How to Build Tower Bookcases
If you have a collection of books in storage you want to display, a tower bookcase is a great idea. A bookcase houses books and other media such as CDs and DVDs neatly, allowing for easy access. Building a 8-foot-tall by 3-foot-wide tower bookcase is a fairly simple task accomplished with a few tools, plywood and hardware. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 4 to 5 4-foot by 8-foot sheets of 3/4-inch smooth finish high-grade plywood
- Measuring tape
- Circular saw
- Face mask
- Goggles
- Electric sander
- Wood stain or paint
- Brush
- A box of 40 to 50 1 1/2-inch wood screws
- Screwdriver
Instructions
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Cutting the Pieces for a Tower Bookcase
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1
Measure a 3-foot by 8-foot rectangular piece on a sheet of plywood for the back of the bookcase. Cut this out with the circular saw.
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2
Cut two 1-foot 6-inch by 7-foot 10 3/4-inch rectangular side pieces using another sheet of plywood.
A depth of 1 foot 6 inches provides ample room for average-sized books and other media such as CDs and DVDs. -
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3
Cut out the top and bottom pieces for the bookcase. Both pieces are 1 foot 6 inches by 3 feet.
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4
Use 1-foot 6-inch by 2-foot 10 3/4-inch rectangles for the shelves. Cut out the number of shelves wanted on another sheet of plywood using these dimensions.
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5
Put on your protective face gear and sand any rough edges off the cut pieces with the electric sander. Use the brush to coat the pieces with wood stain or paint.
Constructing the Bookcase
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6
Lay the top and bottom pieces on a 3-foot edge parallel to each other 8 feet apart. Place the two side pieces in between them forming a rectangular frame Drive four screws along each end of the top and bottom pieces into both sides.
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7
Lay the back piece over the frame and line it up. Drive a screw every 6 inches around the edges down through the back into the sides.
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8
Stand the bookcase up and install the shelves where you want them. Drive four screws through both sides of the bookcase into the edges of each shelf.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Tools can cause injuries. Always wear protective goggles and use caution.
