To keep your magazines in good order and yet have them easily available when you sit down in a comfortable chair to read, has always been a problem.

The rack shown here is very simple to make, is attractive and handy to use. Make the two end pieces and the partitions about 14" wide and 18" high. The bottom should be 14" wide and about 22" long. Any good workable wood will be suitable for the construction of this project.

Method Of Procedure

Step No. 1: Cut out all pieces from 3/4" thick wood and of sizes given, The kind of wood will depend upon where you intend placing this rack and also the amount of money you wish to spend for material.

Step No. 2: Thoroughly sandpaper all surfaces smooth and flat. Use a No. 1/2 sandpaper first, then follow this with No. 00 sandpaper. To insure flat surfaces free from waves and irregularities, fold the sandpaper over a scrap block of wood while sandpapering. The final sandpapering should be done when the project has been assembled, and do this by holding the sandpaper in the palm of the hand. Slightly round all sharp corners.

Step No. 3: Fasten the two partitions to the bottom with glue and three 2" screws, about No. 12 thickness. Then glue and screw the two end pieces in place in like manner. Be sure that both sides set firmly on the floor as you assemble the job and that all joints are square and true. Before applying the finish, carefully clean off all sawdust with a soft brush.

Step No. 4: Stain this project to imitate walnut or mahogany as you prefer; when dry, apply at least three thin coats of white shellac (thin with alcohol). Gently rub down each coat when dry with No. 00 sandpaper or steel wool.

A very unusual and interesting way to finish this model would be to first apply a thin coat of white shellac to the entire job; then cut out the covers from discarded magazines and paste them to the two end pieces of the rack. Allow at least five hours to dry and apply two coats of white shellac. The first coat to be a thin coat. Allow time for drying between coats. The cut covers from magazines should be cut to overlap, showing only parts of each cover. The rest of the rack can then be painted a pleasing neutral color.

Perhaps a different finish than that given above would be more to your liking. You can simply paint the entire model inside and outside. It will be more attractive to paint the interior and the exterior different colors. A very striking effect can be obtained by painting the inside a bright red and using black for the entire outside. Enamel should be used for the last coat.