Everyday there's a blog, article or person bemoaning the decline
of traditioinal 'male skills', like hanging a shelf, in today's
man. So hold your head high once you've read this 'how to'
guide!
Brackets and other types of wall fixings abound but to keep this
simple we've chosen one where the shelf's supporting arm is
pre-fixed to the wall plate.
- My apologies! A 'supporting arm' is the bit the shelf rests on
(preferably in perfect parallel with the floor). Its chum the 'wall
plate' screws flush to the wall.
- Place one wall plate/supporting arm combo against the wall
where you want one end of the shelf to be supported. Check there's
the correct shelf overhang and take note so you can replicate the
other side. Make sure it's at the right height too!
- Grow spare pair of hands and use them to hold the wall plate in
place. Alternatively, engage services of another peep, preferably
an admiring one with tea & biscuits.
- Use your limb combo to put spirit level on shelf and, once
level, hold plate on underside of shelf. Use screw to mark where
screw holes are.
- Use wire and pipe detector to ensure you won't be screwing your
face plate into pipes or wires (not good).
- Place plate in position shown by screw mark and put spirit
level on top of plate to ensure it is level. Now mark all remaining
screw holes.
- Choose rawl plug/screw combo suitable for load shelf will
carry. Ensure your wall is also suitable, i.e. that masonry can be
drilled into and not just plasterboard if you plan to put up your
entire Encyclopaedia Britannica (book format) on shelf.
- Choose drill bit is right for task, i.e. masonary, plasterboard
etc. Ensure rawl plug is same width as drill bit.
- If your drill doesn't have a depth attachment, wrap masking
tape around drill bit at required depth. If your drill is variable
speed start slow and speed up as appropriate.
- Drilling will alert other member(s) of the household that you
are actually working. This would be a good time to request further
tea & buscuits.
- Insert rawl plugs in holes so that they are flush with wall.
Screw face plate to wall until all screws are halfway in.
- Put the spirit level on to of plate until it is level. Now
tighten screws.
- Repeat with second wall plate. Put shelf on and use spirit
level to ensure it is actually level.
- With a tape measure centre the shelf on the supporting arms.
Fix shelf in place with screws or tacks provided, remembering to
check one more time that shelf is level before putting smug face on
and shouting: "finished!"
- Alternatively, call a pro in while you do something more
interesting, knowing that if ever asked: "Could you put up a
shelf?" you could answer: "Why of course!" without any fear of your
nose going all Pinocchio-stylee.