Small Wooden Floating Shelf HACK - NO Drilling NO Glue | Google Nest Hub

I was working with my laptop at the kitchen, when suddenly Google Assistant on my Google Nest Hub, started talking with me... that was weird! 🧐😱... She asked me to make her a floating shelf. 🛠

Don't believe me? Watch the video... 😉 

So, I took the challenge, and made her a small wooden floating shelf from a scrap birch plywood.

I came up with the idea to mount it on the wall using a small DIY HACK, over the Gewiss electrical socket outlet. This way I didn't have to use glue or drilling on the ceramic wall tiles.

Of course that the idea for such a shelf, can be used to hold other items such as: Tablet, mobile phone, shaver, etc.

I know... there are Google Nest Hub mounts for electrical outlets, made from plastic that you can buy... but I love to make things myself, and with my design.

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Supplies

General List of tools I'm using - https://www.itzikdiy.com/tools-list?m=1

Tools in this Instructable:

• Angle Grinder (Disc)
• Sander
• Sanding paper
• Dremel 4000
• Dremel & Line & Circle Cutter (678) Accessory
• Dremel router bit
• Drill Driver / Impact drill
• Metal / wood / countersink drill bits.
• Sliding miter saw or other saw
• Measuring tape
• Relevant screwdrivers
• Heat gun

Materials:

• Thin Metal plate piece (2mm)
• Wood board piece (15mm birch plywood)
• Wood screws
• Heat shrink tubes
• Nylon zip tie
• Wood finish material (Ledicode)

Step 1: The Video

Watch the video to see my conversation with Google Assistant 😁 and the full process of the project.

Enjoy!

Let me know in the comments, what do you think about my solution...

BTW, The real story is that my wife asked for the shelf, but I tried to make the video more interesting... 😉

We're using the Google Assistant at the kitchen to play music, view recipes and more...

Step 2: The Initial State

Google Nest hub is sitting on the kitchen countertop.

Step 3: Starting the Shelf Project

Initially I thought to make the shelf using a pine wood, but then I found this scrap birch plywood, which was a leftover from other projects, so I tought that it will look better, specially the plywood multi layer look from the side of the self...

Step 4: Cutting the Plywood

I cut the plywood using my sliding miter saw, to a size of 19cm length * 8cm width.

The plywood thickness is ~15mm.

Step 5: Making a Slot at the Shelf's Back

The purpose was to make a floating shelf with a hidden bracket, as much as possible.

In order to make it, I made a ~2mm depth slot / socket, at the back side of the shelf, using a dremel 4000 & a dremel router bit.

I left a frame of wood on the top and sides, in order to hide the bracket, so the shelf will look nicer.

(You can make such slot also using a wood trimmer or router, but I found an advantage to make it using a small tool like a dremel)

Step 6: Sanding the Plywood

I sanded the plywood corners using an angel grinder with a sanding disc, and later using sandpaper.

Step 7: Making the Shelf's Metal Bracket

In order to make the shelf's bracket, I used a piece of aluminum metal sheet that I found.

The sheet has about 2mm thickness.

I pulled out the cover from the electric socket outlet that is going to mount the shelf later. Then, I put the shelf's plywood piece and the outlet cover on the metal sheet, in order to mark the required size for the bracket.

The dimensions and the bracket's shape may be changed according to your electric socket outlet type.

Step 8: Cutting the Metal Bracket

I cut the aluminum metal sheet, using an angle grinder.

You can see the bracket's final shape in the photo (before sanding).

Later, I trimmed the bracket's top a bit, on both sides, using the angle grinder, so it will fit the plywood back's slot. (see photo in the next step)

Step 9: Checking the Bracket's Position in the Plywood

I checked that the bracket fits the slot I made in the shelf's plywood in the previous steps.

Step 10: Sanding the Metal Bracket

I sanded the metal bracket using a sanding paper, to have a smoother surface.

Step 11: Drilling Screw Holes in the Metal Bracket

I drilled 3 holes at the metal bracket using a drill driver with metal bit, and later made a slot for the screw's heads using a countersink drill bit.

Step 12: Checking the Metal Bracket With a Screw

I checked that the screw head surface is aligned with the metal surface, so the shelf will be close to the wall without space.

Step 13: Drilling Screw Holes in the Plywood

I drilled 3 pilot holes through the metal bracket into the plywood, for the screws, using a drill driver with wood bit

It's not recommended to insert screws without pilot holes, to avoid cracks in the wood.

Step 14: Inserting the Screws

I inserted 3 wood screws through the metal bracket, into the plywood using my Impact driver.

Step 15: The Plywood and the Metal Bracket Connected

Some photos of the plywood & metal bracket connected.

Step 16: Adding Heat Shrink Tubes

I'm not sure that this step was mandatory, but I always like to go on the safe side.

Since that I'm going to push the bracket into the sides of an electric socket outlet, I decided to insulate that part using heat shrinkable tubing and a heat gun.

As I checked in my socket outlet, the electric wires doesn't reach to the sides, where I'll put the bracket, but I didn't want to take any chances.

Step 17: Final Result - Before Finishing

Some photos of the final result, before finishing.

Step 18: Painting With a Wood Finish

As a last step, I painted the plywood with a "Ledicode" wood finish, and left it to dry.

Step 19: Mounting the Self - Step 1

I disconnected the Google Hub power cable from the socket outlet, and removed the outlet cover using a flat screwdriver.

Step 20: Mounting the Self - Step 2

I opened the socket outlet frame screws a bit, so it will have a space to push the shelf's bracket.

👉 NOTE: If you decide to make this project, since it and involves touching an electric socket outlet, there is always a danger of ELECTRIC SHOCK. Be careful and do it on your own risk.

Step 21: Mounting the Self - Step 3

Pushing the shelf's bracket behind the socket outlet frame.

Step 22: Mounting the Self - Step 4

I tightened the socket outlet screws back.

I pressed on the top of the shelf, to see that it's stable enough to hold the Google Hub device.

Such shelf & bracket aren't meant to hold a heavy weight, but it's fine for my purpose.

Step 23: Mounting the Self - Step 5

I put the socket outlet cover back to its place.

Step 24: The Shelf Is Mounted!

Step 25: Putting Google Hub on the Shelf

I put the Google Hub device on the shelf, and connected the power cable to the socket outlet.

Step 26: Google Hub's Cable Arrangement

I rolled the Google Hub's cable and locked it using a nylon zip tie.

Then, I put the cable behind the device. You can see it from the side but it's not so bad.

In the position of the shelf in the kitchen, it's being viewed from the front side most of the time...

Step 27: The Final Result

That's it!

You can see some photos of the final result of the shelf and the Google Hub, from different angles and distances.

Yes, there is a small space between the socket outlet cover and the wall tiles, but it's not that noticeable. Do you have a solution for that? write me...

It's a relatively small and simple project, but for us it was a big solution :)

Step 28: The Video

If you missed it at the top of this instructable, watch this video with the full steps, for better understanding of the process.

What do you think of it of the idea? let me know in the comments.

You're welcome to visit my YouTube Channel, subscribe, and also watch my additional projects. (Don't forget to click the 'bell' button in order to get new videos notification.)

Thank you!