Hi there everyone.
I'm new to this newsgroup, and was just looking for some information.
I'm very new at woodworking, and will be buying my tools as I know I need
them, but in the meantime, I want to build some bookshelves in my loft.
They need to be about 6 feet tall, and cover the entire wall, which is
13'6".
I've been looking online to see if I can find a website that gives some nice
plans for something similar to what I want to build, but I'm not finding
anything.
Does anyone have any suggestions of where I might be able to find some plans
for something like this, or should I just design something myself?
I am going to be taking some courses in woodworking, and already have a
couple of books on carpentry, but just wonder if anyone has any tips that
might help me out. (I already know that I shouldn't cut my fingers off)
Thanks
Chris
I suggest you go to the library and look at some books on woodworking or
home decorating. Also back issues of magazines like Woodworker, Fine
Homebuilder, Popular Mechanics, shop notes, workbench, etc. There should be
plans in any of them that you could find and adapt to your needs, in about
any style you could think of from contemporary to French provincial.
They will also will be for any level of expertise and expense.
Here you can research the library's catalog online which also gives me
access to several other libraries in the Northwest. I just mark the ones I
want, input my library card #, and the library orders them and sends them to
the closest branch to me for pickup.
Good Luck, tHAT
Chris wrote:
> Hi there everyone.
>
> I'm new to this newsgroup, and was just looking for some information.
>
> I'm very new at woodworking, and will be buying my tools as I know I need
> them, but in the meantime, I want to build some bookshelves in my loft.
> They need to be about 6 feet tall, and cover the entire wall, which is
> 13'6".
>
> I've been looking online to see if I can find a website that gives some
> nice plans for something similar to what I want to build, but I'm not
> finding anything.
>
> Does anyone have any suggestions of where I might be able to find some
> plans for something like this, or should I just design something myself?
>
> I am going to be taking some courses in woodworking, and already have a
> couple of books on carpentry, but just wonder if anyone has any tips that
> might help me out. (I already know that I shouldn't cut my fingers off)
>
> Thanks
> Chris
Chris, I do not want to appear condescending, but your easiest bet is going
to be do it the simple way. By that I mean build three or four cases, each
one third or fourth of the total width (outside measurement on each case).
Use pine 1x12x10's or 1x12x12's, whichever works out the more economical for
you for the shelves, 1x12x8 for the sides and 1/4" luan for the back of the
case. The reason for dividing the width by 3 is to reduce sagging from all
those heavy books sitting on those 3/4" shelves. Decide how high you want
each shelf and use 3/4 x 3/4 x 11 cleats on the side pieces to attach them
to the sides (using screws into the sides and shelves and glue).
Essentially what you are doing is making some long glue blocks to join the
sides and the shelves. On the back either run a rabbit (a 3/8 wide by 1/4
deep grove along the inside of the back side of the sides (two passes on
the table saw will do this nicely, but measure from the "OUTSIDE" of the
blade to the fence and REMEMBER which part of the grove you are cutting.
When you attach your cleats make sure that your shelves do not extend into
it. Then allyou have to do is cut your laun to size and tack it in place
on the sides and to the top and bottom shelves.
The approximate 4' shelf length will not overload the 3/4" shelf stock.
Another advantage of the narrow width is that they will be easier to move.
The reading will go a long way, but it is not a quick fix for a man who
needs bookshelves now.
Deb
The best I've found, and the ones I built, are from back issues of American
Woodworker, before it went down hill. They did 3-4 different projects that
all used the same basic construction technique. Each shelf standard
(divider) is a sandwich of cabinet ply/2x2/cabinet ply. These 3" thick
dividers provide a more substantial look and feel than a single 3/4"
divider. I drilled mine for shelf pins, but you can also use other systems
for the shelf attachment. You could also use doors or drawer units to break
up the shelves. I used floor to ceiling shelves. Mine shelf spans are 32"
for loads of hardback books. I can send you some pictures if you need them.
--
Ross
www.myoldtools.com
"Chris" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:VK28d.584062$M95.575835@pd7tw1no...
> Hi there everyone.
>
> I'm new to this newsgroup, and was just looking for some information.
>
> I'm very new at woodworking, and will be buying my tools as I know I need
> them, but in the meantime, I want to build some bookshelves in my loft.
> They need to be about 6 feet tall, and cover the entire wall, which is
> 13'6".
>
> I've been looking online to see if I can find a website that gives some
nice
> plans for something similar to what I want to build, but I'm not finding
> anything.
>
> Does anyone have any suggestions of where I might be able to find some
plans
> for something like this, or should I just design something myself?
>
> I am going to be taking some courses in woodworking, and already have a
> couple of books on carpentry, but just wonder if anyone has any tips that
> might help me out. (I already know that I shouldn't cut my fingers off)
>
> Thanks
> Chris
>
>
Hi Chris:
Suggest you save the following URL. Very helpful when researching a topic. I
just used it for bookshelf plans and found 300 hits. Good luck, JG
http://groups.google.ca/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&group=rec.woodworking
Chris wrote:
> Hi there everyone.
>
> I'm new to this newsgroup, and was just looking for some information.
>
> I'm very new at woodworking, and will be buying my tools as I know I need
> them, but in the meantime, I want to build some bookshelves in my loft.
> They need to be about 6 feet tall, and cover the entire wall, which is
> 13'6".
>
> I've been looking online to see if I can find a website that gives some nice
> plans for something similar to what I want to build, but I'm not finding
> anything.
>
> Does anyone have any suggestions of where I might be able to find some plans
> for something like this, or should I just design something myself?
>
> I am going to be taking some courses in woodworking, and already have a
> couple of books on carpentry, but just wonder if anyone has any tips that
> might help me out. (I already know that I shouldn't cut my fingers off)
>
> Thanks
> Chris
On Mon, 04 Oct 2004 02:40:53 GMT, "Chris" <[email protected]> wrote:
>Hi there everyone.
>
>I'm new to this newsgroup, and was just looking for some information.
>
>I'm very new at woodworking, and will be buying my tools as I know I need
>them, but in the meantime, I want to build some bookshelves in my loft.
>They need to be about 6 feet tall, and cover the entire wall, which is
>13'6".
>
>I've been looking online to see if I can find a website that gives some nice
>plans for something similar to what I want to build, but I'm not finding
>anything.
>
>Does anyone have any suggestions of where I might be able to find some plans
>for something like this, or should I just design something myself?
>
>I am going to be taking some courses in woodworking, and already have a
>couple of books on carpentry, but just wonder if anyone has any tips that
>might help me out. (I already know that I shouldn't cut my fingers off)
>
>Thanks
>Chris
>
Keep in mind...
Bookcases hold a lot of weight.
Shelves should be at least 3/4" thick, have a 1.5" lip, and not span
more than 30".
Fasten the top to the wall.
Make sure your floor can take the load.