A quick tutorial from Handyman Jim™ on how to
put together your very own Little Free Library!
I’m purposely skipping over cutting the post and angle braces, as at no point during that whole process did I have a clue to what I was doing.
Two quick bits of advice though…
1: Having a table saw I could borrow from a family member sure was damn helpful regarding building the base.
2: I bought the wrong lag screws. Make sure to buy the right ones (not that I have a clue which ones that would be). And use power tools to secure them if you have weak little arms that aren’t accustomed to lifting more than a pencil and/or wacom stylus.
STEP #1
Placing the Post in the Ground
Make sure when finding a spot for your Little Free Library that you place it on an incline or small hill, that way you’ll have to dig even farther to make sure the hole’s deep enough.
Also make sure to place it near a large tree so there’s plenty of roots to cut and dig through.
STEP #2
Making More Work for Yourself
Make the decision to personalize your Little Free Library by adding a drawing to be mounted on top that you can’t find time to get to for months.
STEP #3
Check the Weather for a Polar Vortex
Wait until the RealFeel is 25 below and THEN install the Spider-Man drawing on top. That way the wood will be as hard as concrete.
And yes, the two pics indicate a three month lag between library installation and Spider-Man drawing (once again – finding time).
And there you have it – IT’S JUST THAT SIMPLE!
For more helpful hints, find someone who actually knows what they’re doing.
I know I will…
Update: Summer 2018
Spider-Man has taken some wear and tear over the last year and a half. Next time I’ll have to pick up a better piece of wood to paint on, but for now it’s time for some touch-ups.
I also needed to restock. Half Price Books just had a tent sale, so I was able to get a pretty good haul for real cheap.
And we’re officially back in business!
For info on getting your own Little Free Library check out LittleFreeLibrary.org