Giant Magnetic Bracket Frame

One of the elements that I wanted to add to my functional command center is a large magnet board.  My kids can stick up there latest coloring creations or school projects for all to see.  Also it’s a perfect place for a paper or slip needing to go back to school.  In the near future I plan on adding a family calendar to the top, leaving the lower area for the kids stuff.  This giant bracket frame is about 52 1/2″ tall x 31 1/2″ wide.

Materials

(approx cost $30)

• 1 – 2′ x 4′ x 3/4″ MDF
• 1 – 3′ x 4′ Galvanized Steel Flat sheet
• 8 – 1 1/4″ pocket screws
• Paint and Primer

Step 1

Print the following for the pattern:  Bracket Frame 1, Bracket Frame 2, Bracket Frame 3, Bracket Frame 4, Bracket Frame 5, Bracket Frame 6, make sure your pdf print settings are print 100%, not ‘fit to page’.  Line up the pattern and tape it together.  The papers will overlap.  Cut out the pattern on the outside of the black lines.

     

Step 2

Cut the MDF board into 3 strips that are just over 5″ wide x 48″.  Trace the tall bracket pattern on 2 of the strips, use the straight edge of the strip for the straight edge of the pattern .  Trace the short bracket pattern 2 x on the last strip.  Use a band saw, scroll saw or jig saw to cut out the pattern.  Sand the edges as necessary until the are smooth.

Step 3

On the short bracket pieces, measure and mark up 2″ from the flat side.  This is where the tip of the tall bracket frame pieces will start.  Drill pocket holes on each end of the short bracket frame pieces.

Glue and screw together the bracket frame with 1 1/4″ pocket screws.

Step 4

If you want, route a decorative edge around the outside of the frame.

And now is where I had issues.  My husband had this thin gold looking metal in a roll in the garage, I assumed it was sheet metal.  Since the mudroom had gold trim, I thought it might look cool.  I was also hoping dry erase markers would work on it.  I  wrote on a small area, then wiped it off, it worked – good.    So I asked if I could use some, he said yep.  When I got around to adding the metal, I was looking at it and realized that it is aluminum.  Well aluminum isn’t ferrous, so magnets won’t work on it.  Shoot that ruined that part of my plan.  I decided to grab some sheet metal from the Home Depot, and I used spray adhesive to place the gold aluminum to the sheet metal.  So now at least the magnets will work, Yay!  With spray adhesive I mounted the metal to a scrap piece of thin hard board.

I routed a groove in the back to place the metal, and used nails to keep it in place.

If you don’t have a router, you can nail the sheet metal to the back of the frame.  Cut the piece of sheet metal at least 1″ larger than the frame opening, then use brad nails or 1/2″ screws to tack it in place.  You may want to wait to install the metal until after you paint the frame.

Step 5

Prime the frame really well.  Where you have made MDF cuts it will soak up the paint, so you’re finish will be uneven, a good prime will solve this issue.  Once the primer is dry, paint the frame your favorite color and allow to dry.

Add a couple of hangers to the back, or route a keyhole in the back for hanging.

Here’s my other FAIL.  I wrote on the gold metal with a colored dry erase marker.  I left the words on the board for a while…well they didn’t erase 🙂  Whoops.  I had to scrub for a good 30 minutes to finally get the words off!  My next plan of action for this board is to make a magnetic dry erase calendar to stick onto it!  Crossing my fingers that I don’t mess that up 🙂

 

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Linked to:  My favorite Link Parties, Remodelaholic, Savvy Southern Style