Window Shelves

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   When we took our first trip we found ourselves stowing small items on top of window valances. Obviously a shelf belongs there! Besides, not much holding those things up. In my 178 it's just three #8 wood screws angled in - two on one side and one on the other. Feels surprisingly strong for such minimal attachment.
I (we) don't like exposed (attachment) hardware. I also think Frank Lloyd Wright was a crazy old coot with an amazing talent for designing and building things that lots of folks said wouldn't work.

Sooo, I came up with a small cantilevered shelf. The support is a 1" angled aluminum from Home Depot, cut drilled and countersunk. It's attached to the wall w/industrial strength double back tape and #10 1" wood screws set in 3M 5200 adhesive. It's not going anywhere (famous last words). It's raised just high enough (1/8") so shelf does not rest on valance. I'll probably put a couple of small angle braces (shown) on either side of the blind and hidden by valance just cuz. The shelf appears to be resting on the valance, but it is actually very well supported by the aluminum rail and all the supporting hardware is hidden by the valance.

The slot for the cantilever shelf is made by my Forrest Woodworker II table saw blade which makes the perfect slot for the 1/8 aluminum. You could use a router table, but this is fast and easy. The ceiling angles (shelf and molding) are easy using a compass and mockup wood. I use MDF for my mockups.

Now, just have to seal, stain, varnish and assemble and move on to next window. Fun!

Do Your best and caulk the rest! :)

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fwunder Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676	Topic: Window Shelves Posted: 08 Nov 2013 at 6:17pm
	When we took our first trip we found ourselves stowing small items on top of window valances. Obviously a shelf belongs there! Besides, not much holding those things up. In my 178 it's just three #8 wood screws angled in - two on one side and one on the other. Feels surprisingly strong for such minimal attachment. I (we) don't like exposed (attachment) hardware. I also think Frank Lloyd Wright was a crazy old coot with an amazing talent for designing and building things that lots of folks said wouldn't work. Sooo, I came up with a small cantilevered shelf. The support is a 1" angled aluminum from Home Depot, cut drilled and countersunk. It's attached to the wall w/industrial strength double back tape and #10 1" wood screws set in 3M 5200 adhesive. It's not going anywhere (famous last words). It's raised just high enough (1/8") so shelf does not rest on valance. I'll probably put a couple of small angle braces (shown) on either side of the blind and hidden by valance just cuz. The shelf appears to be resting on the valance, but it is actually very well supported by the aluminum rail and all the supporting hardware is hidden by the valance. The slot for the cantilever shelf is made by my Forrest Woodworker II table saw blade which makes the perfect slot for the 1/8 aluminum. You could use a router table, but this is fast and easy. The ceiling angles (shelf and molding) are easy using a compass and mockup wood. I use MDF for my mockups. Now, just have to seal, stain, varnish and assemble and move on to next window. Fun! Do Your best and caulk the rest! :)
	2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!

sandlapper Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 04 Nov 2013 Location: South Carolina Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Posted: 08 Nov 2013 at 6:42pm
	That is a slick idea. I think I will do that as well. Thanks for posting this.
	sandlapper StarPod

Goose Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 24 Sep 2010 Location: Arizona Online Status: Offline Posts: 672	Posted: 08 Nov 2013 at 7:03pm
	Nice JOB!!!!! Goose
	Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee

The Pod Couple Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 24 Aug 2013 Location: Windsor, CA Online Status: Offline Posts: 52	Posted: 08 Nov 2013 at 7:43pm
	That looks amazing. I will share this with my husband!
	Larry &Pat The Pod Couple 2001 Ford F150 2014 RPod 178

rex Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 24 Sep 2011 Location: stuart fla Online Status: Offline Posts: 119	Posted: 08 Nov 2013 at 8:32pm
	Good job
	jrr

fwunder Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676	Posted: 08 Nov 2013 at 9:16pm
	Jeez folks. Thanks, but I still got all kinds of ways to screw up before co-captain signs off! BTW, 36"x1" aluminum angle: $9.97 (one window) 48" Maple Galley rail $14.83 (one window) 1x5x6' select pine shelf: $13.96 (two windows) I chose pine instead of maple or oak or teak just for price. Various bits of hardware, adhesives, drills, bits, countersinks, table saw, miter saw, router table and routers, jig saws and band saw, kick ass shop stereo and a wife that let's me have all that stuff: priceless!
	2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!

francoisfrogpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 24 Feb 2013 Location: Missouri Online Status: Offline Posts: 109	Posted: 09 Nov 2013 at 4:11am
	We did this in our pod. We used "spice" shelves from Ikea. They are unfinished wood when you buy them so you can stain them any color. They are life savers for all the "stuff" that one accumulates and lose track of otherwise. We even have one that is devoted to nothing but dog stuff, brush, toys, etc. I'd post a picture, but for some reason, I don't see the picture icon.
	Denny and Linda 2013 Pod 177 '08 Santa Fe

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 09 Nov 2013 at 10:41am
	You need to go to "full edit" mode. Use the Post Reply button under the last post, or use the little arrow that points up-and-to-the-right just above the Quick Reply box.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

geklund Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 27 May 2011 Location: Sequim, WA Online Status: Offline Posts: 12	Posted: 10 Nov 2013 at 12:10pm

	182G 2011 Hood River Edition F-150 5.4L

fwunder Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676	Posted: 20 Nov 2013 at 6:16pm
	Taking from bhamster's shelf idea (Lowes 72" lattice shelf) and using the same technique described above, this shelf came out quite nice. There is only two mechanical connections for the shelf. It is surprisingly strong. I did have to laminate another 3/4 piece of wood to the wall side of the shelf to accommodate my inset angled shelf bracket. I also used the bathroom plumbing access to glue in a 3/4" backing plate for the inboard shelf rail - there was no stud.
	2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!