Regardless of how many book cases or book shelves you may have around the house, there is always need and room for a set of "Book Ends," which will hold your choice books.

You will find this project simple to make and it requires only a small amount of wood, since the sizes are such that often an old box you have about the house will do very well. Or better still, you may have some choice material from a discarded piece of furniture.

Method Of Procedure

Step No. 1: Cut out two pieces of wood thick, 7" wide and 8" long; these pieces will be for the uprights. Then cut two pieces 1/4" thick, 7" wide and 5" long for the bottom.

Step No. 2: Shape the upright pieces to conform with the design shown.

Step No. 3: Glue and nail the bottom pieces to the upright pieces.

Step No. 4: Thoroughly sandpaper all surfaces smooth and free from imperfections. First start with No. 1/2 sandpaper and then use No. 0. Fold the sandpaper over a scrap block of wood while sandpapering to insure flat surfaces. Then the final sandpapering should be done by holding the sandpaper in the palm of your hands. Clean off all sawdust with a soft brush before applying the finish.

Step No. 5: Stain to imitate mahogany or walnut; allow eight hours for the stain to dry and follow this with three thin coats of white shellac, rubbing down each coat gently with No. 00 sandpaper or steel wool. The last coat will be improved if rubbed down with fine pumice stone powder and crude oil. Thin the shellac with alcohol.

Step No. 6: Glue a piece of felt to the bottom, so as to avoid scratching the table when sliding these book ends back and forth. Another attractive way to finish this project is to apply a light color of flat paint, at least two coats and then apply a transfer design to the outside surfaces or paint on an original design.

If you prefer, you can add carving or a few lines of inlay to these book ends in place of the finish explained, or if you are interested in metal work, an etched copper design can be added to this model and thereby greatly enhance its beauty.