How to Make a Tall Bookcase on Wheels

Move your books with ease using a rolling bookcase.

A rolling bookcase can serve a purpose in any room because it can be moved with ease. If your home features high ceilings, take advantage of all the vertical space by building a tall bookcase. Because plywood typically is sold in 8-foot sheets, build your bookshelf to that height to minimize the amount of cutting that's required. All of the materials you'll need for this project are available at hardware stores.

Things You'll Need

• 3/4-inch plywood sheets
• Measuring tape
• Saw
• Drill
• 1/16-inch drill bit
• 2-inch wood screws
• Pencil
• Level
• Wood putty
• Putty knife
• Sandpaper
• Primer and paint (optional)
• 4 small casters
• 3/4-inch wood screws

Instructions

1. Cut sheets of 3/4-inch plywood to the following sizes with a saw: 4-by-8-feet (one for the back of the bookcase), 1-by-8 feet (two for the sides), and 3-feet-10 1/2-inches-by-1 foot (six to eight for top and bottom pieces and for shelves).

2. Assemble a rectangle out of the two side pieces and two of the shorter pieces. The side pieces must sandwich the shorter pieces between them.

3. Drill three 1/16-inch pilot holes through each corner and then secure the box together with a 2-inch wood screw through each pilot hole. Countersink each screw head slightly below the wood surface in this and all other steps.

4. Lay the 4-by-8-foot sheet of plywood onto the box. Drill a pilot hole every 6 inches around the perimeter. Attach the plywood with 2-inch wood screws.

5. Flip the bookcase over onto its back.

6. Determine the locations of your shelves. You can space them however you want, but the measurements on each side must be exactly the same in order for the shelves to be level.

7. Mark the location of each shelf with a pencil line, using a level to ensure that they're all straight. Make your marks on the outside walls of the bookcase where the screws will enter.

8. Stand the shelves in the bookcase, lining them up with your pencil lines. Drill three pilot holes through the sides of the bookcase into each end of every shelf. Use 2-inch wood screws to attach the shelves in place.

9. Fill the screw heads with wood putty, scraping it smooth with a putty knife. Allow the putty to dry.

10. Sand the putty smooth with 120-grit sandpaper.

11. Prime and paint the bookcase as desired, or leave the raw wood color if you prefer.

12. Hold a small swivel caster against the bottom of the bookcase at each corner and screw each one in place with 3/4-inch wood screws. The thickness of the caster plates will prevent the screw tips from breaching the surface of the bottom shelf.

13. Stand the shelf on its wheels, roll it into place, and fill it with books or decorative items.

References

• "Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual: Completely Revised and Updated"; Reader's Digest; 2005
• "Home Improvement 1-2-3"; Home Depot; 2008