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Step 1
Cut the sides, top and bottom pieces for one shelf out of 3/4-inch plywood in any size you want. Here is a simple suggestion: Cut the sides at 12 inches by 30 inches and then cut the top and bottom at 12 inches by 24 inches. This will give you a base shelf that is 1 foot deep, 2 feet wide and 2 1/2 feet tall.
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Step 2
Make the shelf by cutting a piece of the 3/4-inch plywood. Cut the shelf 1 1/2 inches shorter than the top or bottom pieces of the shelf so that it will fit inside the shelf unit. For the suggested dimensions in Step 1, cut a 12-inch by 22 1/2-inch piece.
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Step 3
Build the shelf unit by finding the center of the side pieces and connecting the shelf piece with a butt joint by using nails, screws or wood glue and dowels. Then attach the top and bottom of the shelf with butt joints similarly.
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Step 4
Repeat Steps 1 through 3 to create more shelf units, except do not make a bottom piece for the new units. This way you can stack the units while keeping evenly sized shelves.
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Step 5
Sand and finish the shelving units.
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Step 6
Attach a small piece of felt or other soft material at the bottom corners of the additional shelf units so that they can sit on top of each other without scratching or chipping the piece under it. Or, cut small holes into the top and bottom of each unit and use dowels for a more secure stack.
