does anyone know of a site that gives a step by step guide for building a plate shelf? you know, those ones with the dowling that you can stand your plates up in and display them nicely, instead of hiding them in a cupboard.

I found this article:

Build your own plate shelf

I wasn't sure if you were looking for one that hangs on the wall or the one that you display your dishes sideways.

From all of the sites I see, you need a LOT of tools. (routers, jigsaws etc...)

Even Bob Villa needs a lot of tools to make this plate rack for the wall.

The BEST step by step directions I found were

here

It just seems like a LOT of work! For $100.00 you can buy one already made. You can also go to your local home improvement store and buy one there and install it yourself. They have many kitchen plate racks to choose from.

Pre made Plate Rack

Good Luck!

There are many designs out there. I would suggest going to your Local Public Library and look under furniture making.

Mind wood and materials for many projects usually end up costing you more than going out and buying the finished product.

I would not recommend this complex of a project to anyone who hasn't the right tools or who hasn't worked with wood much.

Since you will have to drill straight perpendicular holes into a board to accept the dowels you will need a drill press, this is a standing tool which allows you to get the same angle on the drill hole after hole. It is difficult to get precise holes with a hand drill - not unless you have drilled hundreds of holes previously

Though a Plate Groove in a plank is easy to do, I doubt this is what you want.

Not only that but most decent plans for wood working projects on the WWW are for sale - not for free. You do not find a complete list of tools needed until you buy the plans and then you discover that these plans call for a workshop.

I would suggest going to your local public library and looking up wood working projects, furniture making, etc and check out the books and find a set of plans that meets your skill and needs - then it is a simple matter of using a copier to copy the right pages.

thanks for the info guys!
there are definatly a couple of sites that i will be looking at in detail as soon as our desk is done being built.

dont worry about the tools, my mam has access to every wood tool you can think of through her work, and we both have plenty of experience working with wood and making our own things.

the MAIN point of making this one is to give me something to do.

Well, if you have the time, skill and equipment, then go for it!! You have some great info here to accomplish it.