Key Rack
Make a quick and useful key rack, perfect for a gift!
Sometimes you just want a quick and yet satisfying solution to a problem. So we came up with the idea of ‘quick makes’, which don’t need lots of tools or skill but look good and can even be given as presents. What’s not to like?
1. First of all you need to decide how many hooks you are likely to need. Keys seem to breed, popping up from nowhere. Choose some nice looking hooks at your DIY store like these solid brass leaf design pattern. The wood needs to be sawn long enough to get the hooks spaced correctly. Glue and clamp two pieces together to create a simple angle shape and leave to dry
2. Now mark across each open corner with a sliding bevel at 45° so the corners can be cut off by equal amount. This will make it look more pleasing once it is finished rather than plain square corners. Use a fine tooth saw and wooden bench hook to sit the workpiece on while sawing the corners off as neatly as possible
3. Take off all the sharp edges using a block plane. It only needs a couple of strokes to give a nice finish
4. Now drill small diameter holes for the hooks. It is important not to make the holes too big or the screws won’t go in tightly. Make sure you have even spacing by measuring the distances and lightly marking the wood first
5. You will need to fix holes for mounting the keyrack on the wall. This can be done directly behind the two outer hook positions so those holes are hidden once fixed to the wall. Use a countersink to bury the heads in the wood
6. Now apply your desired paint colour. There are several ranges of chalk paints which look really nice on projects like this. You only need a small tin as it should cover in one coat. Drill and fix the key rack in your desired position. If you are fixing to a wall you will need to use a masonry drill and plug or use the correct fixing type for a stud wall. A simple and useful project that looks attractive.
