Modern Magazine Rack/Holder

Hi Doug. It is good to have the magazines stick out above the top. It makes them easier to grab.
I’d be concerned about the bottom joint. ther are not screws or dowels? Titebond is pretty good but if it is full of magazines, there could be a lot of force/torque on the bottom joint. A couple of tie straps up a couple inches from the bottom would help a lot! Just a thought…........Jim

-- Jim Jakosh.....Practical Wood Products...........Learn something new every day!!

thats kind of what I thought Jim. The miter joints will be ok I think because no stress on those joints, but that base joint is kind of worrying me. Thats why this is a prototype! :) :) Also I think you are right about the height, because now you’ll be able to flip through the magazines easier! Thanks Jim – always good to hear from you, and hear what you have to say – I respect and value your opinion/know-how a lot! Thanks again

-- Hey you dang woodchucks, quit chucking my wood!!!!

I would suggest a spline in the miters, this will improve the strength, mainly the bottom joints. u could try cutting a dado into the base, this would provide extra support to the sides. Another idea that would keep with the modern look would be an aluminum rod (1/4” threaded on both ends, but not in the exposed area, capped with acorn nuts) spanning from one side to the other, say 3/4 of the way up. This would keep with the modern look and provide the support you need. Also if you wanted a frosted look to the glass, try acrylic, sand with a radom orbit sander with 120 or higher grit paper, makes for a great look.
Can’t wait to see what you end up with. The best part is in the trial and error, most of the time you end up with something you love.

-- "Waste not, for those whom waste will always be left wanting"

Mixedmedia – I love the idea of the aluminum rods. I’ll have to do a little figuring on how to do that and make it look good. I also didnt know you could frost Plexiglass by sanding it! Is there a special trick to it? or just sand away?? Thanks for your help and ideas!

-- Hey you dang woodchucks, quit chucking my wood!!!!

For the aluminum rod you can cut the threads very easy, then just polish the rest of the rod. I was thinking another option would be to use threaded rod and an aluminum tube, no thread cutting. ShopNotes magazine has done a few projects with polishing aluminum, ShopNotes No. 82 has a step by step guild.
No trick to the acrylic just sand both sides then wash the dust off and you’re done; should take about 5 mins for both pieces. Now I have not tried it with Plexiglas, only acrylic, they are similar but not the same, you can get both at most hardware stores.

-- "Waste not, for those whom waste will always be left wanting"

Hey Mixedmedia. I tried the frosting technique and it turned out really awesome! I put it up next to it to see how it’d look and it looks way better! The pics make the wood look a little reddish because of the lighting, but its not, its walnut and I plan to stain it a dark walnut stain. The frosting looks a lot better I think. Also I think I’ll give that aluminum tubing a try because I think it’d really make a statement on the project! Thanks a TON for your help!

-- Hey you dang woodchucks, quit chucking my wood!!!!

Hey no probem at all, looking forward to seeing the finished project!

-- "Waste not, for those whom waste will always be left wanting"

I think I would screw-n-glue it. Nice idea

-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Kentuk55@bellsouth.net

You could put some pocket screws into the underside of the base to hold the sides on, and it would never be seen unless someone turns it over, and that would preserve the sleek modern look.

-- Tim, Myrtle Beach, DrTim@ONeillChiro.com- Just one more tool, that's all I need! :)

shopmania – I didnt even think about pocket screws! I will probably do that on the next model

-- Hey you dang woodchucks, quit chucking my wood!!!!

I love the look, and think mixedmedia’s idea would be a great enhancement—both for the look and definitely for the durability of the piece.

-- -- Neil