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Letter Z Shelf

September 21, 2012 |
6 Comments
posted by Ana White
PDF versionPDF version

Free plans to build your own giant letter Z shelf! Step by step instructions with diagrams, shopping list and cut list to build your own Z wall shelf!

Letter Z Shelf

Handmade from this plan >>

Projects built from this plan. Thank you for submitting brag posts, it's appreciated by all!

About Project

Author Notes: 

Thank you all for the positive feedback on Beth's Giant Letter A Shelf!

I'm with many of you and have a daughter with a curved letter, G, so I'm still doing some thinking for you on how to construct those letters!

But you don't necessarily need to use these wall or bookshelves as monograms - every kid knows A and Z mean learning to read and letters! The letters are perfect for any playroom! 

Or perfect for that perfect shared kids room!  Beth today is unveiling her boy's room makeover and it includes the A and Z Letter Shelves from plans we worked on together! 

Want inspiration for your own boy's room?  You must check out Beth's complete room tour here - it is just out of this world - literally!  I especially love the planet mobile!  Lots of the projects in the room are DIY - go check it out now!

And of course, you can get the free letter Z plans right here!

Dimensions

Dimensions: 
Letter Z Shelf
Dimensions: 
Dimensions shown above.

Materials and Tools

Shopping List: 

2 – 1x6 @ 8 feet long
1 – 1/4” plywood 23 ½” x 29”
(for both A and Z letters buy a 1/2 sheet of 1/4" plywood)
1 1/4" Pocket Hole Screws
2” (could get away with smaller) finish nails and wood glue
Hanging Bracket/Hardware that attaches to back (HEAVY DUTY!!!!)

Tools: 
measuring tape
square
pencil
safety glasses
hearing protection
Kreg Jig™
drill
compound miter saw
sander
level
countersink drill bit

Cut List

Cut List: 

4 – 1x6 @ 23 1/2"
2 – 1x6 @ 19 5/8” (long point to short point, both ends cut at 40 degrees off square, ends ARE parallel)
1 – 1x6 @ 9” (long point to short point, both ends cut at 40 degrees off square, ends ARE parallel)
6 – 1x6 @ 5 1/2"2

General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

Step 1

Letter Z Shelf

Let's start on the inside and work outward! I recommend attaching with countersunk screws and glue. Glue, glue, glue!

Step 2

Letter Z Shelf

And then add the shelf. Note that you can add shelf at any height.

Step 3

Letter Z Shelf

You'll need to attach these shelf dividers with 3/4" PHs and 1 1/4" PH screws and glue.

Step 4

Letter Z Shelf

And finally attach the top and bottom shelf.

Step 5

Letter Z Shelf

The back really holds everything together. Make sure you glue it on well, and I'd suggest screws to attach to the boards as well.

Step 6

Letter Z Shelf

For hanging the shelves, I highly recommend adding some 1x2s inside the letter to give you something to screw directly into the wall into a stud in the wall. These shelves will be very very heavy and we don't want them falling off the wall! When you do hang it, it is very important to secure the structure of the letter (the 1x6s or the added 1x2 cleats) into a stud in the wall and use the appropriate hanging system for the weight of your shelf. Also consider added weight of shelf objects in hanging this shelf.

DISCLAIMER: This shelf will be heavy. Hang and use at your own risk.

Finishing Instructions

Preparation Instructions: 
Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth. It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.

May I Suggest a Finish?

Whitewash Stained Finish
Minwax Two Tone Oil Based Stain on Pine
Distressed Turquoise with Chocolate Glaze

shelves, Kids and Toys, Intermediate, Children's

6 Comments

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clips

Thanks for the awesome inspiration!

My son's name starts with a "C," so I am going to do one to look like a varsity letter. This will be an awesome addition to his room! I am really excited!
posted by teacherlady | on Fri, 2012-09-21 14:28

"C" shelf

How did the "C" shelf turn out? I also need to make a "C" shelf. Any tips?

posted by campm0m (not verified) | on Wed, 2012-10-17 15:03

Awesome!

Thanks so much for the plans/inspiration! We just used the same basic concept for a letter H shelf!

posted by Huthbert | on Tue, 2012-10-09 17:09

Alphabet bookshelf

That letter bookshelf looks awesome! Any ideas how I could make a letter R?
Thanks

posted by Elise (not verified) | on Tue, 2012-11-20 21:11

Finished the Z Shelf

I used your plans and built the Z shelf for our grandson, Zane, who is still on the way (due March 30, 2013).

I used primed MDF for the 1X6s. Nice to work with, and super straight. They were made for shelving, and had one of the long edges rounded. I sanded the matching edge round so the front edges of the shelf would look the same.

Got a chance to use the Kreg, pocket hole jig I bought awhile back. For the backing, I used 1/8" hardboard--just like pegboard except smooth.

I cut all the pieces at once with a 10" chop saw, following the plan measurements. During assembly, everything lined up pretty well.

Thanks for the plans. Now we're working on a J for our other grandson, Jaksen.

posted by Rich Bullock (not verified) | on Thu, 2012-12-06 13:50

You’ve got some interesting

You’ve got some interesting points in this article. I would have never considered any of these if I didn’t come across this. Thanks!.
RSA Driving School

posted by kongk | on Tue, 2013-05-21 10:53

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