How to Build Bookcases

A secure place for your books and albums can help keep them organized and and make the room that they are in appear more tidy. This simple three-shelf bookcase can be a useful piece in any room of your house.

Things You'll Need

• • 1-by-14-by-72-inch board
• • 1-by-14-by-60-inch board
• • 1-by-16-by-32-inch board
• • 3 1-by-2-by-66-inch boards
• • 1-by-4-by-60-inch board
• • 1/2-by-30-by-34-inch plywood
• • Saw
• • Drill
• • Screwdriver
• • Hammer
• • Clamps
• • Tape measure
• • 44 1 1/2-inch wood screws
• • 4 2 1/2-inch wood screws
• • 12 1 1/4-inch wood screws
• • Wood glue
• • 8 finishing nails
• • 120-, 180- and 220-grit sandpaper
• • Pencil

Instructions

1. Cut the large pieces. Saw two 34-inch sides from the 1-by-14-by-72-inch board. Cut the 1-by-14-by-60-inch board to make a bottom shelf and middle shelf that are 28 inches. Sand each piece with 120-grit sandpaper.

2. Cut the support pieces. Take the 1-by-4-by-60-inch board and saw two 4-by-28-inch bottom rails. From the 1-by-2-by-66-inch boards, cut four 2-by-28-inch rails for the middle and top shelf. Cut out six 2-by-10-inch side rails. Sand the pieces.

3. Trim the top shelf to 15 1/4 inches using the 1-by-16-by-32-inch board and sand it.

4. Assemble the shelf frameworks. Make two 12-by-28-inch frameworks from 2-inch pieces for the middle shelf and top shelf. Glue the two 10-inch-long pieces between two 28-inch-long pieces to make a rectangle. Clamp each frame together and let dry. Secure each framework with wood screws. Screw two screws through countersunk holes in the two long rails into the four connections with the two short rails. Make the holes 1/4 inch and use 1 1/2-inch screws.

   Repeat the steps for a bottom framework with a 4-inch-high and 28-inch-long rail in front and back. Align the tops of the 4-inch rails and the 2-inch side rails.

5. Attach frameworks to the shelves. Turn the bottom shelf upside down. Lay the framework on the shelf so the rail tops lie flush on the shelf. Make two countersunk holes straight down in the front and back rail to set each screw 2 inches deep. The two countersunk holes on each side rail are 1-inch deep. Center the framework on the shelf so there is 1 inch in front and back. Secure the framework to the bottom shelf with four 2 1/2-inch and four 1 1/2-inch wood screws. Repeat for the middle shelf. Use eight 1 1/2-inch wood screws for the middle shelf.

   Do the same steps with the top shelf, placing the framework on the top shelf with 1 3/4 inches in front and 1/2 inch in back. Use the same holes and screws as you did for the middle shelf.

6. Put the shelves and sides together. Attach the bottom shelf to the two sides using two 1 1/4-inch wood screws sunk 1/4 inch in each side rail. Place the top shelf on top of the two sides so there is 3/4 inch in front and 1/2 inch in back. Secure to the sides with 1 1/4-inch screws through the side rails. Place the middle shelf at 23 inches and screw to the sides at the side rails.

7. Put the back on the bookcase. Set the 1/2-by-30-by-34-inch plywood on the back under the top shelf's 1/2-inch overhang. Glue on and clamp. Let dry. From top to bottom, hammer four finishing nails through the back into each side.

8. Finish the furniture. Sand the entire bookcase with 180-grit, and then 220-grit, sandpaper. Stain all the boards, or paint your favorite color.

Tips & Warnings

• • Measure the height of your books before choosing a shelf height.

References

• How to Build a Fixed-shelf Bookcase
• Wood Bookcase at Lee's Wood Projects