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Ten Green Modular Shelving: shelving and tables using glass bottles
by royshearer on September 18, 2006 Table of Contents Ten Green Modular Shelving: shelving and tables using glass bottles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intro: Ten Green Modular Shelving: shelving and tables using glass bottles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . File Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 1: Get your bits n bobs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 2: Place the bottles and top shelf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 3: Tense up! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 4: Assemble into a larger unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 5: Experiment! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 2 2 4 4 5 6 7 8

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ten-Green---modular-shelving/

Author:royshearer author's website

I am a freelance design engineer and drummer. My business site is at http://www.zero-waste.co.uk and is often concerned with appropriate technologies, open source design and design for sustainability.

Intro: Ten Green Modular Shelving: shelving and tables using glass bottles
Ten Green is a modular shelving system, constructed simply from local recyclates. This prototype was built with the Coach House Trust in Glasgow, using bottles from their recycling centre, and wood from the maintenance of their own sites. You can use any found timber, and adapt the dimensions to suit the wood you are working with. Some examples are for sale at our shop here. Design is released under a share alike/attribution CC license by Zero-waste Design .

File Downloads

shelf assy.pdf (42 KB) [NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'shelf assy.pdf']

Step 1: Get your bits n bobs.

For one module you will need: Four bottles. All the same brand/height/shape preferable. Wash them thoroughly in hot soapy water. Two hook and eye strainers / turnbuckles as they are sometimes called. I used the smallest I could find, which are 14mm OD at the buckle and 5mm OD at the threads. Such as these from Screwfix . Two planks of wood, prepared as shown in the .pdf template - careful! there are two different hole diameters, and if you are leaving one rough edge as I did here, make sure you take your measurements from the straight datum edge. *REVISION* I would now NOT drill the holes in the lower shelf (the 30mm ones) all the way through, but drill them from below to half depth, using a flat bit. They will then rest on the tops of the bottles of the module below, rather than allowing the necks to pass striaght through as was the case in this prototype. (See discussion in comments) Screw in the cup hooks halfway between the holes on either side, as shown. Depending on the height of your bottles, you may need some ess hooks too to help the strainer reach between the upper and lower hooks.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ten-Green---modular-shelving/

Image Notes 1. These holes now half depth from below, ie. would not be seen from above.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ten-Green---modular-shelving/

Step 2: Place the bottles and top shelf

Place the bottles concentrically over the holes of the lower shelf. Then carefully lower on top the upper shelf, allowing the necks of the bottles to pass through the 46mm holes in the upper shelf. Allow the shelf to rest on the necks of the bottles. Then by hand adjust the bottoms of the bottles so that they sit flush with the lower shelf.

Step 3: Tense up!

Attach the hook and eye strainers and ess hooks if needed, between the opposing hooks. Tighten up thoroughly.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ten-Green---modular-shelving/

Step 4: Assemble into a larger unit

Make as many modules as you need, of whatever sizes you require. As long as the bottles are of the same height, and your holes are drilled precisely, you can stack the modules on top of each other

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ten-Green---modular-shelving/

Step 5: Experiment!
This is an epilogue to suggest some other Ten Green-type furniture that I have worked on since: A kitchen shelving unit, which is more of a kit really, and two coffee tables which were made to commission/to suit specific bits of wood! The tables are just the same as the shelving modules but flipped upside down, and without holes in the shelf at the base of the bottles (the table top). More info at www.zero-waste.co.uk . I would be up for trialling the new 'Collaborate' feature of instructables with someone on this project. Message me if you're interested.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ten-Green---modular-shelving/

Related Instructables

TwoLiter Shelves by wholman

Ten Green Wee Shelving: small shelving unit using beer bottles by royshearer

Vodka Bottle Coffee Table by pipe42

Ten Green Coffee Table from reclaimed timber and glass bottles by royshearer

Easy Cardboard Shelves by live_corrugated

DIY Ikea: Modular food shelf by frenzy

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ten-Green---modular-shelving/

Comments
50 comments Add Comment view all 99 comments

DIYDragon says:
Cool! Some lights inside the bottles would be nice looking.. *ponders ideas for own projects*..

Dec 5, 2007. 8:58 AM REPLY

mr_kronk says:

Feb 8, 2011. 6:24 AM REPLY lol i was gonna mention that myself but then i saw you beat me to it good idea though, could also turn all the bottles into lava lamps too.

cfischer505 says:
I'm going to use a shortened set of xmas lights in mine, even in an amber color bottle they will look great.

Feb 1, 2008. 2:25 PM REPLY

paralyzedcitizen says:

Jan 23, 2011. 3:17 AM REPLY Fantastic project! Thanks for the inspiration :) Here's mine below. I didn't want to loose any height because I wanted to use bottles of my favourite ale so I haven't drilled through the shelves.

royshearer says:

Jan 23, 2011. 5:01 AM REPLY Hi, great stuff! The 30mm holes are primarily for making assembly easier, and help if the shelving is ever subjected to a significant sideways knock, but are not essential as you show. That is a fine selection of ales indeed. Oct 26, 2010. 12:32 PM REPLY

royshearer says:
Rogier Martens' version using straps and plywood: http://www.rogiermartens.nl/2010/08/27/362/ Makes a nice clean display system.

INTHERMA says:
Great idea! Thanks

Aug 15, 2010. 9:29 PM REPLY

dbbd says:
I'm absolutely going to try this with nice scotch bottles. I never liked to throw these away, and now I can put them to good use.

Aug 8, 2010. 7:47 AM REPLY

FencingSmoker says:
I used liquor bottles for the supports and an old, falling apart dining room table for the wood. Thanks for this great Instructable!

Jun 2, 2010. 6:39 AM REPLY

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ten-Green---modular-shelving/

juanoporras says:

Aug 16, 2009. 9:40 PM REPLY Oh man thanks, I needed some tables and shelves, was thinking on buying some, but this is a really cool idea, thanks for sharing. ;) maybe a tip to make then better; On the tables where the bottles are upside down touching the ground; if the place where is located is not soft like a carpet you have the risk of breaking the bottles, you can maybe add corks or plastic/rubber caps so the bottles wont break easily or maybe scratch the floor. thanks again!

Einarjon says:

Dec 27, 2009. 1:11 PM REPLY Whatever the surface, popping in some champagne corks would be a good idea. It would be easier on the bottles and the ground.

drbill says:
Plastic corks for feet. Good idea.

Jan 17, 2010. 1:05 PM REPLY

svfox69 says:
You could make this for $1.00 Time to head over to my brothers for some wood. Steve http://scrabblecheat.com

Sep 14, 2009. 9:24 PM REPLY

trike road poet says:

Dec 28, 2009. 5:33 AM REPLY I intend to use some old wine bottles, (and I'm thinking of stacking some of those metal spice containers) to make the shelf spacers for a shelf in the pantry/kitchen area. An easy and delightfully eye catching project. Solid instructable and one to get the creative juices flowing. This is a project where individual creativity can get a chance to blossom, this is one of the best instructables yet, a starting point that leads you into your own creations. Thanks!!!

Einarjon says:

Dec 27, 2009. 1:21 PM REPLY Possible money saving tip: When doing many shelves, instead of using a hook and turnbuckle for each shelf; use a single turnbuckle on each side. Just drill a tiny hole into all the middle shelves and lead a wire through them. Put hooks into the top and bottom ones and connect it to the turnbuckle with the wire. Dec 25, 2009. 9:29 AM REPLY

crazyjaesi says:
I used beer bottles and hung it on the wall www.facebook.com/photo.php

ademczuk says:

Oct 1, 2009. 10:34 PM REPLY Here's my attempt. 27 hours and $360 (AUD) later. Used a sand-paint finish and enlarged a drawing the person I made it for (from a6 to a3) with a photocopier then stencil spray painted it on top

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ten-Green---modular-shelving/

red9er says:
how much weight can it hold? great idea but if the bottom bottles can only support... oh, 25lbs, what good would it be?

Sep 14, 2009. 1:53 PM REPLY

royshearer says:

Sep 15, 2009. 2:07 AM REPLY I would recommend anyone making this instructable to load up the bottom unit beyond what they expect it to have to hold as way of testing, before building the units up properly. I did this when prototyping, by standing on the bottom unit. The critical weights of course depend on the timber used, what you're going to put on the shelves, and the strength of the bottles, all of which might vary significantly from person to person. If anyone has any test results, do post them here. For my part, I used 250mm high beer bottles here, with approx. 30mm thick timber, each unit weighing approx. 8 kilos. The lowest unit would need to take 16 kilos before loading, so I tested it to my weight, about 55 kilos (yes, I'm real skinny!). That way I knew I could put on at least 39kg of stuff. Hooray for empirical data!

svfox69 says:
The weight would vary on the type of bottles used. You would have to experiment to find out your bottles capability. steve http://scrabblecheat.com

Sep 14, 2009. 9:25 PM REPLY

chenhong says:
very.good

Sep 13, 2009. 9:25 PM REPLY

miseleigh says:

Mar 4, 2009. 9:41 AM REPLY For people worried about breaking the bottles - I haven't tried this, but if (when?) I make these shelves, I will find some kind of filling for the bottles. Even something as simple as candle wax would help keep the bottles sturdier. Didn't I see a homemade cement instructable recently? Just be cautious about using something that requires lots of heat, or something that would expand as it cools or dries. Mar 1, 2009. 10:39 AM REPLY Wow! Love this! My kitchen and dining room are all grapes and wine images. What better way to add to that theme!! Will use bottles saved from a local winery. Feb 1, 2009. 8:39 PM REPLY Excellent design. You were correct that it is better to drill the bottom recesses halfway. Also, using a chain, screw eye, and bolt hook is less expensive that the turnbuckles (see photo).

kckckc2522 says:

Gallois says:

Nachimir says:

Jan 31, 2009. 3:42 PM REPLY Thanks for this, brilliant idea. I saw this when it was first posted and finally pushed to start and finish something I've been planning ever since: http://flickr.com/photos/rubberdreamfeet/tags/shelves/ Different method using nylon rope instead of turnbuckles. Mainly decided on that because really nice looking stainless turnbuckles were hella expensive ;)

Fasteners says:
wow this is really cool

Jan 5, 2009. 9:45 AM REPLY

dakotacrow says:
how much weight would these hold because I have a lot of books.

Dec 22, 2008. 9:40 PM REPLY

ewilhelm says:
The projected was mentioned on WCBS this morning!

Nov 24, 2008. 11:29 AM REPLY

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ten-Green---modular-shelving/

shooby says:

Nov 2, 2008. 10:12 PM REPLY Great execution of a simple idea. The wood you used really makes it though. The contrast between the thin, man made, smooth glass and the thick rough cut shelving is great. Aug 14, 2008. 10:06 PM REPLY

carpespasm says:
Finally made some shelves inspired by your design. They're not modular, but they are quite stable.

royshearer says:

Aug 26, 2008. 6:06 PM REPLY thanks carpespasm - they look really good! The modular thing has really turned out to be unnecessary for most people I think , so you're definitely not alone.

cleargreenfire says:
Thanks for sharing this I'm always looking for new ways to use wood scavenged from construction site scraps.

Jul 31, 2008. 7:38 PM REPLY

emecklen says:
My boyfriend and I did this with some thrown out wood and beer bottles. Thank you so much!!

Jul 16, 2008. 8:16 PM REPLY

spydyr says:
I think a set of Bawls bottles and some LED bulbs would add a good touch to the table idea.

May 9, 2008. 8:30 AM REPLY

sullanfield72 says:

Mar 28, 2008. 3:49 PM REPLY So just how strong are these shelves? Any ballpark on how much weight they'd hold before cracking? I know that they're supposed to be really strong but I'm still sort of nervous about loading them with books and a stereo. Feb 5, 2008. 8:28 AM REPLY Super Idea! Question. Could you cut the tops of the bottles with a water saw and use them that way? It's a bit more work, and I don't know if it will make it structurally safer or less safe. Also there is the fact that it will be different.

oculus1857 says:

yoshhash says:

Mar 25, 2008. 3:44 PM REPLY don't use a saw! that's dangerous as hell. glass cutters are cheap and fairly easy to use. there is a great youtube video, (sorry I don't have the link), that is even better, faster, easier for cutting cylindrical glass objects. you just set fire to a wax-impregnated string tied at the spot you want to cut, then after about 20 seconds into it, you dunk it in water. the temperature change cracks the glass right where you want it.

yoshhash says:

Mar 27, 2008. 8:54 AM REPLY sorry, just realized you wrote WATER saw, which of course is NOT dangerous, if you know what you are doing. carry on.

oculus1857 says:

Mar 27, 2008. 9:15 AM REPLY LOL it's all good. I have tried using the water saw and it cuts, but you have to be slow and steady so you don't chip the edges. REALLY, hard to sand that way.

Patrik says:

Dec 5, 2007. 3:20 PM REPLY For another "stealthy" support alternative, try making a bookcase where the shelves are supported by tall hardcover books... You could even cheat and buy a commercial book rack, then hide the hardware inside hollowed-out books...

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ten-Green---modular-shelving/

kingkael says:

Feb 6, 2008. 2:58 PM REPLY Wow, this gives me all kinds of good "stealth" shelf ideas. DVDs, CDs, Cups/Glasses, Magazines. It will be called the "stealf".

DeadlySurfer says:
Awesome. I can imagine my self grabbing the bottle thinking it was real and breaking the thing. :)

Jan 7, 2008. 5:49 AM REPLY

hcold says:

Nov 23, 2007. 5:22 PM REPLY I like very much, the coffee table could have more of an "arty" look if the bits between the slats were filled in with some kind of see-through acrylic or glass.

hcold says:
Not that I think you're looking for the "arty" look.

Nov 23, 2007. 5:44 PM REPLY

The magical duct tape kid says:

This is sweet,

Oct 30, 2007. 5:07 AM REPLY

fpd says:
Your original is very nice, but this "hiding the trees in the forest" is brilliant.

Aug 1, 2007. 7:57 PM REPLY

royshearer says:
Thanks, not quite sure what you mean!

Aug 6, 2007. 9:11 AM REPLY

fpd says:

Aug 7, 2007. 11:55 AM REPLY I was commenting on your "Step 5," second photo (I did not know the comment would also show on the "Intro" page). The placement of the support bottles (trees) and the normal kitchen items (the forest) surrounding them, makes the shelves look magically supported.

kirnex says:

Sep 13, 2007. 5:46 AM REPLY Very true. That's really a clever look. I'm thinking that'd be a great way to display the homemade vinegars, liqueurs, and other concoctions that always clutter up the kitchen. A smaller-scaled application seems to be the answer. This concept has endless possibilities. Love it.

Darkshot says:
HOW GENIOUS!!

Sep 9, 2007. 3:13 PM REPLY

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http://www.instructables.com/id/Ten-Green---modular-shelving/