DIY Network

Pool Cue Display Rack Rack up magazines or towels with ease. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-603

Put some fun into your storage displays.

Michele Beschen gives a B. Original twist to ladder shelves in this simple, inexpensive project. Instead of storing books or collectibles on ladder shelves reaching to the ceiling, she uses pool cues and dowels to make a mini-ladder that's perfect for magazines, towels or anything else that will slide over a small rod.

This easy how-to also includes advice from Michele Beschen on building a jig to hold the pool cues steady for drilling. Her insider tips also apply to building jigs for any odd-shaped object you need to hold still for drilling, cutting or other action.

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Pool Cue Display Rack

Materials:

2 pool cues
(5) 3/8" dowels, 13" long
drill press or hand drill
safety glasses
3/8" Forstner bit
3 pieces of scrap wood, at least as long as the pool cues.
screws
copper pipe strap
wood glue
bar clamps

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

• Select two pool cues that are the same size. Check second-hand stores as well as the sporting good departments of discount stores.

• The key to this project is drilling perfectly aligned holes in both cues. Michele Beschen recommends creating a simple jig to hold the cues steady during drilling.

• Build the jig using three pieces of scrap wood at least as long as the cues. Michele Beschen used a 1x6 board and two strips of plywood. Place one pool cue on the 1x6, and butt the two plywood strips tight against either side of the cue. Screw the plywood strips to the board to hold the cue steady (figure A).

• Line up the wide end of the cue with one end of the jig. Use a copper pipe strap – attached to the plywood with screws – to hold it in place (figure B).

• Measure and mark the location for the holes on the jig. Michele Beschen made her first hole 5" from the bottom (wide) end of the cue, then four more holes spaced 9-1/2" apart. Marking the locations on the jig will make it easier to drill identical holes in the two cues.

• Transfer the marks onto the cue and use a drill press and 3/8" Forstner bit to drill holes in the cue (figure C). Don't drill all the way through the cue, just to the depth of the bit head. It is possible to drill these holes with a hand drill, just make sure to drill them perfectly straight.

  Safety Alert: Always wear safety glasses and follow all safety instructions when using a power drill or any power tools.

• Remove the cue from the jig, insert the second cue and line it up the same way as the first. Secure the cue with the pipe strap, transfer the marks from the jig to the cue and drill the holes.

• Clean any sawdust or other debris out of the holes.

• Apply a small amount of wood glue in the holes in one cue and firmly insert a dowel into each hole (figure D). Wipe away any excess glue.

• Apply glue in the holes of the other cue and fit it firmly over the dowels.

• Use bar clamps to hold the piece together and let it dry overnight.

• Remove the clamps, set the piece against a wall and use it to display favorite magazines, towels or anything else that will slip over a dowel (figure E).