by Chris Baylor

With all of the parts sanded, it's time for the assembly step of these free woodworking plans. You'll need a few large clamps, some woodworking glue and a few finish nails to complete the assembly of the knick knack shelf.

Apply a thin layer of woodworking glue into the dadoes of one of the shelf standards and insert the three shelves with their backs flush with the back of the standard. When all three are inserted properly, apply some glue to the three dadoes of the other standard and insert the shelves in these dadoes as well.

Lay the unit with the front facing downward on your table. Place a small amount of glue in the rabbets at the top and bottom of the standards, and place the top and bottom piece in the appropriate rabbets.

Clamp the unit together with a few long clamps to hold the standards to the shelves while the glue dries. Cross measure across opposite corners to make certain that the unit is square. Using a clean, damp cloth, wipe off any excess glue that may have seeped out of the joints.

Tack two finish nails through each side the top and bottom pieces into the standards. This will help hold the knick knack shelf together while the glue dries as well.