Rack of Ages
Posted by ReadyMade
Turn old suitcases into a cache for mementos and books.
Skill Level
Easy
Active Time
Less than an hour
Cost
$$
- Two vintage suitcases
- Short side table with screwed-in metal legs
- 4 screws (optional)
- 2 nuts (optional)
- 4 sets of posts with screws
Materials
- Flathead screwdriver
- Hammer
- Pencil
- Power drill
Tools
Completely remove the bottom hinges of the suitcases. There’s no surefi re way to do this, but we found that wedging the fl athead screwdriver under the metal hinge and hitting it with a hammer pried it away from the suitcase.
Using the screwdriver, remove the legs from the side table. If the hardware from the table will work on the suitcase, save it and set it aside.
Lay the larger suitcase on its back with the handle side facing you, and center the legs (see photo). Using the pencil, mark where the legs will attach and drill holes through the suitcase.
Using the table’s screws (or new ones, if the old ones won’t fi t), attach the legs to the suitcase. Add a nut to each side between the suitcase and the front legs to add a little height. (This ensures that the bookshelf doesn’t tilt forward when it’s stacked full.)
Stand up the structure. If the legs are skinny, you might want prop your shelf against a wall.
Set the other suitcase on top (with the handle side up) and position it as you like.
Holding it in place, drill four holes through both suitcases; the farther apart they are, the sturdier this level will be.
Push the posts through the holes and screw them into place. 9. Pile in the National Geographics and John McPhee tomes.
