Hidden Key Rack

I needed a place I could keep spare keys and the keys I didn't want to carry around with me everywhere,

I came up with a place that was very accessible to hide my keys in plane sight.

I got this sign as a gift from my wife, it hung in the garage for a month or two before I decided that it was just too plain.

I used a scrap piece of pine and covered it with masking tape, marked out the dimensions of the sign and centered it on the wood, then cut it down to the size I needed, routed the edges smooth and recessed the area for the hinge.

The hinge I used is a locking bi-fold door hinge.

After I had the edge and hinge area routed out I mocked it up to check the fit of the sign face.

After mock up it was time to put some color to it, I wanted to try a Japanese technique of preserving wood called Shou-sugi-ban, so out came the blow torch. The burning Smell was very earthy and warm.

I wanted a rustic look, So some area's got the torch a little heavier than others, after I charred the whole board I sanded it with 250 grit sandpaper, and gave it a second burn ( I sanded it too heavy in some area's ) after the second go with the torch I used 2000 grit sand paper to bring the shine out, finally wiped it down with tung oil and let it dry.

Then assembled it for the next step.

I covered the edges with masking tape (can you tell I love this stuff?) and marked where the edge of the sign came down.

I used 1/2 inch trim molding to frame the sign so you couldn't see behind the edges, I also used the same burn technique on the trim piece's then gave them a quick sanding and wipe down with tung oil.

Marked where I wanted the brads to sit in the trim, pre-drilled the holes, pulled the tape off put a light coat of wood glue on the back of the trim pieces and tapped the brads in place, I used clamps to hold everything in place till the glue was dry.

(I do apologize for not having more pictures, it's very easy to move ahead a couple steps without taking pictures, I'll try to explain to the best of my abilities.)

I placed 2 neodymium magnets one in the bottom on the inside of the sign and one on the base to hold the cover down while closed.

I then used 2 brass studs on the inside near the top to hold the key rings.

I'm very happy with the way this turned out, I think the Shou Sugi Ban technique is beautiful and very easy to do.

If you would like to know more about this process you can click here.

Thanks for looking, If you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them below.