How to Frame a Box for Shelves

If you look at pre-assembled bookcases and balk at the price, you should consider building one yourself. For less than half the retail cost, you can build a more durable and customized shelving unit. All you need to know is how to make a box for the shelves to sit in. The box, once created, can be hung on the wall or used as a wall-inset shelving unit. The project here uses a box 16 inches wide by 18 inches high, although the height can be adjusted. The width is to accommodate studs should you decide to hang it up. Make the width 1 1/2 inches
shorter for an inset unit.

Things You'll Need

• 2 2-by-6-by-16-inch boards
• 2 2-by-6-by-18-inch boards
• 2 2-by-6-by-13-inch boards
• 4 1-by-4-by-20-inch boards
• 4 1-by-2-by-5-inch boards
• 2-inch wood screws
• Drill
• Drill bit
• Wood glue
• Measuring tape

Instructions

The Frame

1. Line up the two 16-inch boards parallel with the 6-inch sides vertical. Space the boards 18 inches apart. Line up the two 18-inch boards parallel with the 6-inch sides vertical. Set the ends of these boards between the interior sides of the 16-inch boards. Make the ends flush.

2. Apply wood glue to the seams at the four corners. Press the 16-inch boards against the ends of the 18-inch boards so the glue forms a bond. Allow the glue to dry.

3. Drill three screws through the sides of the top and bottom boards into the ends of the side boards.

The Back

1. Lay the four 1-by-4 boards on the frame parallel with the sides. Push them together so they are centered and cover almost the entire frame. These form the back of the box.

2. Apply wood glue to the seams between the boards. Press the boards together at the sides. Allow the glue to dry.

3. Drill two screws through the back of each board into the frame at the top and bottom. Drill a screw through the back into the frame every 3 inches along the side boards.

The Shelving

1. Measure and mark a 6-inch distance up the side of the frame, on the inside. Make a line across the wide face of the side at this mark. Measure and mark a 6-inch distance down the side of the frame from the top. Make another line across the wide face of the side. Repeat the process on the other side of the frame to create two lines on both sides.

2. Apply a bead of glue to the 1-inch side of the 1-by-2 boards. Line up the 1-by-2s along the lines on the inside sides of the frame and press the glued sides to the 18-inch boards. Make the front ends flush. These are the shelf holders.

3. Apply a clamp to hold the 1-by-2 boards to the sides. Allow the glue to dry before removing the clamp. Drill a screw through the frame side into the shelf holders, one near the front and one near the back of the holders.

4. Rest the 13-inch boards inside the box to form the shelves.