Keyhole Bit - Wall Hanging Project

[AllPurposeApron]

Morning all!

I’m working on a wall hanging project for my son’s room. I have an assortment of small shelves I would like to hang flush to the wall. My thought was to cut a couple of keyholes into the back of the shelves and slip them over a couple of screws (in the wall with anchors).

However the only keyhole bits I’m finding are for a router. I have a router but the edge of the shelves is only 1/2” wide.

I would prefer not to use keyhole backets/hangers. That would leave the shelves sticking out from the wall more than I would like.

Is there a keyhole bit for a drill? Or am I even on the right track? See inspiration photo attached.

I’m new,so go easy on me guys! Thanks

 

[gungatim]

don't think a drill will work, you need a router AND a router table. you can't free hand it.

one other option is the metal keyhole hangers. you would hand chisel a recess in the board so the hanger is screwed in flush, and then it acts just like a regular keyhole (but is probably stronger).

 

[Muggzy]

X2

don't think a drill will work, you need a router AND a router table. you can't free hand it.

one other option is the metal keyhole hangers. you would hand chisel a recess in the board so the hanger is screwed in flush, and then it acts just like a regular keyhole (but is probably stronger).

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[MoonRise]

Handheld drill can drill a hole straight into something. It really can't cut a 'slot'.

That's what a router is for.

But you are correct that a router on the edge of a 1/2" wide piece of wood can't really be held too steady.

Which is why you can use a router in a router table (as mentioned).

Or you use a router sitting on some sort of temporary 'apron' to give the needed support so that you are not trying to balance the router on that skinny 1/2" thick board edge.

Clamp (you can also usually use some double-sided tape instead) a block of wood to the workpiece to give the needed support. Or hold the workpiece on your workbench so that the edge you want to route is flush with the bench top and the bench acts as the auxiliary support you need. Or make a jig of some sort to give the needed support.

Or you can use a metal keyhole hanger. Chisel out a shallow mortise so that the metal sits flush with the wood and chisel out the needed hollow space (another mortise ) for the screw head to pass into when you hang the unit.

More than one way to hang your shelves.

 

[dv8customs]

Drill a hole in the wood at an upward angle. Put nail in the wall angled upward, hang the shelf

 

[jeffg]

Nail from the other side? (jk)

 

[Git]

Here is a thought

Make a template out of cardboard and locate a couple of points on your shelves where you could drill a couple of decent size holes into the edge

Transfer the points to the wall - hopefully where you are going to hit at least one stud. Then get some wood screws or lag bolts and screw them into the wall, leaving them to stick out an inch or two. Cut the heads off the bolts, drill matching holes in the shelves and you're done. The shelves should just slip on the shanks of the screws.

The only tool you need really is the drill. If your worried about the shelf pulling off straight out, some construction adhesive/hot glue in the holes would probably keep it in place or maybe a small 90-degree bracket on the very top where you could not see it

 

[gungatim]

Drill a hole in the wood at an upward angle. Put nail in the wall angled upward, hang the shelf

that is actually a good idea. put the nail in the hole first to mark the wall and tap in the drywall so the angle is correct, pull the shelf and finish hammering it in.

forgot about that method

 

[DieselNut88]

Mortise the keyhole brackets so they are flush. If you dont have a router you can do it by hand with a chisel. Use a drill to make a relief for the screw head.

 

[fasteddie]

I remember making keyhole brackets out of 1/2" mending plates many years ago before I knew they even existed. I thought I was some kind of genius. There was no internet back then so I probably would never have found them even if I did know they were available.

 

[tarbellb]

Look up "french cleat", may give you some new ideas how to hang flush.

Or go buy the Ridgid Palm Router from HD, $99, (+key hole bit) excellent investment for a DIY'er.