By Faith Towers, Houzz
Original photo on Houzz
Father’s Day is almost here, so it’s time to start thinking about finding the perfect gift for Dad. We know that moms grill too, but if your dad is the grill master in the family, consider making him a personalized tool hanger he can use all summer.
Tools and Materials
- Pencil
- Tape measure
- Two wood planks — one 4 by 18 inches and one 6 by 18 inches
- Electric drill with Phillips screwdriver and one-eighth-inch drill bit
- Sandpaper
- Wood stain
- Rubber gloves and a rag
- 3-inch adhesive letters
- Glue stick
- Painters tape
- Acrylic craft paint
- Paintbrush
- Wood glue
- Two 1-inch wood screws
- Five 1½-inch brass-plated cup hooks
- Picture hanger
- Additional screws as needed for hanging
Instructions
1. Use a pencil and a tape measure to mark five dots on the 4-by-18-inch wood plank for the hooks. There should be 3 inches between each dot, and the dots should be centered both horizontally and vertically.
Original photo on Houzz
2. With a one-eighth-inch bit, drill pilot holes through the pencil markings. Sand the holes, if needed.
3. Stain both pieces of wood according to the directions on the can.
Note: Stain is oil-based, so it is important to wear gloves and use an old rag for application. Be sure to work in a well-ventilated area as well. Apply two coats if you’d like a darker finish.
Original photo on Houzz
4. Let the stain cure overnight. Place the adhesive letter of your choice on the right side of the 6-by-18-inch wood plank. Check the position of the letter by holding the smaller plank where it will be attached to the larger plank to be sure the letter is where you want it before attaching it permanently. If the letter doesn’t stick well to the stained surface, use a glue stick to add adhesive to the back of the letter and try again.
5. Mask off a 3½-inch strip of wood using painters tape along the top and bottom edges of the board. The bottom of the strip should align with where the top edge of the smaller plank will sit.
Original photo on Houzz
6. Paint the area between the tape strips with acrylic craft paint. Let the paint dry thoroughly, then remove the tape and the adhesive letter.
7. Glue one edge of the smaller plank and position it so that it is perpendicular to the larger one. The top of this smaller plank can sit along the bottom edge of the paint stripe or slightly below it, depending on what you like. The pilot holes should be on the underside.
Original photo on Houzz
8. Once the glue has dried, use your electric drill to screw the two wood screws through both pieces of wood on both ends of the smaller plank, working from the back. Make sure to position the screws so that they will run squarely into the smaller plank.
Original photo on Houzz
9. Twist the cup hooks into the pilot holes that you drilled earlier.
10. Screw a picture hanger into the center of the back of the large plank, 1 inch from the top.
If you will be hanging this on your home’s siding, the shelf should sit perfectly, thanks to the slight tilt of the siding panels. If you will be mounting it on a flat wall, the depth of the picture hanger may cause it to hang at an angle. To keep it hanging straight, add screws with heads that are the same depth as the picture hanger to the bottom corners of the piece about 1 inch in from the bottom and sides.
The shelf is a handy spot for seasonings, herbs and other grilling necessities, while the hooks hold plenty of tools. Dad won’t know what he did without it all those years.