Y
ou can build a simple, functional
bookcase in no time using ¾ -in.-thick
stock from a local home center. Look
for 1-in. by 12-in. clear pine, the boards
that have the fewest knots. Make sure
the boards are relatively free of cup, bow,
twist, and crook.
Locating the shelves on each side
piece is crucial. To make sure the dadoes
line up properly, stack the side pieces on
top of each other and mark each shelf
location on the edge of both boards. You
can cut the shelf dadoes with a router, but
I prefer to use a dado set on the tablesaw
so I can dial in the width of cut. Adjust
the width of cut to match the thickness
of the shelves. Rearrange the dado set
to cut a^5 ⁄ 16 -in.-deep rabbet along the rear
edge of each side to accept the plywoodback. Lay out the decorative curves on
the top and bottom of the side pieces
using a compass or by grabbing a can,
cup, or anything round that will form the
shapes. Cut the curves with a jigsaw and
clean them up with a file or sandpaper.
Before assembling the case, sand all
of the parts and test the fit. When you’re
ready, run a bead of glue in each dado, set
the shelves in place, drill pilot holes with
counterbores, and drive in 1^5 ⁄ 8 -in. coarse-
threaded drywall screws. Screwing the
back into position will square the case as
the glue dries.
Finally, glue and screw the backsplash
above the back. Then plug the holes and
trim the plugs flush. After a final sanding
and the easing of all the sharp edges, the
case is ready for finishing.54 in.28 in. 11 in.Pine bookcase with classic lines
3 in.12 in.12 in.10 in.Plywood back,^1 ⁄ 4 in.
thick by 27^3 ⁄ 8 in.
wide by 45^3 ⁄ 4 in.
longSide piece is
rabbeted^7 ⁄ 16 in. along
rear inside edge to
accept back and
backsplash.15 ⁄ 8 -in. coarse-
threaded
drywall screw,
with half-round
plug; use a
plug cutter
(right) to cut
flush plugs.8 in.Backsplash,(^3) ⁄ 4 in. thick by
51 ⁄ 4 in. wide by
273 ⁄ 8 in. long,
hides top edge
of plywood
back.
51 ⁄ 4 in.
Rabbets join
backsplash cleanly
to side pieces.
To avoid having too much of the side
pieces overhanging the tablesaw
top when cutting dadoes, work from
each end toward the center.
DA D O E D S H E LV E S
Sides and shelves,
¾ in. thick
Dadoes,
¼ in. deep
Shelves,
109 ⁄ 16 in. wide
by 27 in. long
(^7) ⁄ 16 in.
DETAIL OF
RABBET
http://www.finewoodworking.com b u i l d i n g f u r n i t u r e 2 0 0 7^19
FWSIP08BF_TS.indd 19 6/6/07 4:09:55 PM