DIY Metal Bookcase

Sturdy pipe frames support shelves in a metal bookcase.

A metal bookcase adds personality to a room. Metal bookcases are industrial style with a utilitarian twist. Unlike expensive wood bookcases, they're budget-friendly and don't fall prey to stains. Made from metal pipes and pieces of wood, these sturdy shelves take half a day to build and provide support books, storage boxes, knick-knacks and other items.

Things You'll Need

• 24 four-way right-angle steel pipe joints
• 24 10-inch steel pipes 1/2 inch thick
• 14 36-inch steel pipes 1/2 inch thick
• 14 12-inch steel pipes 1/2 inch thick
• 6 to 7 38-by-14-inch planks of plywood
• 4 5-inch steel pipes 1/2 inch thick
• 4 three-way right-angle steel pipe joints
• 5 flanges
• Clamping pliers
• Tape measure
• Duct tape

Instructions

1. Attach one 5-inch pipe and six 10-inch pipes using six four-way joints creating one long pole. The 5-inch pipe goes on the bottom. At the top, attach a three-way joint. To tighten it slightly, insert a spare piece of pipe into the joints and use it as a lever, or tighten the assembly with clamping pliers. Keep the joints somewhat loose for future adjustments and make sure the openings in the joints all face the same direction.

2. Repeating this procedure three times completes three more poles for a total of four. Make sure they are identical.

3. Lay the four poles flat on the floor. For two of the poles, attach seven 12-inch pipes into the open joints creating ladder rungs. Pull them very tight with pliers.

4. Attach the remaining two poles to the other sides of the rungs creating two completed ladders. When you screw the 12-inch pipes for the rungs into the remaining poles, you automatically loosen the rungs' connections to the opposite pole. Tighten them until both long poles are somewhat tight and secure. Test the rungs’ strength by sitting on them.

5. Place one ladder flat on the floor and screw in all 14 36-inch pipes, seven on each side of the ladder. These are the shelf supports. Tighten them and duct tape everything into place around the joints.

6. Place the other side ladder on top of the 36-inch pipes, which are sticking straight up in the air. Screw in this side ladder's joints to meet the long pipes and complete the frame. You'll have to screw out the other side slightly to screw in the new side.

7. Attach four flanges to the 5-inch pieces of pipe at the bottom for the structure’s feet.

8. Cut the four corners off each plywood plank making room for the pipes. Two inches should be enough.

9. Stand the metal frame upright. Sliding the plywood pieces into position on the pipe frames creates shelves.

10. Remove the tape from the joints and start filling those shelves.

Tips & Warnings

• Because steel is so sturdy, you can vary the bookcase’s size. Using smaller pipes creates a more compact bookcase.

• Make sure all of your pipe pieces are the right length. Even a few inches variation leaves the finished bookcase wobbly.

References

• Jamie Zawinski: The Industrial Bookcase
• Metastatic: An Industrial Standing Desk