Difference between revisions of "Build a Bookshelf"
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#*Decide it you'll use it to house paperback, hardback or coffee table-sized books. For maximum versatility, this project uses adjustable shelving so any size book will fit. | #*Decide it you'll use it to house paperback, hardback or coffee table-sized books. For maximum versatility, this project uses adjustable shelving so any size book will fit. | ||
#*Standard bookshelves come in two-, three-, four- and five-shelf varieties, but you can make as many shelves as you want for your project. | #*Standard bookshelves come in two-, three-, four- and five-shelf varieties, but you can make as many shelves as you want for your project. | ||
| − | #Choose your wood. The wood you use will greatly impact the finished look of your piece as well as its cost and durability. Since solid wood could cost thousands of dollars, you'll likely want to use plywood with a hardwood veneer.<ref>http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/overview/0,,1080823,00.html</ref> Choose a 3/4" plywood for the body and shelves of the bookshelf, and a 1/4" piece of plywood for the back. | + | #Choose your wood. The wood you use will greatly impact the finished look of your piece as well as its cost and durability. Since solid wood could cost thousands of dollars, you'll likely want to use plywood with a hardwood veneer.<ref name="rf1">http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/overview/0,,1080823,00.html</ref> Choose a 3/4" plywood for the body and shelves of the bookshelf, and a 1/4" piece of plywood for the back. |
| − | #*A plywood sheet is 4' wide, but keep in mind that a saw blade takes off 1/8". Calculate how many 8' long boards you can get from one sheet and use that to figure out how many sheets you will need. For this project, you'll need just one sheet.<br><div style="background-color:#D2E9B8; color:#000; margin:0px; width:90%; padding:2px; float:right; border:5px; border-style:solid; border-color:#93B874; {{border-radius|15px}}">'''Wood veneers:'''<ref | + | #*A plywood sheet is 4' wide, but keep in mind that a saw blade takes off 1/8". Calculate how many 8' long boards you can get from one sheet and use that to figure out how many sheets you will need. For this project, you'll need just one sheet.<br><div style="background-color:#D2E9B8; color:#000; margin:0px; width:90%; padding:2px; float:right; border:5px; border-style:solid; border-color:#93B874; {{border-radius|15px}}">'''Wood veneers:'''<ref name="rf1" /><br>'''Birch:''' best choice if you plan to paint your bookcase<br>'''Maple:''' good base for a variety of stains<br>'''Mahogany, Teak, Walnut, Cherry:''' These specialty woods may require a special order. Use a clear finish so the beauty of the wood shines through.</div> |
===Cutting=== | ===Cutting=== | ||
| − | #Choose the right saw. Use a table saw or a circular saw to cut your boards. Cutting plywood can be difficult and dangerous, so it's important to set yourself up for success.<div style="background-color:#D2E9B8; color:#000; margin:0px; width:90%; padding:2px; float:right; border:5px; border-style:solid; border-color:#93B874; {{border-radius|15px}}">'''Circular saw:''' choose a carbide tip blade made for plywood. Lay the plywood good side down.<br>'''Table saw:''' invest in an 80 TPI plywood blade, designed for rip cuts.<ref>http://www.bobvila.com/blogs/cutting-plywood/</ref> Lay the plywood good side up.</div> | + | #Choose the right saw. Use a table saw or a circular saw to cut your boards. Cutting plywood can be difficult and dangerous, so it's important to set yourself up for success.<div style="background-color:#D2E9B8; color:#000; margin:0px; width:90%; padding:2px; float:right; border:5px; border-style:solid; border-color:#93B874; {{border-radius|15px}}">'''Circular saw:''' choose a carbide tip blade made for plywood. Lay the plywood good side down.<br>'''Table saw:''' invest in an 80 TPI plywood blade, designed for rip cuts.<ref name="rf2">http://www.bobvila.com/blogs/cutting-plywood/</ref> Lay the plywood good side up.</div> |
#Cut your sides. Start by cutting your long boards to the width you want. Remember that standard widths are 12" or 16"; for this project, our depth will be 12". Push the wood through the saw at a consistent rate to ensure a cleaner cut. | #Cut your sides. Start by cutting your long boards to the width you want. Remember that standard widths are 12" or 16"; for this project, our depth will be 12". Push the wood through the saw at a consistent rate to ensure a cleaner cut. | ||
#*Enlist the help of a friend. One of the challenges of working with plywood is that it comes in large 4' x 8' sheets,so it can be a bit difficult to handle on your own. Use saw horses or a roller table to also provide support. | #*Enlist the help of a friend. One of the challenges of working with plywood is that it comes in large 4' x 8' sheets,so it can be a bit difficult to handle on your own. Use saw horses or a roller table to also provide support. | ||
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#Drill the holes for adjustable shelving along the bookshelf sides. Since book sizes differ and your needs may change, it's best to make your shelves adjustable so that you can arrange and rearrange them as best suits you. | #Drill the holes for adjustable shelving along the bookshelf sides. Since book sizes differ and your needs may change, it's best to make your shelves adjustable so that you can arrange and rearrange them as best suits you. | ||
#*Clamp a pegboard (this will be your template for the holes)in place so that the first holes will be 4" above and 4" below the center shelf. | #*Clamp a pegboard (this will be your template for the holes)in place so that the first holes will be 4" above and 4" below the center shelf. | ||
| − | #**If you don't have a pegboard, you make a hole-drilling template out of ¾-inch pine cut to the same length as the bookcase sides. Use a drill/driver fitted with a ⅝-inch spade bit to bore a series of equally spaced holes in the template board. <ref>http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/step/0,,20186212_20429377,00.html</ref> | + | #**If you don't have a pegboard, you make a hole-drilling template out of ¾-inch pine cut to the same length as the bookcase sides. Use a drill/driver fitted with a ⅝-inch spade bit to bore a series of equally spaced holes in the template board. <ref name="rf3">http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/step/0,,20186212_20429377,00.html</ref> |
#*Use a drill bit that's the same diameter as the shelf-support pegs and drill holes 2" from the edge in 2" increments. | #*Use a drill bit that's the same diameter as the shelf-support pegs and drill holes 2" from the edge in 2" increments. | ||
#**Drill approximately 1/8" deeper than the length of the pegs. Put a piece of tape or a drill stop on the bit to guide you in drilling to the correct depth and take into account the thickness of the pegboard. | #**Drill approximately 1/8" deeper than the length of the pegs. Put a piece of tape or a drill stop on the bit to guide you in drilling to the correct depth and take into account the thickness of the pegboard. | ||
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#Sand the bookshelf. Proper sanding is essential to the final appearance of any finished surface and affects the success of the staining process. Stain will appear dark and blotchy if the surface isn't well-sanded. | #Sand the bookshelf. Proper sanding is essential to the final appearance of any finished surface and affects the success of the staining process. Stain will appear dark and blotchy if the surface isn't well-sanded. | ||
#*For best results, use a 150 grit sandpaper to remove all handling marks and raised grain. | #*For best results, use a 150 grit sandpaper to remove all handling marks and raised grain. | ||
| − | #*Use a hand block and/or pad sander to cover 100% of the surface with even pressure. Sand the entire surface, don't rely on your eye to sand only the spots that look irregular to you, sand the whole bookshelf. <ref>http://www.veneertech.com/PDFs/Ply_Tip_No_1.pdf</ref> | + | #*Use a hand block and/or pad sander to cover 100% of the surface with even pressure. Sand the entire surface, don't rely on your eye to sand only the spots that look irregular to you, sand the whole bookshelf. <ref name="rf4">http://www.veneertech.com/PDFs/Ply_Tip_No_1.pdf</ref> |
#Paint or seal the unit. The final touch is to put a protective coating on your new book shelf--whether that's paint or a clear finish. | #Paint or seal the unit. The final touch is to put a protective coating on your new book shelf--whether that's paint or a clear finish. | ||
#*Apply primer and paint. Primer helps the wood absorb the paint more evenly for a more uniform finish. Apply a coat of primer and let it dry. Sand the unit lightly and remove the dust with cheesecloth or a soft, cotton rag, Apply a coat of paint. After the first coat dries, sand again, dust and apply the final coat. | #*Apply primer and paint. Primer helps the wood absorb the paint more evenly for a more uniform finish. Apply a coat of primer and let it dry. Sand the unit lightly and remove the dust with cheesecloth or a soft, cotton rag, Apply a coat of paint. After the first coat dries, sand again, dust and apply the final coat. | ||
#**Choose a white primer if your paint color is light; choose gray if your paint color is dark. You can also have your primer tinted to match the color of your paint. | #**Choose a white primer if your paint color is light; choose gray if your paint color is dark. You can also have your primer tinted to match the color of your paint. | ||
#*Apply a clear finish. If you've chosen a more exotic wood for your bookshelf, you'll want to use a clear, polyurethane finish to highlight the natural beauty of the grain. Apply the first coat and let it dry before sanding with a fine grit sandpaper. Remove the dust with cheesecloth or a soft, cotton rag and apply a second coat. Again, let it dry before sanding with a fine grit sandpaper. Apply a third and final coat of the finish. | #*Apply a clear finish. If you've chosen a more exotic wood for your bookshelf, you'll want to use a clear, polyurethane finish to highlight the natural beauty of the grain. Apply the first coat and let it dry before sanding with a fine grit sandpaper. Remove the dust with cheesecloth or a soft, cotton rag and apply a second coat. Again, let it dry before sanding with a fine grit sandpaper. Apply a third and final coat of the finish. | ||
| − | #**Don’t spend a lot of time applying the finish by going over and over again. Just put on a nice thin even coat. Most small bubbles will come out on their own, or you will fix them when you sand. <ref>http://www.taylorcabinetdoor.com/PDF/ApplingClearFin_Web.pdf</ref> | + | #**Don’t spend a lot of time applying the finish by going over and over again. Just put on a nice thin even coat. Most small bubbles will come out on their own, or you will fix them when you sand. <ref name="rf5">http://www.taylorcabinetdoor.com/PDF/ApplingClearFin_Web.pdf</ref> |
== Things You'll Need == | == Things You'll Need == | ||
