The Design.—This problem calls for an attractive article of furniture which should also be useful as a receptacle for magazines and current newspapers. An enclosed portion between two of the shelves is desired to conceal from view and preserve for a time the more valuable papers, parts of magazines, or clippings, as may be found convenient. The perspective sketch on this same page shows how these simple requirements are met. The overhanging top adds character and strength to what might otherwise seem too light for the load it is intended to carry.
A magazine stand
Materials and Tools.—Oak is selected as a suitable wood because of its strength and durability; for this stand is likely to be in almost constant use. A light wood, delicately finished, would soon show wear.
The stock list, according to the drawing, may be itemized as follows: 4 corner posts 13⁄4 × 13⁄4 × 36 inches; 4 upright slats 5⁄8 × 1 × 34 inches; four shelves 7⁄8 × 101⁄2 × 17 inches; one piece for the top 7⁄8 × 14 × 21 inches; 2 top rails 1 × 13⁄4 × 12 inches; 1 piece for the door 7⁄8 × 8 × 151⁄2 inches for the ends and the back of the closet 1 piece 5⁄8 × 8 × 36 inches; 1 pair 11⁄4-inch brass butts with screws for the hinges, and one brass knob or catch.
The tools needed are a jointer, a block plane, a smoothing plane, steel square, try square, knife gauge, fine cross cut saw, 1⁄2-inch bit and bit stock, key-hole saw, 1⁄2-inch chisel, mallet, nail set, hammer, screw-driver, and steel scraper.
The principal operations are as follows: Planing to size; scraping and sand-papering stock; squaring ends and smoothing them to the required length; laying out gains at corner posts; making mortises for top rails; making the rails; assembling the main parts; fitting ends and sides of the closets; hanging the door and putting on the fixtures.
Details and dimensions for magazine stand
The Construction.—Smoothing with the plane and scraping are very important and they should be completed before any sand-papering is done because particles of sand (silica), adhering to the wood, will dull the steel tools. All three operations are needed to remove the marks of the machine tools of the factory, in order to give a good finish in the end. The scraper follows the plane, removing the unevenness which the latter leaves on board surfaces. Sand-papering gives the finishing touches.