How I build floating shelves | NO PLYWOOD MITER FOLDS

This is the best way I have found to build floating shelves. This method was born from my dislike for miter folded shelf fronts. It's my belief that a plywood miter fold creates a low integrity corner with only about a millimeter of wood veneer (that's not much). The shelves I build in this video have a full quarter inch (1/4") of solid hardwood at the corners and across the entire shelf front. Durability is important to me.
Just to clarify, I don't dislike ALL miter folds, just plywood miter folds.
// Tools Used (Affiliate Links) //
Incra T-Rule 6 Inch - amzn.to/3qREhgP
Porter Cable 18GA Brad Nailer - amzn.to/3DyIxa9
Milwaukee Drill/Driver - amzn.to/376pmIK
Makita Track Saw - amzn.to/3uJyyep
3M Xtract Sanding Disc 120g - amzn.to/3iSf69P
3M Xtract Sanding Disc 150g - amzn.to/37aFnxv
// Finish //
Buffing Pad - amzn.to/3uPMVxx
Heavy Duty Cloths - amzn.to/3NFrS9A
Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C - amzn.to/41qFrQe
// My Amazon Storefront (Affiliate) //
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// Follow Me On Instagram //
/ everyday.builds

[@pemtax557]

Impressed with the concept, design and the execution. Your attention to detail and skill set made for an excellent video that I greatly benefited from. Thanks much for taking the time to share with the rest of us. Cheers!!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you for the very kind comment! And you are very welcome!

[@cobaltwoodcraft4365]

Great video, Jordan! Those shelves came out beautiful. I love the elegant simplicity and it looks great in your client's space.Some very handy tips regarding the different back bevels. I will certainly keep them in mind! Thanks. - Joe

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thanks Joe!

[@anavrinhome9886]

I build a lot of floating shelves. Excited to try this way. The joints look a lot cleaner.

[@fabiojuliooliveira5466]

Atenção para os detalhes é impressionante!! Parabéns pelo belo trabalho

[@2006goducks]

This was great! Really liked the angled cut against the wall. Thank you for sharing!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Glad you liked it!

[@DebHeadworth]

Your peaceful style is really easy to learn from! Thank you!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thanks Deb! That is always great to hear 😁

[@cartmanrlsusall]

You have my attention, respect, and subscription because you show the finished project before the build video

[@EverydayBuilds]

I do it for the people, lol

[@frankcornfield5915]

A great project well executed. Your attention to detail is great to watch.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you 🙏

[@gilbertboyer9936]

Excellent presentation. Precise and accurate. Well done.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you 🙏

[@christianfayet6587]

Hi , I discover your channel recently and appreciate. Thanks to share your knowledge and tricks about woodworking .

[@EverydayBuilds]

Awesome, thank you!

[@b3arwithm3]

Nice video packed with tips. I never thought such simple build would have so much details to pay attention to. You are a perfectionist 👍

[@EverydayBuilds]

Yes I am, lol. Sometimes too much 😬

[@b3arwithm3]

@@EverydayBuilds no such thing as too much 😉 at least as a hobby and doing my own house, I like to take my time and do my best. For customers, it depends on the price of the project.

[@dogwoodworking]

Gorgeous shelf! This would look great anywhere, but what a statement in the kitchen contracting the tile ❤️

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you!

[@donnygrahambuilds]

Shelves turned out great man. This is the first time I've caught your channel. Cool to find a channel that is similar to my own, I'll definitely have to give this technique a try!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thanks man! I’ll have to check your channel out 👊

[@KaosRising]

Really nice work, attention to detail is really high! Well done

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you 🙏

[@BrenQ99]

Your work is pristine. Very impressive!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you!!!

[@YouT-DJ]

Great solution to a tricky build. Nicely done.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thanks 👍

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

Nice work flow and design. Classy shelves. 👍

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you 👊

[@MrWaterbugdesign]

For your brackets, if you want more strength....instead of just gluing and screwing the protruding arms you can cut them thinner then glue and screw as shown. But now glue a sheet of 1/16 to 1/8 panel on top. That will greatly resist the arms from pulling away at their top connection.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Ooo, that is a great idea! Might have to try that one out, thanks 🙏

[@adlc1313]

My first video of your work, brilliant, and you're voice is absolutely soothing. Detailed and articulate on the "why's" to perfection. #Subscribed!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Wow, you are very kind! Thank you 🙏

[@adlc1313]

@@EverydayBuilds 😊😊😊

[@geraldpatrick9463]

I'm glad to have come across this video. It validates an idea I had for floating shelves. I haven't built them yet, but I have done a sketchup design for them. My design call for 1/4 in plywood facing and a 2 x 2 border. The quarter inch ply only extends 3/8 into the border and allows room to put a bevel on the bottom of the boarder to give it the look of a 3/4 shelf.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Sounds like a great idea. Good luck with your build 👍

[@dellsdiy]

I like this idea instead of the miter corners...I'm gonna give it a try! thanks for this and great content!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Awesome! Thank you 🙏

[@BKrieg8]

Awesome video. Nice build! FYI I do miter fold technique for the outside corner of my cabinet toe kick frames with plywood and they turn out perfect and have never seen an issue with them. But to each their own. Really awesome attention to detail and beautiful end product on your build!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you! I have done that for toe kicks as well 👍

[@99andycat]

Great level of precision.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thanks!

[@mrjpmorgan76]

Love it! I have found that using birch for supports makes for a solid shelf. While my end results look equally good, your work is wonderful to watch! Happy new year buddy!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you! Happy New Year to you 👍

[@bobbg9041]

Thanks, i was going to make 4 of these using lock miter joints and make them all look like one solid chunk. These look great and you didnt invest a lot on unnecessary hardware as the shilfs only need to suport 10 lbs each that i was going to do with french cleats Mine are to put speakers on, might even do one for my projector. This set you did look good and will work just fine for a few disply items. Provided no one stacks 50 plates on them they will hold just fine. If your going to load them down you'll need metal brackets that are welded using 1018 structural steel.

[@ajmesiti2857]

really nice work jordan!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thanks AJ!

[@yogeshruwali]

Love the concept and design. I plan to try this out on a small shelf for my son's room to keep his Xbox. If it works, I will build 4 large ones for my fireplace built-ins.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Good luck with your build! 🤙

[@gianpietroprevitali7103]

clean, effective and looks great .. love it .. well done!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you 🙏

[@abbii1661]

i found your technique in cutting a slight bevel at the edge very unique. i will try this in my project.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Glad you liked it 😁👍

[@robertgonzalez8419]

Speaking with 30 years of building experience this his hands down the best technique to building your shelf boxes , as far as mounting bracket I can see using this method perhaps other methods as well but by using your method you would save money for sure great job God bless

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thanks Robert 🙏

[@DerekHauser-kw1bc]

Nice work. Well done video as well. Thanks for taking the time to do it.

[@EverydayBuilds]

No problem 🤙 thank you!

[@DerekHauser-kw1bc]

@@EverydayBuilds And lightening fast responses to comments!! haha

[@EverydayBuilds]

@@DerekHauser-kw1bc ⚡️⚡️⚡️ of course!

[@phillipmartinez7124]

Very nice! 🫵

[@rajneeshmilarepa6090]

Nice work, and nice shop!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you 🙏

[@csimet]

Nice technique for building custom shelves thicker than 1". I use solid 5/4" myself and rods screwed in the wall at stud locations to hold mine up, but this gives me options for thicker shelving down the road where thick solid boards get crazy expensive. More complicated build of course, but they look great.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you!

[@urhuckfinn]

Dude!!! Your shop 🤯🤯

[@EverydayBuilds]

Haha, thanks! I love it!

[@chrismoses7445]

Great idea and nice work!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you! And thanks for the walnut, lol.

[@jefffuhr2393]

Design 🟢Materials 🟢Implementation 🟢Presentation & Editing... *FLAWLESS!*

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you!

[@mvthew]

Amazing build

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you!

[@stevemorris8545]

Awesome work!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you!

[@allcleanenterpise]

Great job solid wood working

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you 🙏

[@daimyo2k]

Beautiful job!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you!

[@drywallisinmyblood]

You are a true craftsman!!!!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you! Much appreciated 😁

[@adamagave]

Great tip, thanks for sharing!!!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thanks! You should check out version 2.0 👍 This will change the way you build floating shelves FOREVER! kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5S8hqaHn8Sgh5o

[@mikepurnell5645]

Interesting technique. I might have made the rabbit shallower to prevent wood movement. Also, you were using a climb cut on your palm router which probably caused your unstable feeling.

[@Fix.All.Repair]

awesome design

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you!

[@Zonedweller]

Nice job, also great looking shop :)

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you!

[@trev2417]

I like the 10° and 2° bevel idea 👌

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you 🙏

[@grassroot011]

nice outcome, thanks .

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you 🙏

[@osamabegain2903]

Thank you Mr Jordan

[@EverydayBuilds]

You’re welcome!

[@virgimasalskas9668]

Duud thank you for sharing this with us!!!

[@EverydayBuilds]

You’re welcome!

[@savvysurveyor5318]

I got suggested this video, and I have to say it was very good. Well put together (video and shelves 🤣). Worth a subscription from me for your effort and you deserve to get over 1000 subs. Well done 👍

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you! I appreciate the kind words. Almost there!!!

[@charlessmith4723]

This is next level. Thank you

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thanks! And you’re welcome 😁

[@godfreyreyes9636]

Amazing work, wow.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you!

[@Guilleggb]

Excellent job and I love you workshop, wish to have any close to that.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you! I’m very fortunate to have it 😁

[@charleslebeau3969]

Really nice option! Also love the « how much do they need to hold » quote😂 people don’t seem to understand that you would need a shit ton of books to reach 20 pounds.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thanks!

[@pablovalenzuela9089]

You're a ninja, amazing job! #goals

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you 🙏 🥷

[@charleselkins4546]

Nicely done.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thanks!

[@Ricks2Cents]

*Nice!!! I’ll give it a Try!!!*

[@DaileyWoodworks]

Great tutorial

[@EverydayBuilds]

Glad you liked it 😁👍 Thanks Robert!

[@Uswesi1527]

Something outstanding. Thanks

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you 🙏

[@CNTHINGS]

I really like the front tongue and groove to cover the edge of the plywood. If you flipped the glue up face down you could see the joint and might be able to close the gaps. Also you might not have to deal with the glue drips on the front of the ply. Just a thought. Good work.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thanks!

[@Grabber10]

very nice job

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you 🙏

[@tnabbott]

Nice video.

[@youngsoon-ys3308]

It’s kinda therapeutic watching your video.. 🥰

[@EverydayBuilds]

Good to hear 🤗

[@davidlarson2534]

I learned some things. Thanks.

[@EverydayBuilds]

You’re welcome!

[@fingersnospig]

I use the Bosch Hex-9 bits for tile, seem really good.

[@EverydayBuilds]

I’ll have to try them out 🤙

[@gregriddle9418]

Hey brother nice work, and I just bought myself a Joiner. And it would be cool to see some video on tips about method and common practices, as well as any safety tips both general and from experience especially... I really like your floating shelf construction methods, especially the two degree Mitre on the rabbit, quite ingenious

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thanks man! I’ll definitely keep that in mind 👍

[@t-mach5504]

Master work👍👍👍👍

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you 🙏

[@jim7smith]

Beautiful result. I will have to view again to see how the mounting is separated from the shelf itself. I did have a phone call halfway through so I might have been distracted. Very nicely done and looked great in the install on the tile!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you!

[@emiliangeczi287]

Very interesting technique, I learned something new today. My one concern would be the color difference between the veneered plywood and the hardwood front. In your case, you seem to have matched the two colors pretty well. But I'm concerned that over time the colors would age differently. Thanks for sharing this, though, it's an intriguing approach.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you! As long as you get a good match from the beginning, I don't think they will change to differently over time.

[@virgimasalskas9668]

Beautiful

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you!

[@joeljimenez8560]

Great job!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thanks Joel!

[@elmobolan4274]

This looks hard!!!

[@EverydayBuilds]

It’s not too bad, lol 👍

[@112wade]

Very nice!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thanks!

[@billloveless6869]

Thanks for the info!

[@EverydayBuilds]

You’re welcome!

[@crustycurmudgeon2182]

Very clever, VERY sturdy and very cool! But also very labor-intensive. Final installation was easy and quick (a plus for the customer-- you're not there very long). I'm not a pro woodworker, and I have never sold any of my "work" (if you can call my occasional wood-torture doo-dads that), but I do often wonder about customer perception of things. Scenario: when you walk in to install, customer sees you carrying two box-looking shelf thingies and two sticks with some notches and some weird-looking assemblies attached to them. They hear or watch you drilling. You quietly attach the sticks-with-weird-assemblies to the wall. You slide the boxy shelves onto those sticks-and-stuff. You leave and invoice the customer for $750.00 (or whatever-- what do I know? I'm not a pro). Customer wonders, "He was here for 15 minutes taking measurements over a week ago, then he comes in with sticks and boxes for 20 minutes... now he wants $750.00?" I really don't know how all this works!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you!

[@EverydayBuilds]

All I can say is pick your clients carefully. Good clients understand what they are paying for 👍

[@crustycurmudgeon2182]

@@EverydayBuilds That was just a curiosity thing, I have no plans for selling anything. Thanks for replying!

[@EverydayBuilds]

@@crustycurmudgeon2182 no worries! Thanks for the comment 👊

[@kojoenu1402]

This can be solved with line item estimates and invoices. 4 hours cut and glue up 2 hours prep and sand 1 hour install Materials - $200 etc. They can never question it if they know what they are buying. Cheers!

[@jackdelancey248]

Miter folding of ply and mdf is standard in the industry. It is plenty strong. I speak with 47 yrs experience.

[@nicholashimself]

Would love to see a milling demo!

[@EverydayBuilds]

What do you want to know?

[@iamchrisjans]

I've always used steel as rails if there's heavy loading, quick and dirty you could use some longer structural screws or threaded rod, as long as there's not much weight. 3/4 isn't gonna hold much with just a couple screws

[@redbank542]

No miter folds?

[@00craig4]

Thanks for the chuckle @5:35

[@EverydayBuilds]

My pleasure, lol.

[@deveugene7]

This is excellent.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thanks!

[@MakeWithMike]

Good job 👏 👍

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thanks Mike!

[@SnakeAndTurtleQigong]

Thanks so much

[@EverydayBuilds]

You’re welcome!

[@user-ug2kl6nx6s]

It so much easier when you have all the right tools and proper work space!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Everything is easier with the right tools 👍

[@rgtn2441]

For the miter folds I would recommend switching up the type of tape . Some 3M heavy duty packing tape works best . Especially for long miters . Should have some acetone handy when removing to prevent pulling the grain

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thanks for the tip! 🤙

[@vicweast]

I made similar shelves for my kitchen! The strength through this method is as good or better than the alternative.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Awesome!

[@dymarke]

I made floaters this way at first, the result is nice but its a lot of work. I found that it is much faster and easier to make folded shelves. You also have the added benefit of not needing any solid material and you don't have a material seam top and bottom that needs to be flushed and always shows. When done well it looks like the shelf grew as one piece. Usually I can make a set of 3 or 4 folded floaters in a couple hours. The trick is straight square cuts at 45.5 degrees and the rest is easy.

[@ET-76]

Nice hidden safe, inside the shelves.

[@EverydayBuilds]

A great storage spot for sure 🤙

[@TheRayCaruso]

Like your new method using the router table better. Seems like they go together better.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Much better 🙌

[@bskelly]

I love the idea and concept of your shelfs. Definitely going to try this for some upcoming shelfs in my study. I didn’t see you connect the shelf to the mounting bracket. How do you accomplish this?

[@EverydayBuilds]

That's great, thank you! There are three options for securing the shelves to the brackets. The first option is to apply some glue to the bracket and slide the shelves on. This is the most permanent option. The second option (and what I did for these) is to put a couple pin nails at the back of the shelf that go into the bracket. Using pin nails will keep it in place, but will allow for removal if necessary. You could use small screws. And the last option is to not secure them at all. I build mine so that they have a pretty good friction fit and would never come off unless someone really pulled on them. But it's totally up to you. Good luck!

[@ApocalypseLounge]

Great video! Can you please do a video on your finishing technique with the wet pad?

[@EverydayBuilds]

Absolutely! It is already on the list 👍

[@Wavecruzer79]

Did you order those white pads and then cut them for your sander size? The Velcro just held it?

[@EverydayBuilds]

@@Wavecruzer79 yep, just cut them into 5” circles and the Velcro holds it good enough 👍

[@SeamlessFab]

Lol Nice. I’ll continue to Tig weld all of mine and attach them directly into studs.

[@tommaxwell429]

Great job! Looks beautiful. Thanks for the weight insight, that is one area I always tend to overthink and overengineer. You are absolutely right about how much strength is enough? I just have one niggle, what's with the Rockler crosscut sled? Why didn't you build your own. Just kidding! Nice project and nice design.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Haha, it’s something I bought early on and it has definitely served its purpose. But it is on my list to build a better one 👍

[@IsaacC20]

@7:52 Good job testing it but note that there are two types of loading: static and dynamic. A shelf may hold up a stationary load but if you drop the same weight, it could impart a greater force than the shelf can otherwise handle.

[@EverydayBuilds]

I’m not sure how you use shelves, but I think you’re doing it wrong 🤔

[@deadsharkisart]

​​@@EverydayBuilds you dont think anyone ever drops weight onto a shelf, in use? id love to hear you explain to your customer that they "used the shelf wrong" lol

[@jamisonr]

@@EverydayBuilds Cats. The answer to dynamic load and shelves is cats. My cats climb on anything they can reach and will jump shelf to shelf. That said, I really like how you went about this build, it's a great look.

[@EverydayBuilds]

@@jamisonr lol, no worries man. That is a good point and something I definitely didn’t think of. 😂

[@georgiafan6618]

Great job and very clean install. I like the build technique. Wondering if you could have shot a screw through inside of cabinet into the end of each shelf for added support? 👍

[@EverydayBuilds]

That is definitely an option if you want the shelves to be extra strong 👍

[@campcolucci5978]

great intel. love the 2 deg bevel. any info on your dro for the dewalt planer, thanks mucho brother!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you 🙏 It’s a Dixey DRO from Rockler. Works great! 👍

[@enzzthefink]

Nice work/ video, personally wouldn’t have fingers or hand that close to the blade (3:43 or so) . I like the 2 degree trick

[@EverydayBuilds]

Yeah, probably not the best idea. I will be using feather boards in the future 👍

[@stefanoricci6714]

hi you did a great job and everything is explained nice and clear. I have a question to you, does it exists a way to avoid a miter joint and at same time to hide the front of a plywood? thanks

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you! If you have exposed ends, I don’t see a way of doing it without a miter.

[@yinkadavies8403]

Intensity to the delicate height, wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwoooooooooooooowwwwwwwww You are a treasure find sir wwwwwwwwwwwoooooooooooowwwwwwwww Subscribed yyyeeeeeessss

[@soteriamediaproductions6165]

Ok, I’m drooling over your table saw. Con you post some info on it? Thanks! Of course you got mad skills to go along with it!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thanks! It’s a SawStop 36” PCS 1.75hp 👍

[@CB27]

U're drooling over the table saw? I'm drooling over the whole workshop 😄

[@falconseyeaerialservicesll8176]

@@CB27, same here, I was looking around the shop and not paying attention to his work, I had to back to the begin of the video to catch up on his work to find out I’m looking around the shop again………..😂😅😂………….damn. Back to video again………