Mike's Woodworking Projects

Bookcase

Year built: 1980s
Plan: My Design

My first furniture project was a bookcase. I don't remember much about this project. From the photo, you can see it has been relegated to Kathryn's closet but, still in use!

I used 3/4" plywood with simple joinery for the case. I used 3/4" dados to support the shelves. In retrospect, not a good idea (holes and pins are easier and you can move the shelves). I, very carefully, laid out the dados for each side aligning the dados and made the cuts on both sides with the same pass so they lined up. I then used my portable router with a CHEAP straight bit in in to cut the dados using multiple passes. I burned the heck out of the cheap bit filling the garage with smoke and the smell of burnt plywood. Kind of embarrassing! Oh well, you live and learn. Finally, I attached a solid 1/4" edge band to the exposed plywood edges of the case and shelves using brad nails and glue. Stained and Poly (I think) for the finish. For a first project, it turned out pretty good and we still use it today.