How to Build a Full Size Bookcase
- 1). Decide on the location and size of the bookcase. You will make it out of 3/4-inch plywood so take into account some structural consideration. The load capacity of the plywood limits the width and depth of the bookcase. Do not make it over 30 inches wide without a center divider. Typical books require 11 inches in depth to display them.
- 2). Put on your safety equipment.
- 3). Cut the side panels to the desired design height from the 3/4-inch plywood. Cut the top and bottom panel out of the same size plywood to the width of your design minus 1/2 inch. Use the table saw, setting the saw blade at 90 degrees.
- 4). Unplug the table saw and install the dado blade in the saw. Set the dado width to 1/2 inch and the height to 1/4 inch. Dado the inside edge of the sides, top and bottom panels along one of their long edges.
- 5). Unplug the table saw and adjust the dado blade to a width of 3/4 inch and a height of 1/2 inch. Dado a groove 3 1/2 inches up from the bottom and one at the top of each side panel. The dado will run the width of the side panels. You will cut all dados on the inside face of the panels.
- 6). Use a shelf pin guide to drill a series of holes 1 1/2 inches in from each edge. They will run along the long side starting 12 inches from the bottom up to 12 inches from the top. Glue and clamp the sides and bottom together, keeping the frame square.
- 7). Measure the width and length to the inside of the dados at the back of the bookcase frame. Use the table saw to cut a piece of 1/4-inch plywood for the back of the bookcase. Carefully glue and nail the plywood to the bookcase frame. Assemble with the back of the book case facing up.
- 8). Build a face frame for the bookcase with the 3/4 x 1 1/2 hardwood. The width of the stiles will be 1 1/2 inch and the top and bottom rail will be 3 1/2 inches wide. Cut the stiles to the total length of your bookcase design. Cut the rails 3 1/4 inches less than the width of your design. Put these together with pocket screws and glue from the back of the face frame. Router any decorative details into the styles before you assemble the face frame.
- 9). Glue and clamp the face frame to the front of the cabinet's sides, top and bottom. You will have a slight overhang of the face frame (1/8-inch on each side). Trim the overhang with a router and flush trim router bit to make it even with the sides.
- 10
Measure the inside dimensions of the bottom of your bookcase. Use that dimension and subtract 1/4 inch from the width and 1 inch from the depth. Cut 3/4-inch plywood this size for the shelves. The total number of shelves should be the total height in inches minus 24 inches. Divide that number by 12. Cut a piece of 3/4-inch face frame material into 1-inch widths and cut to the length of the front of the shelves. Glue and clamp one piece to the front of each shelf. - 11
Sand, stain and finish to taste.
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