I want to build a bookshelf.?

Question

The bookshelf will be approx. 80" or 72" tall/high on casters & the left and right sides will be covered with plywood. It will be framed with 2x4 wall studs...However, it will be open on both front & back sides only so both sides are useable (the left and right side will be closed with plywood).
Also, it will be approx. 36" wide x 23"deep. What do you think? Any tips, precautions, & is this doable? What is the best construction for this bookshelf?
It will be on casters so I can pull it away from the wall to access the other side. Thank you in advance. I don't want it to topple over and I don't want it to bow in the middle (under the weight of my books) or bow out on the sides (since it will be backless).
I am not rich so I am looking for a cost effective but safe & sturdy way to accomplish this project. I'm open to the suggestions of using other materials but it must be cost effective and safe. (example" 2x4 walls studs cost $1.79 each for an 8 foot stick/$14.00 for plywood sheets)

Answer 1

generally sounds good-- I'm not a carpenter but a DIY person.

1) how are you going to cut the wood to fit.
2) do ask a carpenter what thickness of board is needed to hold hard bound books--take the books and measure the 36" wide on the floor-- put the books in as if on the shelf-- weigh the books and double the weight for the other side-- for the information needed to answer the question.
3) do take a sketch with you when you talk to the carpenter and go get the wood-- lots of the folks in the wood section know a lot.
4) did you plan on a thin piece of wood between the books on each side? (might help keep them in place- not falling off the back--)and help with the bracing needed.
5) after you've figured the weight FOR ALL FULL SHELVES-- then you decide on the rollers for the bottom.
6) Have seen in catalogues bookcases (collapsible type) with a large section on the bottom for a box on wheels for storage open wood box, slat sides. Thought it was a good idea.
7) you'll need some kind of bracing for the sides. I'm not sure just what kind. I'm not sure the plywood will do the trick. You are putting a lot of bulky weight that will be dangerous if not done right. In fact the total weight may be too much for your floor!
8) Be sure and measure the height of your largest book-- to figure the gap between one shelf and another.
9) While at college, I used boards and bricks for bookshelves in my apartment-- all of which was easy to move and easy to dismantle.
good luck

Answer 2

Quite honestly by the time you have paid for veneered board (allowing that you won't easily get the thicker stuff) and then faffed about with it you'll spend more than it costs to buy from IKEA. Just buy it - much less risky an you are not left with a load of material over that you don't know what to do with. I built all my bookshelves (enough for 1000+ books) out of discarded particle board mainly from flat-pack wardrobes - that were obviously so cheap people could chuck them out whenever they redecorated. If I came across them (skips etc) I grabbed them. It was worth it because there was nothing on the market that would do - painted you would never know they weren't bespoke.