Re: Newbie looking to make a 4'x3x 14" bookcase

[Mike G]

Hi Ben

Yes it is perfectly possible to do the job you want with the tools you have on hand though I think a set of chisels would be of great assistance also. Not particularly easy, but, doable.

[MJ Wallace]

Ben:

Look around using Google and you'll find a lot of free plans for similar bookcases. The fish tank might be tough to support, I'd would want to get the weight first, but the books should be no problem.

I'd try the magazines: "Wood", "American Woodworker", "Popular Woodworker", etc. first. Then try Black and Decker they have a LOT of free plans on their website. As do Shopsmith and other tool makers. Also Miniwax also had a couple of bookcases if I remember.

MJ Wallace

[peter]

If you want the bookcase ot be a full 14 inches deep, the best wood to use is plywood. Three-quarter inch for the sides and shelves,

1/4 inch for the back.

The best way to do this with minimal tools is to use cleats on the uprights for the shelves to sit on. This saves you having to make a dato but still gives you a strong shelf. You can make the cleats out of 1x2s or--if you want somehting fancier--pieces of molding.

Another way to do it is to make the shelves adjustable by installing metal tracks which take small slelf-holders.

Good luck.

Peter

[Ramsey]

Good advice. Be sure you use BIRCH plywood and not just "plywood". Birch is much stronger, smoother, stable.etc. I use the metal standards because I inevitably need to adjust shelves after a year or two. Seems like bottom shelf needs to be 14" to accomodate map books, and the like.