I'm trying to make a book case with my dad, any suggestions?

Question

im trying to make a book case with my dad but we both are quite poor at making things can anyone help me with any designs or skills to making it, i would really be very happy with any sugestions and skills anyone can offer.

just not go and buy one its a father son thing

Answer 1

hgtv.com

Answer 2

I can't resist saying that making the bookcase with wood might prove less messy than making it with your Dad!

Seriously, though, a very simple bookcase can be made by getting your local DIY shop to cut some standard width (nine inches would be right) veneered chipboard into lengths equal to the width of your bookcase. They will also supply some "iron on" edging strip to cover the cut ends. These will be the shelves. To support the shelves, put a couple of bricks (happily,most bricks are about nine inches long) on the floor and lay the bottom shelf across them. Then lay three bricks, one on top of the other, at either end of the bottom shelf, and lay the next shelf across them, and so on. Don't build the thing too high, though, for obvious reasons. Best to make sure that your first two bricks are level, by wedging bits of hardboard under them if necessary, so the whole contraption doesn't lean out from the wall. Don't make the bookcase too wide, either, unless you build a third brick pillar up the middle - a row of books weighs a lot, and you don't want your shelves to sag too much.

There you are, and no tools needed, apart from the iron for the edging - best done when your mother is out.

Answer 3

Book cases need to be strong, but also esthetically pleasing.

The shelves need strength - books are heavier than you think.

The ends of the shelves need good support.
Assuming that this is a traditional style book case... with a plinth at the bottom, 2 sides, a top and a few shelves spaced out appropriately and a back, which will also aid to stop the whole assembly from collapsing sideways.

Have a look here - it might give you some clues... http://www.shelvingsystem.co.uk/?utm_source=Overture&utm_medium=PPC&utm_term=book+case+design

Answer 4

It really depends on what type of bookcase ya'll have in mind. Since you both are inexperienced wood workers, I would suggest you get a pattern with specific measurements and types of wood, etc. Also, you probably want to stay with a rather basic design. Consider the amount of work and degree of wood work/cutting versus the tools you have available. There are even several patterns available through the internet, or there are a host of books that contain simple patterns for bookcases. Maybe ya'll even know a fiend with a workshop that can assist with any special wood working tools you may need or can help. I have a shop and often help my neigbors, but they all know I do the cutting, it's a woodworker's "thang."

Good luck

Answer 5

The one thing I'd addd to all this good stuff is to make sure you use care in preparing and staining/painting the wood. Sand it well, especially the last stage with the light sand paper. Take your time. Run your hand over it to be sure its's smooth. Time consuming but time well spent. Dad and son bonding time, right? Paint or stain it slowly. The poly -- if you use it to give a stained bookcase a glossy finish -- isn't that difficult, but you'll need a lot of coats. Don't quit on the poly until it really shines.

Answer 6

Invest in a carpenters square and a counter sinking drill bit. My father liked to build stuff and was very intelligent. He rushed projects which would have really been great, but they were not square enough. Plans are a dime a dozen so I won't bore you with details. Hard won experience says: Measure twice cut once. If you buy the best materials you can afford use love and patience you can make yourself and heirloom, however humble. Good luck.

Answer 7

I suggest you look at other bookcase designs... and decide together what you want to create... Draw some pictures, don't rush.. Rome was't built in a day..... I would say when you have studied other shelfs you will see the basic design is easy... Don't forget to use screws and glue, this will make it last forever... especially when moving furniture around they tend to fall apart without both being used.... have fun and good look....One last thing be precise with your measurements... measure and measure again.....

Answer 8

perfect planning prevents poor performance , draw on a piece of paper the design you would like , if you are inexperienced make a small model , for best results i suggest veneered mdf, the downside could be a lack of tools , the better the tools the easier the job, good luck I hope you enjoy it

Answer 9

Why not buy an unfinished one and embellish it with moulding? Bookcases are essentially the same design--a box with adjustable shelves. You can then make it look any way you want by adding face moulding, crown moulding, anything. I do this all the time and resell on ebay for a wad.

Answer 10

The Wh Smith DIY book is written and updated every year and there are two different bookcase designs in there with all the materials and sizes and tools you will need to do the job.

B&Q do one as well.

Answer 11

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