DIY Network

Giant Paper Roller Keep planning paper at your fingertips. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-510

Keep the ideas rolling!

Projects mean plans – and that means paper. Make it easy to B. Original in your workshop with a giant roll of planning and sketching paper. Michele Beschen shows how to create your own paper roller in this easy how-to.

The workshop isn't the only place to get great ideas: You may want to make a smaller roller for a craft area or a child's art space. Just adjust the sizes to your paper roll and available space.

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Giant Paper Roller

Materials:

1x8 pine lumber
miter saw or hand saw
1/2" conduit
hacksaw
small carpenter's square
drill
3/16" wood bit
metal bit
screwdriver bit
3/4" Forstner bit
2" decking screws
metal yardstick
small screws and washers
paint and brush (optional)

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G

• Determine the mounting position for the paper roller. It can mount on the wall above the work surface or directly on the work surface itself.

• Measure the depth of the work surface and cut a piece of 1x8 pine to that length. This piece will be the back of the roller.

• Cut two pieces of 1x8 pine to 5-1/2" x 7" These will be the end caps for the planner.

• Measuring on the long sides of the end caps, make a mark 3" from one end of the piece.

• Use the square to mark a 45-degree angle from each of the marks to the end of the board. Cut along these marks with a miter saw or hand saw (figure A).

• Measure to find and mark the center point of each end cap.

• On one end cap, use a 3/4" Forstner bit to drill all the way through the board (figure B). On the other cap, use the same bit – but drill a hole only to the depth of the bit.

• Use a 3/16" bit to drill two pilot holes on each end of the back board. These should be 3/8" from the edge of the board.

• Position the end caps flush with the edge of the back board. Use 2" decking screws to secure the end caps to the back board from the back (figure C).

• Use a hacksaw to cut a piece of 1/2" conduit to the same length as the back board.

• To prevent the conduit from sliding out of the roller, create a pivot cap from a small piece of scrap wood. Use a drywall screw to attach the cap just below the hole in the end cap (figure D). This will hold the conduit in place but pivot out of the way when it's time to change the paper.

• Paint or decorate your paper roller as desired.

• Mount the planner to the wall or use brackets to attach it to the workbench. Michele Beschen used 3" decking screws to secure the planner to the wall (figure E).

  Note: Before mounting, double-check to make sure the end cap with the hole is facing to the outside.

• Choose some paper for the roller. Inexpensive contractor's paper is available in the paint department of any home improvement store. Butcher paper, art paper or table cover paper also work. Most paper rolls are 36" wide; if the paper is too long for the roller, cut it to size using a band saw or miter saw (figure F). If the roller will be mounted high on a wall, you can build the form to accommodate a 36" roll of paper.

• Position the roll in the planner so the paper rolls out from underneath.

• Open the pivot cap and slide the conduit through the hole, through the paper and into the closed end cap. Close the pivot cap to lock the roll into place.

• Install a long metal ruler or thin bar to hold the end of the paper in place. It also works as a handy paper ripper. If mounting the roller on a wall, install the bar on the wall a few feet below the planner. If mounting on the work surface, install the bar on the edge of the work surface opposite the planner.

• Use a hacksaw to cut the ruler to the same width as the roller. Drill mounting holes in the ruler with a drill bit for metals.

• Attach the ruler with small screws (figure G). Install a small washer between the ruler and the surface to create a small gap to let the paper slide through.

• You’ll wonder how you managed without this paper – as a protective cover for your work surface or as an instant sketchpad for big ideas!