Magnetic Bookends

Made By Dad

Posted by Workman

About

I was a big fan of the Road Runner cartoons as
a kid. I loved the ACME-branded gadgets that Wile E. Coyote tried to catch the Road Runner with.
So with that in mind, here’s some superpowerful (only joking) ACME-inspired magnets to stop your books in their tracks!

Share

You Will Need (13 things)

  • Pencil
  • Drafting Compass
  • Ruler
  • Paper Glue
  • Book or other heavy object (to use as drying weight)
  • Medium-weight Cardstock
  • Clear Tape
  • Scissors
  • Spray Paint (red and silver)
  • Newspaper
  • Masking Tape
  • Medium-sized corrugated Cardboard Box (sides at least 9", 229 mm square)
  • Craft Knife and cutting mat

Steps (17 steps, 120 minutes)

  1. 1

    Use the craft knife to cut four large panels from the sides of the cardboard box.

  2. 2

    Use the pencil and drafting compass to draw a magnet shape, as shown, on one of the pieces.

  3. 3

    Cut out the magnet panel on the cutting mat. Use it as a stencil to trace three more magnet shapes on the cardboard, then cut them out.

  4. 4

    Mark the same side of each magnet panel with an X, as shown. this side will be the front and will help with fit later.

  5. 5

    Measure, mark, and cut five cardboard rectangles, as shown. Glue one short end of each rectangle to the front side of one magnet shape. Let dry.

  6. 6

    Apply glue to the exposed ends of the rectangles and press them against the back of another magnet panel, making sure that the X marks face in the same direction and that the sides are aligned. Place books on top to hold them firm as they dry.

  7. 7

    Measure and mark the cutting plan for the two side strips. cut out the strips with the craft knife.

  8. 8

    fold the end of strip A and hook it around the inside corner of the magnet panels. Use the pencil to mark the strip at the outside corner, as shown. Remove the strip and crease it along the mark line.

  9. 9

    Apply glue to the edges of the magnet panels and fit strip A snugly against them. continue to apply glue all the way around the panels, wrapping strip A around them and securing with tape. trim off any extra length at the corner and let dry.

  10. 10

    curl strip b into a lowercase n shape. fold the right end of the strip around the remaining end of the magnet panels, as you did in step 9, making two creases.

  11. 11

    Apply glue to the inside edges of the magnet panels and push strip b into position, as shown. Secure it with tape while it dries, then remove the tape and trim off any extra length at the corner.

  12. 12

    Repeat steps 6_11 to make the second magnet.

  13. 13

    Use a craft knife or scissors to carefully trim off any excess cardboard.

  14. 14

    Spray both magnets red. Let dry.

  15. 15

    Mask all but the ends of the magnet with newspaper and masking tape. Spray the ends of the magnets silver. Let dry.

  16. 16

    Measure and mark two rectangles from the cardboard and cut them out. fold the rectangles and glue them to one end of the magnet, as shown, to complete the bookends.

  17. 17

    Position your very attractive magnets on the polar opposite ends of some books!