How to Build a Basic Bookcase

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Hammer,
nails,
tape measure
measuring square
skill saw

Step 1

Neat tool, the more you use it the more uses you will discover.

The tools. Just about everybody is familiar with a hammer, tape measure and such but what the heck is a measuring square? They cost about eight or nine bucks sometimes less. Some are plastic but the best ones are metal. It will last you a lifetime and is a really handy tool. You can use it to line up shelves and make sure they are straight and square at the same time. You can also use it to mark your wood. It is money well spent.
Step 2

One by twelves will work great !

You will need to decide how big? You probably already have a rough idea. You just need to get it translated to actual dimensions. Eight foot lumber fits in a car the easiest and will do for a simple bookcase. I would use one by twelve's which are actually three quarters of an inch thick by eleven and three quarters wide. Sometimes they are only eleven and one half inches wide.
Step 3

Larger pieces of plywood are more econimical.

You will need a piece of one quarter inch plywood for a back. The big home stores will cut the plywood and the one by twelve's for you. You can figure your dimensions at home and let them cut all the pieces for you. I will go into more detail later. If you choose this technique you will have to be more accurate with your measurements. Plywood comes in four by four and four by eight sheets. It is more expensive to buy in the four by four size but it is still cheaper than a four by eight. In other words you get less wood for your money.
Step 4

Whoops!

Before you go to the store experiment with your size. I am going to stick with a size that uses no larger than a four by four sheet of plywood. Keep in mind if you build a shelf four feet long you will have to be careful how much weight you put on it. You can also save money and get some help by going in with a friend and building one for each of you at the same time.
Step 5

Pieces of unit.

The larger your shelf is the weaker it will be. Just keep that in mind as you go along. Have the store cut the plywood or cut it yourself to the size of the unit. Then you will need to cut two pieces of one by twelve three quarters of an inch shorter than the height of your unit. These will be the sides. One piece the width of the unit. This will be the top. Then one piece one and one half inches shorter than the width this will be the bottom and will also be the same size as all the shelves.
Step 6

Mark and cut accurately.

Lets take a look at just the plywood. It will need to be cut pretty accurately. In order to get it to the size you want three of the sides could be factory sides so the most you need to cut are one or two cuts. You should always be able to use at least two of the existing sides.
Step 7

It wobbles at first..

When you have cut all your pieces it is time to put it together. First nail the top sides and bottom together. The top goes on top of the two sides. The bottom goes inside the two sides. Use eight d finish nails.
Don't worry about the wobble that will go away when you nail the plywood on.
Step 8

Nail and check.

When the top bottom and sides are nailed together it is time to add the plywood. If it doesn't fit make sure you nailed the pieces in the proper places. You can use smaller nails to nail the plywood on. Six or four d finish nails should work fine. Put about four nails just to hold it in place then turn it over to make sure everything is square.
Step 9

It should be steady now!

With a board that is cut for a shelve you can check for square. It should fit anywhere from top to bottom. Then you lay the unit back on the floor and nail the plywood every four to six inches.
Step 10

Shelves can be fun.

Now you can decide how you want to space your shelves. How many will be determined by the height and how you need to use your shelves. I like to make the bottom one the largest. It takes one foot to fit large books and notebooks or scrapbooks. With the unit lying on the floor just place the shelve. Mark each end the same and nail in place. There are all manner of adjustable things for this but we are just building a simple unit. You can go that route if you want to build a more complex unit. It does make it more flexible but also more expensive.
Step 11

Follow the shape drawing the line as you go.

When you are sure your shelves are where you want them you can place the unit face down and nail the plywood to the shelves for the length of the shelf using the same spacing. Use your measuring square to locate the lines on the back of the unit.
Step 12

Make sure it can't tip over.

Just use the same method until all your shelves are in. Then paint or stain. If your unit is tall and you have carpet it may tend to lean . You also need to do this if you have little ones who might try to climb on it. Attach an angle bracket to the top and screw it securely to the wall.
Into a stud or a good anchor. After it is attached try to pull it loose. If you can't then it is ok.
Now its time to add your stuff!