How to Make a Sturdy Bookcase

Build a sturdy bookcase for your reading collection.

Bibliophiles and avid readers sometimes have large collections of books. Building your own bookcase saves lots of money and allows for a customized container for your collection. You'll want a sturdy bookcase to hold the books, so choose a good material such as maple or cherry.

Things You'll Need

• 6 1-by-12-by-72-inch Boards
• 3 1-by-12-by-46-inch Boards
• 2 1-by-12-by-48-inch Boards
• 6 cement blocks
• Tape measure
• Carpenter's straightedge
• Wood glue
• Drill
• Screwdriver drill bit
• 2-inch wood screws
• Sandpaper
• Wood paint or wood stain
• Paintbrush

Instructions

1. Mark each 72-inch board "A" at one end. Mark each 46-inch board "B" at one end. Mark each 48-inch board "C" at one end. This helps keep the pieces in order for assembly.

2. Lay four "A" boards side by side with the wide side facing you. Make the ends flush. Apply wood glue to the interior seams between the boards. Place two cement blocks on each exterior side of the assembly firmly against the boards. The blocks act as a clamp, allowing the glue to set.

3. Set the remaining "A" boards on edge on the work surface, 4 feet apart. Set a "C" board at each end of the "A" boards, also on a narrow edge. Match up the corners to form a rectangle. Apply wood glue to the seams between the boards. Set the remaining cement blocks at the top and bottom of the frame to hold it as the glue dries.

4. Allow all glued pieces to dry. Remove the cement blocks when the glue is dry.

5. Drill screws through the tops of the "C" boards into the ends of the "A" boards in the frame. Set the screws roughly every 4 inches, starting about a quarter-inch from the ends. You will have four screws per side per board.

6. Lay the frame flat. Pick up the four boards you glued together and set them onto the frame. Match up the sides and ends so they are flush. This becomes the back of the bookcase. Screw the back into the frame, placing screws every 3 inches on all sides.

7. Flip the entire case over so the open side faces up. The short sides become the top and bottom of the case. Measure 18 inches from both the top and bottom of the bookcase and mark those locations. Measure and mark a third spot 18 inches from one of the other marks to find the middle. Set your "B" boards at those marks.

8. Remove the boards. Apply wood glue to three of the narrow sides on each board. Place the boards into the case at the marks you made, with the glued sides facing the interior sides of the case. Set a heavy object on each joint where the shelves meet the case. Allow the glue to dry. Use items somewhat lighter than the cement blocks for this step, to avoid damaging the bookshelves.

9. Drill screws through the sides of the frame into the ends of the shelves, setting the screws every 3 inches. Flip the bookcase over so the back faces up. Drill screws through the back of the case into the backs of the shelving.

10. Stand the bookcase up. Sand down all surfaces until smooth. Paint or stain the bookcase to taste.

References

• Popular Mechanics: How to Build a Bookcase;Rosario Capotosto; May 2000
• Lee's Wood Projects: How to Build a Wood bookcase