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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - First project, maple bookcase

Posted: 1/9/2010 3:50:01 PM EDT

My first project, only real wood working experience is a semester in junior high school. Made a 6ft tall by 10in deep by approximately 2ft wide bookcase out of maple.
Used dowels for the joints. Originally I intended it to be able to be take back apart for moving but my drilling was not as precise as it should have been, and I had to widen a few holes in order to get the dowels to go in due to the holes not being lined up perfectly, so they weren't good joints without gluing. I ended up making the top piece glue onto the ends of the sides and the sides glue onto the bottom shelve and front piece.

I kept the idea of a removable back piece though and by taking it out it is possible to tip the bookcase over and stand inside it and carry it by holding in the middle so that it is balanced. Was really easy to bring it up from the basement this way.

The stain is Minwax Colonial Maple which had a bit more of a peachy/orangish tint than the can or sample display indicated. I also read online after getting about halfway done assembling it that maple is known as a difficult wood to stain evenly. Even with those two concerns I decided to go ahead with that stain and I think it turned out ok.

The clear coat finish was Minwax fast drying semi gloss urethane. I did 3 coats. I generally like the look of more coats on furniture but didn't have the patience to do it. Three with like sanding after each one ended up being enough to provide a smooth surface with enough glossiness for me.

clickable thumbnails, I'll edit in captions

Had to glue boards to get the width I wanted

My first use of my router, put in a groove on both sides to slide 1/4in plywood into for the back.

initial test fitting of the plywood in the groove

more test fitting

gluing the bottom shelf and front piece together.

test fitting

I used a roman ogee bit to route the overhang edge of the top piece

another angle showing the shape of the routed edge

test fitting the plywood again after assembling the main part of the bookcase

after staining. I think this was before any urethane

assembled without the shelves

close up of the shelves. they're adjustable

lower shelves

showing the front edge of the overhang on top

all done. I should have put a few more rows of holes up each side for the shelf holders, but it works ok with the cd binder. I think I might be able to do another shelf if I adjust each shelf down a little since the dvd cases have a decent amount of space above each one before the next shelf

Posted: 1/9/2010 7:55:31 PM EDT

[#1]

Looks good!!

Posted: 1/9/2010 8:18:53 PM EDT

[#2]

Looks like it turned out okay.
Next time use a biscuit joiner. Super easy, super strong. Much better than dowels.

Posted: 1/9/2010 8:58:47 PM EDT

[#3]

Very nice.

Posted: 1/9/2010 9:29:00 PM EDT

[#4]

Very nice first effort. Looks great.

Posted: 1/10/2010 7:39:53 AM EDT

[#5]

Nice job. That looks good. It turned out very well, especially considering it is your first big project.

Posted: 1/10/2010 7:55:04 AM EDT

[#6]

thanks
I learned a few things and have added a few tools to my want list by doing it.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - First project, maple bookcase

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - First project, maple bookcase

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - First project, maple bookcase