The latest honey-do is two sets of Barrister bookcases (three cases next to two cases side by side two sets of each) to be made from cherry. I have begun making wide boards from skinny ones (g) and have 3 sets of plans (magazine how-to's). Problem is they all are designed to be against the wall and SWMBO wants these to act as a sort of room divider, both sides visible. The plans all call for 1/4" plywood backs (and I have no 1/4" cherry ply, nor any easily accessible) but I have a pretty good supply of rough sawn cherry. Question is whether I should go thru the trouble of making a laminated back (re-saw, join for two sides of 1/4 birch ply, etc.) or simply use solid wood (MUCH faster!)... if so eye appeal suggests the grain run vertically to match the sides, but that means edge mating a fair number of narrow boards to arrive at the 34-35" width of the bookcases. It also suggests a far greater range of seasonal movement as compared to running the grain perpendicular to the shelves. What'cha think... Laminate, vertical or horizontal grain? BTW I'm envisioning a frame and panel type placement, with the back panel slid into dadoes. Thanks in advance, Tom
- posted
19 years ago