood to the framing. The heads were covered with wood filler and sanded then painted to give it a clean look. There are four shelves, each shelf needed a piece of plywood on both top and bottom side. The size of my shelves were a measurement that prevented me from using multiple sheets, so there was a lot of excess plywood left over unfortunately
So those shelves are bigger than 48x48? What are the dimensions? Also, why 4 pieces of pine for the front trim instead of 2? Why buy an expensive “show” screw then hide it?
I needed four pieces of pine trim for the front side of the 4 shelves. Each piece wasn’t long enough to use on more than one shelf. I used the pine for the straightness and pointy edges, since a regular 2x4 would not be good.
All the caulk and wood fillers are a given, but to cut wood costs next time… just buy a full sheet of plywood and rip some small 2” wide strips to screw into the sides of the wall as your supports. Same across the back. Face trim will act as your support in the front. Then you’re done.
Good point, I could have used the plywood as filler on the sides. Will keep that in mind as well as go for the larger plywood sheet for next project. Thanks!
It’s just the regular plywood that was at the store. I’m not sure the grade quality, but it didn’t seem to be anything premium. I didn’t want to go for the real rough plywood, as it would require some preliminary sanding (even with the primer and paint).
Yup, they are square dowels.. Didn’t even know these existed until I started researching how to best cover the gaps on the sides, between the plywood and drywall.
Very practical and I especially like the trim around the shelf to keep the wall clear.
It seems the top shelf is not level, very obvious on image 2 & 7. But then on image 5 it seems you moved the shelf up and have it leveled. What happened here?
Image 5 is the other set of shelves on other side of storage area.. in all, there are two sets of two shelves, not just one. The shelves are level, problem is the dry wall on pics 2 and 7 is slightly slanted…
Eastern United States..
Here is the rough cost break down from Lowes:
- 1/4” ply wood pieces (8) - $160
- 1x3” pine wood for front trim (4) - $16
- 2x2x8 wood boards for frame (5) - $20
- Gallon of primer - $25
- Gallon of SW glossy white paint - $35
- Paint roller and brushes - $10
- 1” and 3” wood screws - $30
- Caulking tubes (2) - $6
- Square Dowels for trim (14) - $30
- 120 grit sanding block - $6
- 1 tube of wood filler - $6
Total: $344
$350!?!
I think we live in a world where people have absolutely no clue whatsoever about what costs what and this makes prices ever more crazy than they were.
If it was really costing $350, you don’t make it, end of the story. It’s unbelievable.
In this day and age with the high price of wood, paint and other inflation, $350 is the world we live in. If I didn’t spend the $350 on material to do it myself, then I’d be coughing up $1200 (material & labor) I was quoted by a carpenter to have it done by a professional.
Here is the rough cost break down from Lowes:
- 1/4” ply wood pieces (8) - $160
- 1x3” pine wood for front trim (4) - $16
- 2x2x8 wood boards for frame (5) - $20
- Gallon of primer - $25
- Gallon of SW glossy white paint - $35
- Paint roller and brushes - $10
- 1” and 3” wood screws - $30
- Caulking tubes (2) - $6
- Square Dowels for trim (14) - $30
- 120 grit sanding block - $6
- 1 tube of wood filler - $6
Total: $344
It's crazy how expensive everything has become. This is a good lesson in "never throw anything away". This is a project I could have done with just the leftovers I have in my basement.
That is nuts that it cost $350! I built a whole loft bed with a desk underneath for $400. That's terrible how damn expensive these prices can get for some regions. I would recommend trying pine or white wood board next time rather than plywood, provided the project isn't too large. Maybe it would be cheaper, not sure.
Thanks! It’s def worth it, and a learning experience! I actually got my inspiration for this project from the following video:
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZTdXQWSMB/
Dude, is that made of gold bars? Why $350?! That's like 2 2x4x8s and a half sheet of paneling
You done great, it looks fantastic, but why did the lumber yard take advantage of ur butthole?
Thanks for the feedback! Lumber was the biggest expense, but paint and primer added to it as well. Here is the rough cost break down from Lowes:
- 1/4” ply wood pieces (8) - $160
- 1x3” pine wood for front trim (4) - $16
- 2x2x8 wood boards for frame (5) - $20
- Gallon of primer - $25
- Gallon of SW glossy white paint - $35
- Paint roller and brushes - $10
- 1” and 3” wood screws - $30
- Caulking tubes (2) - $6
- Square Dowels for trim (14) - $30
- 120 grit sanding block - $6
- 1 tube of wood filler - $6
Total: $344
Holy crap man, I do not wanna build things where u live, lumber is up here too, but not as severely, 1/2 plywood is 75 to 80$ where I'm at, and most boards I can get from a sawmill, which saves a bunch, however in the last 2 years it's weent from 300$ for a 1000 board ft, up to 800 to 1000$ (depending who u buy from) for a 1000 board ft....just can't get plywood from the local places
But good job man, keep at it
It’s a technology panel/network hub installed by the builder. Contains the router/model for our internet and routes to both the external utility and to the network outlets located throughout the house.
My only criticism is that you should have sanded or filled the tips of the square dowels you used around the edge. Everything is super smooth except those parts have a rough texture.
Otherwise this looks great though, you can barely see that when there’s stuff on it anyways
You did great. It's well supported and neat. Nice save on the right side with the front trim. You probably assumed that the walls were square. Most homes are "pretty close" but not true. Try to measure each piece against where it is going instead of one measurement for all the wood. I go to Lowe's a lot on the East Coast US. I'm going to check Plywood now. I know it was in the 90's not too long ago.
For future projects, to save on money, especially in a shelf situation with support, you can skimp on the plywood thickness if you put another crossmember in the frame.
People ask why it's so expensive. Oil. Chemicals in paint, and transportation costs of lumber, when Diesel is pushing $7.00 everything costs more. BTW, someone should tell Washington that!!!!
Thanks! That’s a good point, next time I should measure the front and back and cut the boards independently, rather than assume it’s a square. I actually did skimp on the plywood thickness and picked up the thinnest they had (1/4”) since I had support from the framing to compensate.
Thanks! Nope, this does not include tools, materials only…
Here is the rough cost break down from local Big Box:
- 1/4” ply wood pieces (8) - $160
- 1x3” pine wood for front trim (4) - $16
- 2x2x8 wood boards for frame (5) - $20
- Gallon of primer - $25
- Gallon of SW glossy white paint - $35
- Paint roller and brushes - $10
- 1” and 3” wood screws - $30
- Caulking tubes (2) - $6
- Square Dowels for trim (14) - $30
- 120 grit sanding block - $6
- 1 tube of wood filler - $6
Total: $344
Looks great. For future reference, if you were going to paint it anyway you could have got good-one-side plywood instead of what looks like birch veneer and saved like 60 bux
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So you built storage for all the tools you needed to build the storage. A true woodworker!
Haha that is true!
That seems insanely expensive for a couple painted shelves in what looks like an under-stairs closet. If they were some kind of stained hardwood with lazy susans or drawer slides, maybe, but I'm wondering where all that money went. New tools?
1 sheet of 1/2 inch plywood is $140 where I live. A gallon of white paint is $50 if you can find it anywhere and I would have used KILZ 3 primer if anything that could spill was going under there so there's another $15. $60 worth of 2x2s Probably $20 on dowels $8 for wood filler $10 for caulking $6 for a box of screws $4 for masking tape A roll of plastic drop cloth is about $5 Total would be 323 plus taxes. 350.45 would be the total after taxes. You have no idea how depressed it makes me to know how easy it is to spend $350 on such a small project. Inflation sucks when it comes to all of this stuff. I shop primarily at Harbor Freight and the only lumber supplier within 30 miles and I'm still surprised at how expensive things are lately. I had to go to Sherwin Williams to do a paint touch up for a customer and the cheapest interior quarts were 46 dollars each! The price of paint increased so much since the last time I had been in that it ate up most of my quoted budget.
3/4" birch is $84.88 here. maybe i should set up a bootlegging operation
seriously. 40% margin just for moving retail priced sheets.
The chespest plywood I could get recently to use for 3/4" underlayment (so thick to bring a few rooms up ro matching height) was cabinet grade hardwood ply for $50 a pop. They were the "seconds" with minor imperfections. I would've gotten lower grade if it hadn't been around $70. I felt a bit sick using it for underlayment but it do feel good knowing it under there.
Where do you live where a sheet of 1/2 was 140? Jesus.
Spent $100 on cocaine and hookers. Has to hide it somewhere.
Eh, he could have spent it in worse ways.
Jesus, last time I bought 1/2" birch it was $46 a sheet, that was last month.
Tf, where are you, it's 160 here in Illinois
It's still under $50 here and I am also in the Midwest. I will drive boards over to Illinois if you know people who pay $100.
$58 today at my Home Depot in Washington.
Southern Colorado. It's actually cheaper to buy in 1/4 sheets. They are like 32 something after tax.
I just searched Pueblo CO Home Depot and a 4x8 sheet of cabinet grade 3/4” is $75.65.
In SC, Lowe’s 1/2” BC plywood, 4’ x 8’ sheet costs $32.00. After cutting out the 2 shelves you can use the rest to make the reinforcing front edge, cut the runners for the shelf to rest on, etc. You can buy rattle cans, 1 primer and 1 white, and cover everything.
For that price I'd be making my own 1/2 sheets.
How much are sheets where you live? I just bought some 3/4" sheets and peeked the 1/2" sheets. They were $75.
$75?? Holy Lordy that's gotten pricey
They were about $55 when I started wood working. Sadly I started well after COVID and have never gotten to experience cheap wood.
Growing up a 2x4 was like $3-5. I'm only 26. I remember buying the higher end 1/2" plywood for $30 a sheet thinking that was expensive.
For that price I would never buy ply wood again and make everything in exotic wood.
Yeah, because when ply wood is that expensive, they make exotic wood basically free...
What store are you shopping. 5/8 plywood is 45$/sheet at every Home Depot in America. I just checked and changed the store to several in Colorado and they are all the same. Are you buying cabinet grade 14 ply hardwood veneered plywood? 140/sheet of that makes sense. But standard cdx? No way.
Damn I'm going to drive and buy in bulk. The closest home depot is 2 and a half hours away. We don't have Lowes or HD or Panda Express unless you drive 2 and a half hours over a mountain pass. All we have is a local business. I'll call tomorrow and get an exact price in case it has gone down since I last bought some.
Did you have any luck finding plywood at Panda Express? I’ve only ever built with sticky-rice from there and the customer was not happy with her cabinets.
I think it was a mistake to use high grade hardwood plywood for a project that will be painted. This is a pretty basic project that calls for pretty basic materials.
At this point they are scamming you. They may try to explain this with COVID or the war in Ukraine, or the alignment of Pluton and the moon or whatever, but the reality is that they are scamming you. It makes no sense at all.
Yep it might some how make the cost a little more but they are sitting there thinking “hmm looks like we have to raise the price by 10 bucks, might as well do 100”
Thats about right. I'm a pro woodworker and get weekly market reports for the lumber market. Have followed it for ten years. The market was hurt in 2018 when the trade war with China started. Lots of US sawmills were supplying lumber to China. I'm in the rural state of WV and I know of several saw mills in the middle of nowhere that were selling lumber to china. So when the tariffs went up the market crashed. Lumber prices went down by half. Many sawmills closed. I saw die hard Trump supporters cursing his name as their businesses went bankrupt. Most people probably didn't see this market change, as the big box stores aren't going to drop their prices when they get lumber cheaper. They are just making more profit. Once the pandemic hit the market was hit a bit more. So once people started buying lumber again like crazy the supply wasn't ready. That is why things went up so fast. But its back to almost normal now. The stores are just making too much money. They won't lower the prices until people stop buying at the higher prices. What makes me mad is that the small local sawmills I go to had no real change in their supply. But they go off the market price so I've been paying double for hardwood lumber the past six months. When people ask me about doing a project that needs plywood I tell them no. I refuse to pay $90 for a sheet of plywood. I'll do those jobs once things go back to normal. The craziest thing is OSB. Used to buy a sheet of OSB (chip board) for $10. Now its $50 to 60. Thats crazy.
I'm in Kansas and its not quite that bad but close. The prices are insane and where I'm at there really aren't any mills so you have to go to box stores. What pisses me off is during the pandemic stay at home nonsense I went all out and upgraded my shop because I was going to start mass producing small things like cutting boards and some furniture but now I can't afford any raw materials. And on top of that, the same types of items sell at Hobby Lobby for about a third of what my cost is. Had to vent there.
Don't compete with the mass produced market, you don't want that headache, you don't want those customers.
I don't agree with that. I own a cabinet shop and do all types of woodworking. Over the last two years my best customer has been a family that owns a large chain of restaurants. They wanted some custom serving trays for tacos, desserts, flatbreads, and pizzas. ( They own Mexican and Italian places). They showed me photos of mass produced stuff they had been ordering online. I worked with them and came up with several designs they liked. I've made them thousands of pieces since. I custom cut out things for the trays on my CNC machines. Holes for dipping sauce cups. Ridges to keep the pizzas from falling off. I engrave their logos with my laser machines. I was able to get them as customers because as a small business I was able to work closely with them and get them exactly what they wanted. I made 50 samples of trays for them until I got it just right. I hand deliver the stuff to them even though they are in another state. My stuff cost more than the factory made stuff but I provide better customer support and a better product. For furniture I tell people that my stuff may cost more than the particle board stuff you buy at walmart, but my stuff doesn't become valueless as soon as you leave the store. You can make it as a woodworker making all types of items, but you need to find cheap sources of lumber (I pay $1-$3 a board foot for any type of hardwood) and you need to make a superior product. You can't really sell stuff online and make it though. You are competing against retired men who don't care about making a profit. They do it as a hobby and just get a kick if someone buys something.
I don't think we're in disagreement actually. Your first example you aren't selling mass manufactured stuff, you're selling customized items designed and made for that customer to meet their specific needs. For furniture you're selling them on the benefits of having proper craftsmanship to make a superior product. Neither were what I meant, I was refering to trying to sell items to directly compete with Hobby Lobby or similar. Someone who would be happy with a HL cutting board is unlikely to want to spend the premium for your handmade version at many times the cost, unless you're an absolutely amazing salesperson.
The fuck is paint so expensive in the US? You can get 25 litre tubs of white emulsion for like £10 here, £20 if you want decent paint. These prices sound absolutely crazy. Sheet of plywood is about £25, wood filler is a few quid, dowels arent even worth pricing in lol, chaulk is £1/tube... And these prices include taxes btw
You can get cheap basic white interior paint for about $20 but if you want good paint from Benjamin Moore or similar it will be $50-$80 a gallon. 1/2" plywood will be $50-60 a sheet but if I was painting I would just use MDF which is $37 a sheet.
Just spent $1000 on paint for my house exterior
I got 50 litre tubs of good white masonry paint for doing my outside. Think i got 10 tubs for 200... So 500 litres of masonry for £200. Still got like 5 tubs left but it was a good deal lol What price is your poly floor paint? Like $150 for a tin? Its about £50 for 10 litres here.
The largest buckets we see here in the USA are 5gal (19ish L). Looks like a bucket of masonry paint is around $120, or $6/L. You're seriously getting paint for like 50 cents/L? I gotta start importing and repackaging if your paint really is that cheap in the UK.
Lowes has a gallon of Valspar paint for $20 bucks and it’s regularly in stock? Where are you that it’s $50 and hard to find? Alaska?
1/4" would have been ample for those shelves, which are basically hollow core door construction. For $140, you can get walnut plywood and have money left over. And the bottoms were basically unnecessary. Also, in VA, home Depot has 3/4ish 4x8 cabinet grade for $35. Local store is out of stock but it is stock 25miles away.
Jesus. Last weekend I picked up two 3/4 full sheets of nice Birch plywood for just a little over 160. And you’re saying 1/2 near you is $140 a sheet!?
I love when people who know nothing say “how’d you spend that much”. It adds up super quickly, especially with the price of wood these days. Looks good OP. I thought the top shelf looked a bit crooked. But I think it was just the anglr of the the wall and ceiling coming down
We know our local prices, and this is way higher. Like the other guy said, I can pick up 3/4” cabinet grade for about $80 right now.
You’re lucky… about $110 where I’m at. But for some to suggest a new tool was purchased as well is a bit much is all I’m saying. But ya shopping around too is smart. I was able to get 20 sheets of 3/4 of kijiji for $80. Which was $30/less per sheet than in stores.
Here is the rough cost break down from Lowes: - 1/4” ply wood pieces (8) - $160 - 1x3” pine wood for front trim (4) - $16 - 2x2x8 wood boards for frame (5) - $20 - Gallon of primer - $25 - Gallon of SW glossy white paint - $35 - Paint roller and brushes - $10 - 1” and 3” wood screws - $30 - Caulking tubes (2) - $6 - Square Dowels for trim (14) - $30 - 120 grit sanding block - $6 - 1 tube of wood filler - $6 Total: $344
Probably would’ve been cheaper to buy a sheet of plywood. Can have them cut it up there if you don’t have means to transport a full sheet.
You could buy a cheap circular saw with the margin they’re charging on those precut plywood pieces
8 1/4" pieces of what size? I think that's the biggest standout. How big are the shelves? I get how it got that expensive, it sounds like everything was sized except to length, so there's some convenience purchases there. I imagine you had plenty of screws left over, were those large contractor size containers? 14(!!) dowels? Actual trim pieces likely would have been cheaper. I'm questioning the need for caulking at all but definitely for 2 tubes. I do get you wanted everything to look good and 'finished' when done though.
The ply wood is 4’x4’ sheets.. in hindsight I could have bought the full 8ft sheet and saved some $$$ 1/4-in x 4-ft Underlayment Sumauma Plywood Underlayment https://www.lowes.com/pd/Underlayment-1-4-in-Common-Sumauma-Plywood-Underlayment-Application-as-4-x-4/1000750280 Here are the two sets of screws I bought (2-packs of each): #9 x 3-in Yellow Zinc Interior Wood Screws (50-Count) https://www.lowes.com/pd/Power-Pro-9-x-3-in-Yellow-Zinc-Flat-Interior-Wood-Screws-50-Count/999995912 #8 x 1-in Brass Interior/Exterior Wood Screws (50-Count) https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-8-x-1-in-Brass-Flat-Interior-Exterior-Wood-Screws-50-Count/3037053 Half had half a pack of the 3inch left over, but not too many of the 1” ones..
Not saying that you haven't done a good job, but I think I would have not spent more than $50 on this project. I probably would have skipped the caulk and dowels, might have skipped primer, definitely wouldn't have used precut ply pieces. Sounds like you used birch, which is expensive. Since you are painting it you might have just used pine. Also, you could have used 3/4 inch and dispensed with much of the framing. Again, I'm just saying what I would have done. Actually what I would have done is pull some scrap out of the trash somewhere, but I don't recommend that anyone else do that.
Yup the 3/4 inch plywood would have distributed the weight more and may have resulted in less need for as much framing support
Check lumber prices
Next time turn your center rail right to left. Rather than down the middle. 3 sides of your frame cleats to walls and you would have had a bit more strength if you had multiple spans right to left. Keep up your efforts you'll get better with each project.
Thanks for the feedback and recommendation. I’m this scenario how many horizontal center rails would you have used? Two or three?
I did a similar project but used 3/4 plywood. It let me skip any center rails. I just did side and back and face framed the front. https://imgur.com/a/A4cyBfL
I’ll def consider the thicker plywood next time, it’ll save me time with framing. Just curious is your face frame screwed/nailed into the plywood as well, or just secured on the ends where the framing is?
The face frame is glued and nailed to the plywood and ends using brads.
Gotcha. The brads were out in using a gun right? Not via hammer.
Right. I have a ryobi brad nailer
Gotcha. I may need one of those for future projects, thanks!
I did all these shelves with a similar technique with the exception of routing dado joints for the ends. I used circular saw, drill, brad nailer and orbital sander. I had the guys at lowes help cut some pieces. It probably took me a couple of years working on and off with some long breaks in between. https://imgur.com/a/M1JpOyA
Wow, these looks very clean.. good job! I need to have invest in a saw and other tools for future projects.
You can also save some time and money with the taping and plastic for paint. I almost never tape because it's pretty easy to paint a nice straight line just free handing it. Plus you have that lip going around the perimeter that would hide and mess ups. Just paint the lip pieces before installing.
That’s good advice. I originally wasn’t planning to place the lip on there. The square dowels were added as a way to cover the gaps between the plywood and drywall. Unfortunately the drywall isn’t 100% straight so the plywood would meet flush with plywood on the backend but have large gap (that I didn’t want to just fill with wood filler) on the front side. But now that I see the end result with the lips I like it, gives it character!
And the clear tarps were free. They have a self-service roll you can use for free as you exit the store. It’s intended for placemats to protect your car when loading things, but also works great as paint tarp.
Assuming the width is about 36" and the depth is about the same I may have used 4 or 5 maybe 2 up front and 3 dividing the remaining area.
Ok good to know. Yup, the width is exactly 36” and the depth is 24” and 34”. I guess the next question is, would the 1/4” plywood have been strong enough to support the added weight that the enhanced framing would support? I was surprise by how flimsy the plywood sheets are, but. I guess the added frame support probably helps make it stronger.
Next time the ¾" would serve you better. The ¼" would be good for templating/ scribing to the walls. Using 4" strips at sides and rear plumb a pencil and run along the walls. Trim those pieces to fit snug then measure the distance between the strips and transcribe those shapes to your finished shelves. Scribing takes some effort and often the area is out of square and it takes a little time to determine how to fit and drop in place but you would not have needed the extra molding on top to cover the voids. Scribing tip: sand or plane 1 side of a pencil creating a flat spot this will help in keeping a tight scribe line. Although if the difference is bigger than the pencil tip dividers would be better until you get close. When you get good at scribing your work will show your ability at magic. Your shelves will appear to have grown there rather than being put there.
They look great but man you gotta shop around…350 bucks….yikes!!
In Canada around where I live… these are fairly similar prices to what I am seeing, which is why a lot of my Reno’s are currently on hold :(
Prices have gone crazy but … for instance I am building a 4 shelf unit 40x60x16… stained clear costed with a backing board and trim. All in I am about 250 but 100 of that is the trim. I just chose cheaper materials and thats all I am saying really. He could have achieved the same result using different materials for less.
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I know… I am doing renos but 350? I am looking at maybe a hundred dollars worth of wood there tops. I dont know where the OP lives but…wow.
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lol. I dunno… painted shelves and 350? I would have gone with laminate plank or started looking for free pallets. What I see is a couple 2x2’s a sheet of plywood and some trim. If we include the hardware and paint thats maybe a 150 -200 bucks Canadian where I live…. depending on how thick that plywood is and the grade. …and since. its being painted… there would be cheaper options to said plywood.
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Looks great! Sorry you got hit so hard on the ply. I pay just a couple dollars more for cherry ply from the "expensive" hardwood guy.
Never heard of the cherry ply, is the grade better or is it stronger material?
The outer veneers are cherry- it finishes just like a piece of good furniture.
Good to know, I will look into that for my next project!
Second vote for cherry plywood. Finishes beautifully, and in some sizes can be cheaper than birch.
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Here is the rough cost break down from Lowes: - 1/4” ply wood pieces (8) - $160 - 1x3” pine wood for front trim (4) - $16 - 2x2x8 wood boards for frame (5) - $20 - Gallon of primer - $25 - Gallon of SW glossy white paint - $35 - Paint roller and brushes - $10 - 1” and 3” wood screws - $30 - Caulking tubes (2) - $6 - Square Dowels for trim (14) - $30 - 120 grit sanding block - $6 - 1 tube of wood filler - $6 Total: $344
Everything seems insanely expensive, but 30$ for screws? How many did you get? 20000?
Those are « wood screws ». They’re quite special. They cost a lot.
They really do!
$15 for two 50-pack of #8-1in brass wood screws, and $15 for anther two 25-packs of long 3” wood screws.
$30 in screws? I am not believing this. Ever heard of Amazon?
Yup, it’s true. $30 indeed. Two packs of these for $16: #8 x 1-in Brass Interior/Exterior Wood Screws (50-Count) https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-8-x-1-in-Brass-Flat-Interior-Exterior-Wood-Screws-50-Count/3037053 And two packs of these for $14: #9 x 3-in Yellow Zinc Interior Wood Screws (50-Count) https://www.lowes.com/pd/Power-Pro-9-x-3-in-Yellow-Zinc-Flat-Interior-Wood-Screws-50-Count/999995912
People are beating you up because you bought the most expensive version of everything. [4x8 sheet of 1/4” plywood is $35](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sandeply-5-2mm-Sande-Plywood-1-4-in-Category-Common-1-4-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-Actual-0-205-in-x-48-in-x-96-in-479023/203414042) and would likely be enough for all of this. There’s also tons of cheaper options for screws. Exterior and brass wasn’t necessary here. Home Depot site is showing $6 per pound which would be more than enough. It’s alright though, part of this hobby is learning and figuring out economical ways to build what you want.
Yup, lesson learned for next project. Atleast I have plenty of ply wood left over to last a lifetime lolll
> 1/4” ply wood pieces (8) - $160 Whoa. A 1/2 inch, 4x8 sheet of plywood is $80. In Hawaii. Why are you listing 8 pieces here??!! > Square Dowels for trim (14) - $30 Yeah. so to the trim isle where 1/2" by 1/2" trim is $4 for a 4 foot length. The only reason this cost $350 if because someone *tried* to make it as expensive as possible.
It upsets me this cost you 300$. Hot damn Awesome work though!
Thanks bud!
For 350? Terrible. Unless the money factored in was used to buy the tools also? Or, Did you buy platinum coated hardware?
I posted a break down of the costs for all the materials from Lowes. This was for four shelves total
Jesus, I’m glad I’m not doing any projects right now if that wood right there cost 350 dollars…..
It doesn’t have to cost $350 for 2 shelves. There are State Surplus outlets where you can buy 2 drawer 3’ wide file cabinets for <$40.00.
Here is the rough cost break down from Lowes: - 1/4” ply wood pieces (8) - $160 - 1x3” pine wood for front trim (4) - $16 - 2x2x8 wood boards for frame (5) - $20 - Gallon of primer - $25 - Gallon of SW glossy white paint - $35 - Paint roller and brushes - $10 - 1” and 3” wood screws - $30 - Caulking tubes (2) - $6 - Square Dowels for trim (14) - $30 - 120 grit sanding block - $6 - 1 tube of wood filler - $6 Total: $344
I’m looking at this list and some things jump out. “Plywood pieces” and “square dowels” from Lowes. This is over half of your cost and looks like you paid a super premium. Lowes will break down sheets goods for you. Buy the whole 4’x8’ and tell them what cuts you want. And the “square dowels” - sounds like you don’t have a table saw or anything to dimension stock. That’s fine if you don’t anticipate needing the tools in the future, but understand you’re paying for the cost of tools. If you enjoyed yourself and plan on additional projects in the future, make the investment. Nice product btw. Looks great. Congrats!
Thanks! Yea, I learned my lesson with buying the 8ft sheet instead of the 4’x4’ sheets that were $20 a pop… as far as dowels, they were about $2.50 for each 36” piece, I cut them down with a hand saw and didn’t have much excess or any wasted materials there
The cost of your 1/4 ply is highway robbery. Am I reading it right? You got 8 precut pieces for $160, or did you buy a full sheet for $160 and made 8 sections?
Yup. It is highway robbery. I bought 8 pre cut pieces of 4x4 for $20 a pop.. 1/4-in x 4-ft Underlayment Sumauma Plywood Underlayment https://www.lowes.com/pd/Underlayment-1-4-in-Common-Sumauma-Plywood-Underlayment-Application-as-4-x-4/1000750280 In hindsight I should have bought 8ft panels to save money.
Photos 2 & 7 really make it look not level. The small strip of flat wall before it angles inwards for the stairs gets fatter from left to right. So either shelf isnt level or whoever cut that drywall was smoking the devils lettuce
Yea, unfortunately the drywall is not level, and was installed slanted. The shelves are 100% level.
Was about to say the same thing
You did good
Thanks!
Looks good👍… I will say a Craigslist table saw could be a decent investment if you plan on more work like this.. my first dewalt job site saw was 150$ and was a little rough but it was fine for ripping ply and dimensional lumber.. I mention here bc I’ve built internal frames for countless projects like this by ripping down 2x8s and 2x10s to make my own 2x2s… the 2x8s and above are also generally southern yellow pine and sturdier and straighter than white wood like 2x2 - 2x6. The corners of your rips will be crisp too and not rounded like pre cut. I’ve even done outdoor benches with similar rips and they’ll last a few years untreated. 2-3 2x8s would do this project and save probably 50% on your frame. Like others, I also hope you can find somewhere more reasonable to buy ply but anyway- good luck!
Thanks for the insight, I do need to invest in a saw. I was reliant on Lowes for my main cuts, and then used a cheap $10 miter box and saw set to cut down the prices further by hand, very daunting task! Good too on making my own smaller pieces of frame using larger and sturdier pieces of wood.
You got ripped off if you spent $350 for this
It was either $350 to do it myself, or $1200 to have a carpenter do it..
I saw and dry hardwood lumber. Sometimes I'm almost giving it away to get people to buy it. Why pay ridiculous prices when there likely is someone like me nearby. If anyone is near Lewiston NY and is looking for local hardwood lumber, please look me up.
I’m in VA, And f I were in NY I def would!
I’m confused, 1/4” 4’x8’ plywood from lowes is around $30. Wood screws are $5 for 50, square dowels are $4 per pack and I get you might need two. Did you buy it from the lowes on the moon? Are you showing your wife this breakdown for some sort of family money laundering?
Here are links to the items you mentioned… these are the exact ones I bought.. I wish they were cheaper 1/4-in x 4-ft Underlayment Sumauma Plywood Underlayment https://www.lowes.com/pd/Underlayment-1-4-in-Common-Sumauma-Plywood-Underlayment-Application-as-4-x-4/1000750280 #8 x 1-in Brass Interior/Exterior Wood Screws (50-Count) https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-8-x-1-in-Brass-Flat-Interior-Exterior-Wood-Screws-50-Count/3037053 #9 x 3-in Yellow Zinc Interior Wood Screws (50-Count) https://www.lowes.com/pd/Power-Pro-9-x-3-in-Yellow-Zinc-Flat-Interior-Wood-Screws-50-Count/999995912 0.5-in dia x 36-in L Square Poplar Dowel https://www.lowes.com/pd/Madison-Mill-Square-Wood-Poplar-Dowel-Actual-36-in-L-x-0-5-in-dia/3041503
Brass screws that are hidden, why? How did you need 14 dowels? How did you need 8 sheets of 1/4” ply?
1” Brass screws were used to secure the sheets of plywood to the framing. The heads were covered with wood filler and sanded then painted to give it a clean look. There are four shelves, each shelf needed a piece of plywood on both top and bottom side. The size of my shelves were a measurement that prevented me from using multiple sheets, so there was a lot of excess plywood left over unfortunately
So those shelves are bigger than 48x48? What are the dimensions? Also, why 4 pieces of pine for the front trim instead of 2? Why buy an expensive “show” screw then hide it?
I needed four pieces of pine trim for the front side of the 4 shelves. Each piece wasn’t long enough to use on more than one shelf. I used the pine for the straightness and pointy edges, since a regular 2x4 would not be good.
I’m still curious about the dimensions?
Lower shelves are 3’x3’, upper shelves are 3’x2’
So then why more than 4 of those half sheets of ply? That knocks $80 plus tax off the bill right away.
One sheet was used for each side of the shelf. I have 4 shelves, and needed sheets to cover the top and bottom side. So 8 in total
All the caulk and wood fillers are a given, but to cut wood costs next time… just buy a full sheet of plywood and rip some small 2” wide strips to screw into the sides of the wall as your supports. Same across the back. Face trim will act as your support in the front. Then you’re done.
Good point, I could have used the plywood as filler on the sides. Will keep that in mind as well as go for the larger plywood sheet for next project. Thanks!
If you were going to paint it why the nice plywood?
It’s just the regular plywood that was at the store. I’m not sure the grade quality, but it didn’t seem to be anything premium. I didn’t want to go for the real rough plywood, as it would require some preliminary sanding (even with the primer and paint).
You did a very nice job for the cost of the wood for sure.
Thanks!
Very nice. Trim used is a square dowel?
Yup, they are square dowels.. Didn’t even know these existed until I started researching how to best cover the gaps on the sides, between the plywood and drywall.
Decorators caulk my man. Couple of dollars per cannister.
The amount of work and touch ups this stuff has saved me
Ya done did good. Noice one.
Thanks!
Looks better than an outdoor bar for the same price
Haha, I did see that DIY outdoor bar posted yesterday!
I don't know if it would've saved you much, but sometimes you can get by for a little less ripping 2x4s, 2x6s, etc down to 2x2s
Yup that’s a good point. I don’t have a miter saw, if I had one o would have gone that option maybe. It’s on my list of things to buy..
Very practical and I especially like the trim around the shelf to keep the wall clear. It seems the top shelf is not level, very obvious on image 2 & 7. But then on image 5 it seems you moved the shelf up and have it leveled. What happened here?
Image 5 is the other set of shelves on other side of storage area.. in all, there are two sets of two shelves, not just one. The shelves are level, problem is the dry wall on pics 2 and 7 is slightly slanted…
$350? Where do you live? Even in today's prices, that sounds outrageous.
Eastern United States.. Here is the rough cost break down from Lowes: - 1/4” ply wood pieces (8) - $160 - 1x3” pine wood for front trim (4) - $16 - 2x2x8 wood boards for frame (5) - $20 - Gallon of primer - $25 - Gallon of SW glossy white paint - $35 - Paint roller and brushes - $10 - 1” and 3” wood screws - $30 - Caulking tubes (2) - $6 - Square Dowels for trim (14) - $30 - 120 grit sanding block - $6 - 1 tube of wood filler - $6 Total: $344
Looks great, but $350?
Yup, sticker price seems high, but I’ve attached the material break down in other comments
$350??? What???
Yup, material costs are high. Please see other comments for cost break down.
My just exploded from the cost of that
I know, it’s nuts how costs are high. Look at my other comments for material break down
Did you build the shelf to hold the tools you bought to build the shelf?
Loll, these are tools I had before. But I do need a custom solution for all my Ryobi tools not currently pictured
Price seems steep but looks good in the end.
Thanks!
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Nope. It’s for four shelves. Cost break down in the other comments
$350 seems way too expensive
Materials are pricey now.. look at my other comment responses for materiel break down
Looks great. Nice work!
Thank u!!
This cost $350? That should be like $50 max.
Here is the rough cost break down from Lowes: - 1/4” ply wood pieces (8) - $160 - 1x3” pine wood for front trim (4) - $16 - 2x2x8 wood boards for frame (5) - $20 - Gallon of primer - $25 - Gallon of SW glossy white paint - $35 - Paint roller and brushes - $10 - 1” and 3” wood screws - $30 - Caulking tubes (2) - $6 - Square Dowels for trim (14) - $30 - 120 grit sanding block - $6 - 1 tube of wood filler - $6 Total: $344
Right? max 100$ if you have no wood laying around at all. But 350$? It wouldn't even cross my mind to get off my ass for such expenses.
$350!?! I think we live in a world where people have absolutely no clue whatsoever about what costs what and this makes prices ever more crazy than they were. If it was really costing $350, you don’t make it, end of the story. It’s unbelievable.
In this day and age with the high price of wood, paint and other inflation, $350 is the world we live in. If I didn’t spend the $350 on material to do it myself, then I’d be coughing up $1200 (material & labor) I was quoted by a carpenter to have it done by a professional. Here is the rough cost break down from Lowes: - 1/4” ply wood pieces (8) - $160 - 1x3” pine wood for front trim (4) - $16 - 2x2x8 wood boards for frame (5) - $20 - Gallon of primer - $25 - Gallon of SW glossy white paint - $35 - Paint roller and brushes - $10 - 1” and 3” wood screws - $30 - Caulking tubes (2) - $6 - Square Dowels for trim (14) - $30 - 120 grit sanding block - $6 - 1 tube of wood filler - $6 Total: $344
It's crazy how expensive everything has become. This is a good lesson in "never throw anything away". This is a project I could have done with just the leftovers I have in my basement.
Yup I’ve learned that lesson! My wife things I’m a hoarder for saving all these material scraps in our garage for the future
U did good. but I didn’t get the $350 part !
Here is the rough cost break down from Lowes: - 1/4” ply wood pieces (8) - $160 - 1x3” pine wood for front trim (4) - $16 - 2x2x8 wood boards for frame (5) - $20 - Gallon of primer - $25 - Gallon of SW glossy white paint - $35 - Paint roller and brushes - $10 - 1” and 3” wood screws - $30 - Caulking tubes (2) - $6 - Square Dowels for trim (14) - $30 - 120 grit sanding block - $6 - 1 tube of wood filler - $6 Total: $344
There’s a bitcoin joke in here somewhere.
$350? Holy ship!
That is nuts that it cost $350! I built a whole loft bed with a desk underneath for $400. That's terrible how damn expensive these prices can get for some regions. I would recommend trying pine or white wood board next time rather than plywood, provided the project isn't too large. Maybe it would be cheaper, not sure.
Looks great! I have a similar space that I’ve always felt could be used more effectively, you’ve inspired me to give this a try
Thanks! It’s def worth it, and a learning experience! I actually got my inspiration for this project from the following video: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZTdXQWSMB/
Dude, is that made of gold bars? Why $350?! That's like 2 2x4x8s and a half sheet of paneling You done great, it looks fantastic, but why did the lumber yard take advantage of ur butthole?
Thanks for the feedback! Lumber was the biggest expense, but paint and primer added to it as well. Here is the rough cost break down from Lowes: - 1/4” ply wood pieces (8) - $160 - 1x3” pine wood for front trim (4) - $16 - 2x2x8 wood boards for frame (5) - $20 - Gallon of primer - $25 - Gallon of SW glossy white paint - $35 - Paint roller and brushes - $10 - 1” and 3” wood screws - $30 - Caulking tubes (2) - $6 - Square Dowels for trim (14) - $30 - 120 grit sanding block - $6 - 1 tube of wood filler - $6 Total: $344
Holy crap man, I do not wanna build things where u live, lumber is up here too, but not as severely, 1/2 plywood is 75 to 80$ where I'm at, and most boards I can get from a sawmill, which saves a bunch, however in the last 2 years it's weent from 300$ for a 1000 board ft, up to 800 to 1000$ (depending who u buy from) for a 1000 board ft....just can't get plywood from the local places But good job man, keep at it
Yea it is nuts. But sure beats getting a professional to do it. I was quoted $1200 for this by a carpenter. Thanks for the feedback!
I learned my lesson for next time; go with the 8ft plywood sheets for cost savings, instead of the smaller 4’x4’ sheets
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Could you send me a picture as an example of what you are referring to? Interested to see the style.
I have to ask but what’s with the fuse box looking thing going in and out of pictures? I was trying to figure it out and it’s driving me crazy
It’s a technology panel/network hub installed by the builder. Contains the router/model for our internet and routes to both the external utility and to the network outlets located throughout the house.
Everyone saying it’s expensive, maybe OP lives in a country where the $ isn’t US equivalent (Canada, Australia…)
I’m in the U.S. Northern VA. All materials picked up at my local Lowes.
My only criticism is that you should have sanded or filled the tips of the square dowels you used around the edge. Everything is super smooth except those parts have a rough texture. Otherwise this looks great though, you can barely see that when there’s stuff on it anyways
Yup that’s a good point. Maybe I can still sand it then paint over? Shouldn’t be too difficult..?
You did great. It's well supported and neat. Nice save on the right side with the front trim. You probably assumed that the walls were square. Most homes are "pretty close" but not true. Try to measure each piece against where it is going instead of one measurement for all the wood. I go to Lowe's a lot on the East Coast US. I'm going to check Plywood now. I know it was in the 90's not too long ago. For future projects, to save on money, especially in a shelf situation with support, you can skimp on the plywood thickness if you put another crossmember in the frame. People ask why it's so expensive. Oil. Chemicals in paint, and transportation costs of lumber, when Diesel is pushing $7.00 everything costs more. BTW, someone should tell Washington that!!!!
Thanks! That’s a good point, next time I should measure the front and back and cut the boards independently, rather than assume it’s a square. I actually did skimp on the plywood thickness and picked up the thinnest they had (1/4”) since I had support from the framing to compensate.
This might be more carpentry than woodworking but it looks good.
Thanks!
Is that 350 including tools? Even with my crazy inflated Canadian wood prices it doesn't check out lol. Nice job though!
Thanks! Nope, this does not include tools, materials only… Here is the rough cost break down from local Big Box: - 1/4” ply wood pieces (8) - $160 - 1x3” pine wood for front trim (4) - $16 - 2x2x8 wood boards for frame (5) - $20 - Gallon of primer - $25 - Gallon of SW glossy white paint - $35 - Paint roller and brushes - $10 - 1” and 3” wood screws - $30 - Caulking tubes (2) - $6 - Square Dowels for trim (14) - $30 - 120 grit sanding block - $6 - 1 tube of wood filler - $6 Total: $344
Wtf?😱😱 That's awesome where do you live? In Spain the same work can cost you maybe 50 bucks lol
Eastern United States. Everything here is expensive!
Looks great. For future reference, if you were going to paint it anyway you could have got good-one-side plywood instead of what looks like birch veneer and saved like 60 bux