How to Make a Bookcase With Melamine

Melamine shelves are strong enough to hold many items.

Melamine is an organic compound used to make many everyday items. This compound is mixed with chemicals to create a coating for particleboard lumber. The melamine coating not only makes this lumber more attractive but it may give it strength and prolong the life of pieces that are constructed from it. Melamine-coated lumber is not much more difficult to work with than regular lumber but you will need to use a special saw to avoid ruining it.

Things You'll Need

• Melamine-coated lumber
• Double-bladed table saw
• Melamine glue
• Corner clamps
• Measuring tape
• Melamine screws
• Drill

Instructions

1. Cut all the pieces for the bookcase from the melamine-coated lumber. Use a double-bladed table saw to prevent the coating from ripping away and to ensure smooth edges. You will need two boards that are 1-by-12 inches-by-43 ¼ inches, two that are 1-by-12-inches-by-33 inches, two 1-by-12-inches-by-33½ boards for shelves and one melamine-coated sheet that is 35-by-43 inches and about ¼-inch thick.

2. Build the bookcase frame first. Join one 1-by-12-by-33 board and one 1-by-12-by-43¼ board to form a 90 degree angle, with the short, narrow edge of the shorter board against the flat of the longer board and the edges aligned. Attach the boards with melamine glue and a clamp and repeat this step for the remaining 1-by-12-by-33 board and 1-by-12-by-43¼ board.

3. Let the glue dry and remove the clamps. Join the two L-shaped pieces you've made to form a rectangle. Apply glue along the joint and hold it with a clamp while it dries as you did before.

4. Remove the clamp when the glue is dry. Lay the wooden rectangular frame on a flat surface so the openings are on the top and bottom. Choose the side you want to be the front of the bookcase and make sure that side is pointed down with the backside facing up.

5. Set the melamine sheet onto the frame. Align the edges of this piece with the edges of the frame. Once you are sure the fit is correct, attach the sheet to the frame with melamine glue and let it dry completely.

6. Flip the bookcase so the open side faces up. Determine where you want the two shelves to be placed and mark the interior of the bookcase to indicate their locations. If you will be placing an item such as a television or vase on a shelf, measure it to make sure you are allowing enough space.

7. Install the shelves at the marked points with melamine adhesive. Push each shelf all the way in so it rests against the bookcase back. Let the glue dry thoroughly.

8. Reinforce all the joints with melamine screws; remember to screw into the shelf edges through the sides of the bookcase. Do not use regular screws, as these can split the melamine coating.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use caution and wear proper eye protection when using a saw.

References

• This Old House; How to Build a Small Bookcase; Jennifer Stimpson
• Mommy Words; DIY Simple. Small. Sassy. Storage.; Jan. 4, 2010
• Fix My Cabinet; Make Clean Cuts Both Sides of Melamine; August 2009
• Safe Mama: What is Melamine? A Crash Course
• McFeely's: Fastening MDF & Melamine Particle Board
• Roo Products, Inc.