Hiding a Modem or a Router and Its Wires

I'm pretty sure that I'm not the only one that stares at the modem and its associated wires, and wondered "how can this mess be cleaned up". So after scouring the regular online stores (Amazon, eBay, Ali Express, etc.), I found a few example images online and decided to take a shot at my own version. This instruction will require a heated glue gun and a sharp cutting tool of your choice; please use the appropriate personal safety equipment, and proceed at your own risk. Let me know what you think of this Instructable.

Supplies:

- 4 hardcover books (measure your router before selecting the books as you may need more)

- Glue gun/superglue

- Ruler and pencil

- boxcutter or choice of cutting tool

First step is to clean up the wiring and line up any other equipment that you plan on hiding. After you've completed that, take the proper measurements to ensure that the space needed in the cavernous section of this project is large enough to fit the unit. A space for air flow should also be accounted for, as heat will build around the unit.

This is where you'll need to use a sharp blade of some sort, so please be careful, and cut away from your body. After the measurements have been done, the pages can be removed from each of the books. Keep in mind the orientation of the final arrangement, as you don't want to cut them all only to realize that the ends have been modified too much. Also, don't make the mistake I made and assume that the hardcover will sustain the passes of the boxcutter's sharp blade...I havent shown my wife the cuts I made in the craft table yet. Oops

At this point, you'll be using a hot glue gun, so please proceed with caution. It's a good idea to perform a dry-run or a mock-up of your project. Stack the books in the order that you have chosen, and clean up any edges inside the covers. Use the glue gun to seal the edges of each book. Add other books, or similar weighted objects, to the corners of the glued areas. This should ensure that you have a properly sealed area.

After allowing the glue to dry for about 20mins, I placed the finished project over the modem, and added an end-cap book to offset the look. Let me know what you think, or if you suggest any changes.

Costs:
- four books from the Goodwill ($2 each, under $9.00 after taxes)

- Glue sticks; used two from the pack (pack of 20, $3.00 at Walmart)

- Ruler, boxcutter (with blades), and pencil- all previously purchased