When I moved to Terre Haute, IN from Albany, NY, I gave away a cheap laminated particle board bookcase. Another one broke during the move. So, here I was, more than two bookcases shy of shelving my books, not knowing anyone in town, and in need to do something different after a long day at the office. I decided to build some bookcases. They are made from 12 inch deep poplar. My first woodworking powertool I bought was a router. The shelves are glued into dados that I cut into the sides with the router. At first, I nailed the shelves to the sideboards to hold them in place during the setting phase of the glue. I since bought enough 40" inch Bessey clamps that this is not necessary any longer. The backs of the cases are made from quarter inch plywood with a birch front. I glue and nail them to the back for added strength. The top blinds, with their arched lower side were an excuse to buy a jig-saw:) Well, they were the result of some catalog oogling with some friends of mine. I since added a light strip behind them, which makes for pleasant lighting in the evening. I since replaced all my particle board bookcases.Tools used:
* indicates that the tool was explicitly purchased for this project, or, that the project was a reason to purchase the tool
- Semi-gloss polyurethane
- Router*
- 40" Bessey clamps*
- Jig saw*
- Hammer*