Beginning Woodworking: Building a Simple Bookcase

[@gc2161]

This is the best video on bookcase building. And thanks for showing us how to do it with simple tools. Thank you.

[@AffordBindEquipment]

After over 45 years in the cabinet trade, several things I would suggest: Glue the back on. Over time, the nails will loosen up or someone will shove something heavy into the bookcase and knock the back loose. The nails become simply clamps to hold the back on while the glue dries. The other thing would be to add a piece under the top at the back, maybe a 2 inch wide piece (with the 2" vertical) . In the trade it's called a "hanging rail". I know this won't be hung off the floor, but it adds another place to nail the back to, and if you want to screw the cabinet to the wall, it's done through the rail, not through the back which has no strength. If one looks at older bookcases, the backs are loose because they were no glued, and as you mention, the back is what keeps the bookcase from racking and falling apart. Otherwise, good job. For those who don't have the tools, the shelves could have been butt nailed in place (without the rabbit) and then 3/4 x 3/4 cleats glued and nailed under each end of the shelf for strength.

[@001desertrat3]

Keith: I watched my Father build a pair of bookcases identical to yours, over 60 years ago. My Father never had a Router, he cut the dados and rabbet on a table saw. After the final sanding, he painted everything with a Flat White filler/base coat. When the filler/base coat was dry he painted everything with a Semi-Gloss Beige Paint; with the shelves being painted with a Semi-Gloss "Light Sky Blue" Paint. We're still using those bookcases 60 years later. -

[@imrichdo]

Thank you for pretty good idea with table saw.

[@JonDunnmusician]

FUNCTIONALITY

[@lydiahiott6164]

I did too!! It was my fathers first project. I was so proud of him. I have the bookcase today♥️

[@luisjosecampos9827]

This is an amazing video. Simple, easy and without distraction. Thank you Sir.

[@CelticSaint]

'It's not fine woodworking, it's functional woodworking'. That sums up my attempts thus far. Thank you.

[@briankrian3834]

This could be fine woodworking. Just spend some time and select the best pieces of wood. Don't be afraid to ask the store to bring out another bundle to pick through. Next experiment with different shades of stain and clear poly on scrap wood. Apply your selected shade to your finished product and you'd be surprised how well it will turn out!

[@csabagerlicze3102]

I'm a beginning woodworker I was looking for such a video and I found it. Very good video. Simple and great. I will use shoe storage. I'll put in several shelves. My wife has a lot of shoes. Thanks.

[@GalaxyWhimsy]

Thanks for taking the time to make and share this video with us! Its super helpful!

[@loridaniels9452]

Great woodworking men sharing their time & experience Thank you

[@simonacuthbert1]

Thanks, Keith, for all your fantastic, interesting and educational videos. Watching you work made me realise how stupid I was when I ignored my twice weekly woodworking and metalworking lessons at school. Now I know what I know, these crafts should be a compulsory part of every child's curriculum without exception. Keep up the good work, Keith, your enthusiasm, dedication and commitment is a true inspiration.

[@Hotrodelectric]

OMG!! Everybody run for the hills1 Keith's feeling his woodworking oats again!! Nice, simple starter project. My wood skills run to Lincoln Logs and gluing popsicle sticks together.

[@VintageMachinery]

+Hotrodelectric Hang one, there will probably be more woodworking down the road. I know of at least one other wood project that I am going to have to knock out real soon....

[@bornfacelingz]

It's more helpful to me and I have now express on wood work just keep up giving us more ideas thanks again for everything

[@greenpugfighter]

Thank you for your video, I have a endless supply of broken pallets to use and this has been the most useful video

[@swarfrat311]

Keith, I'm not really into woodworking, but it always amazes me when someone builds something. They make it look so simple. I guess it is when you know what you are doing, but I have a hard time nailing 2 boards together! Thanks for sharing your knowledge of woodworking and for showing us how to make such a functional project. Have a good one, Dave

[@VintageMachinery]

+Swarf Rat Thanks Dave. I know most people subscribe to my channel for the metal working but I do woodworking too and you guys get to see whatever it is that I am working on....

[@stormbytes]

Very much enjoyed watching this perfect beginner project! Very approachable and unintimidating for the beginner. I also like how you go about resolving imperfections and minor goof ups. Very nicely done video thanks!

[@mashvillekim3]

thanks for taking the time to share this. Its helped demistify woodwork projects. However i think some of your tools are abit advanced for a beginer.

[@VintageMachinery]

+Dan Kim I tried to keep it pretty basic. If you are going to get into woodworking, there are a few tools that I think you just have to have, like a table saw and a router.

[@josephmagedanz4070]

Thanks, Keith. This reminded me of when I was a kid working with my dad when he did wood working projects. Both of you are very fussy workers, hence the good results. Thanks for sharing. Joe

[@VintageMachinery]

+Joseph Magedanz I am typically wanting to do more challenging projects, but sometimes you just need to knock something like this out!

[@carver3419]

Nice project, Keith ... I'd like to offer a couple of minor hints: 1) Drill the holes beforehand from the inside of each dado. 2) Set the toe kick back ¼" for a nicer effect.

[@jusb1066]

+Floris Brant maybe its for the workshop more than the home, so the bit of extra support from the front panel being forward is handy, we shall let keith slide perhaps :} its better than my nailed together plywood!

[@crazymanmichael8386]

+carver3419 re #1 then he would have to countersink and counterbore for the screw heads and plugs eoubling the drill work, and to what benefit? re #2 that would give a nice effect without any extra work.

[@crazymanmichael8386]

+crazymanmichael also re #1 he would still have to drill the screw holes into the shelf to avoid the risk of splitting the shelf.

[@VintageMachinery]

+carver3419 You would still have to drill the outside of the holes to make the countersink, so I think it would be faster to just mark them as I did and drill from the outside. But your method would assure that you were right in the middle of the dado.

[@carver3419]

+Keith Rucker - VintageMachinery.org "But your method would assure that you were right in the middle of the dado." I have to admit that I got this idea from Tommy Silva on "This Old House". True, you would still have to drill into the endgrain of the shelves and counterbore the sides, but at least you could get starter holes that were well placed without measuring and marking. In any case, please keep up the excellent videos.

[@TwentyThree-23]

I've been reading a lot lately and I now have a huge collection of books. The shelves at Target are flimsy and weak with the wood bending with the weight of my books. I feel this bookshelf is sturdier and I'd love to try and make my own. Thank you so much for the upload and for sharing.

[@dsanders74]

Thank you. I wanted to make a book shelf. You just encouraged me to start soon. I need something easy.

[@fpsMAGEZ]

I've been eyeing and planning and wanting to get into carpentry lately, this video really opened me up to the accessibility of it. Having an eye for detail, being a union technician mainly doing thermo king installs my itch has just been scratched like there's no tomorrow. Taking the ol' F-250 up to home depot right now! You've sparked a fire sir!

[@rickl.orchids]

....I enjoy every show Mr Rucker, would love to see more wood working from you. With that huge shop, and the new one being built soon.........should be no end to wood and metal working projects. Thanks for all the effort to share your work.

[@VintageMachinery]

+Rick L I am very anxious to get the new shop built. I am hoping that they will start working on grading for the concrete slab this week! It has been so wet here the past three weeks that they have not been able to get started.

[@cosmickatamari]

This video answered a lot of questions I have about a bookcase I'm going to be building. Thank you!

[@ianbutler1983]

I thought I clicked on the wrong link when I saw you next to a pile of wood! I really enjoy all your videos, Keith and it is nice to see you mix things up a bit. Custom-sized, cheap, and quick utility shelving is useful in many places.

[@VintageMachinery]

+Ian Butler Thanks - you guys get to see whatever it is that I am working on in the shop and this week it happened to be a wood project!

[@bullettube9863]

One of the first projects I had to make in wood shop was a book case similar to this one, except we had to use hand tools only. It was not easy but it came out looking good and is still in use by my grand-daughter. Hand tools can be bought a few at a time, go for quality over price, buy the essentials first and the fancy gadgets later. While a router is a handy tool, anyone interested in wood working and has the space, they should always consider a good quality table saw as their first power tool. With practice on scrap wood first, you can make perfect dadoes very easily. And remember, the beginners best friend: molding! Fancy molding not only looks good, it can make up for misaligned edges. LOL!

[@61066clocks]

Good Video Keith, You finally have one I can relate to since Carpentry is my trade, Good helpful tips for beginner woodworking, I now this was a quick and simple bookshelf, Not to get technical, but. making the sides 1/4 inch wider with a continuous3/8" wide x 1/4" deep rabbet would have hid the end grain of the back panel and made squaring a breeze, and giving a little more rigidity,thanks for Sharing ,I always enjoy

[@VintageMachinery]

+TIM WILSON You are very right on inseting the back panel. I have done this on many pieces of furniture I have done over the years. As I have mentioned already in the comments, for this particular piece, it was more important to get the job done quick than to take the extra time to do that though.

[@61066clocks]

I kinda figured that Keith, No disrespect on that comment, thanks for all You do with the very good videos, have a blessed Day

[@JohnCurtisE]

+TIM WILSON I think it is fine that you offered your opinion as it helps those of us who are reading the comments so we can get multiple perspectives and ideas. Thanks to both of you.

[@Chimp_No_1]

A great help for new woodworkers. Thanks.

[@cryptozoid2433]

Great video! Just like someone here commented, at this point in life, I felt like I needed to learn woodworking, but, unlike my friend here, my parents don't object. Thanks Keith for the instructions. Those plugs did look soft though when they were cut out, and then hard when sawed. :D

[@VintageMachinery]

Good luck as you embark on a new and rewarding hobby!

[@Dan.Whiteford]

This is just what I need, thanks, I also can see what tools and equipment I need to acquire to accomplish such tasks.

[@VintageMachinery]

+Dan Whiteford My pleasure!

[@brykard7885]

Very Nice. Most videos you watch you would think the dado/rabbit were dead. Nice basic book case indeed!!!

[@VintageMachinery]

+B Rykard I guess I am just old school in my woodworking like I am with my metalworking....

[@tonydiaz9145]

Nice job there and great choice of wood for a basic project.

[@fitbit9509]

Nice video, Keith! I am glad that I found your channel. Keep the good videos coming 👍🏻👍🏻

[@R1824]

Very nice video, thanks for sharing your expertise, I wish I had your knowledge. I like the way you explained in very simple way and I hope I will be able to make one nice one like yours...it always look simple but once you start than the problems starts. Thank you so much.

[@bcbloc02]

I always put a 1-1/2 wide strip across the front of the shelves to give the shelves some extra support. I find that if I don't the shelves sag under the weight of books. Thanks for sharing this little project.

[@VintageMachinery]

+bcbloc02 I have used that trick before myself. It does add to the thickness of the shelves though and with some bookcases, it makes them look a bit too "heavy" for my liking. But sometimes function has to be put before form and if you need the extra support it is a good way to get it!

[@bcbloc02]

Keith Rucker - VintageMachinery.org Function follows form, you must have noticed my concrete blocks and 2x's for bookcases in my shop.:-)

[@dalebritton8802]

+bcbloc02 ....While starting out in woodworking it's best to pick a plan that complements your skill level. Have you made anything from wood before? If not, then pick out a very basic plan for your first project.. Visit => www.woodworking-new.tumblr.com

[@bcbloc02]

Dale Britton I don't know what my skill level is. How do I figure that out?

[@Blagger3000]

+bcbloc02 I use hardwoods for bookcases for that very reason. You tend to get little or no deflection with hard woods providing the shelves are not too long and overloaded.

[@graffiti44012]

I'm a freshman in high school this year and I am just getting into wood working and I love it. I'm working on a beautiful clock made outta cherry

[@VintageMachinery]

+Robert Chandler Very cool! Cherry is my favorite wood to work with. I have fond memories of my wood shop days in high school. You are lucky that your school still has a program, so many of them have been shut down!

[@ChrisB257]

Used to do a lot of woodwork - takes me back watching that - nice job Keith.:)

[@VintageMachinery]

+ChrisB257 Thanks!

[@ulrikefleischer2480]

+ChrisB257 > Hey guys have you tried >====>> woodorking.tumblr.com

[@garyfreaney3274]

+Ulrike Fleischer this is a fake comment that brings you to teds woodworking

[@michaelreyes3510]

Here are a lot of great woodworking plans that you can try out: HootWood.com

[@louishampton9532]

The subjects covered in this woodworking website *TopFineWoodworking. Com* varies from wood types to tool types and uses. A few other subjects range from the various kinds of wood along with their distinct levels of difficulty when it comes to managing them. If you are still a beginner in wood working, then you will find this book very beneficial.

[@garyc5483]

Something a little different makes a nice change Keith. I still have a little trouble with "Americanisms". In wood working parlance around the rest of the world a "dado" is a " rail or moulding fixed on a wall at chairback height to prevent damage to the wall or its décor". a rabbet or rebate is a groove cut in a piece of material as an aid to join 2 pieces together at 90deg's". Sorry to be such a picky so & so. :-) It must be because I am getting old and ornery. I still love your video's whatever or where ever they are. I always look for them every week. I am retired and still do not get time to do what you pack into a week. I admire how you balance work/family and leisure into you life. The book case is a nice project for some body learning the trade to start with. Looking forward to the next project. I am not sure why people give a thumbs down when you take the time and effort to make these "free" video's for our pleasure. I prefer metal chips to wood chips but its your channel to do as you please and I am grateful for anything that you put out. People don't have to watch as the subject is in the title. I give it a big thumbs up. Sorry for going on so long. Thx for sharing and regards from the UK

[@VintageMachinery]

+Gary C Interesting about the "dado" term. Here i the US, the rail on the wall is called a "Chair Rail" as it was set at a height to protect the chairs in the room from damaging the wall. A "dado" is a slot cut in a piece of wood across the grain for another piece of wood to fit into. We even have "dado heads" for our table saws to cut these with! As for the rabbit joint, I think that what you describe is the same thing that we do here. It may not have been evident in the video, but my rabbit joint was a cut made to join two pieces together at a 90 degree angle as you describe - but a rabbit joint is open on one end while a dado has both a top and a bottom.

[@phatgagurl]

Thank you !! Great tutorial ! I am going to build my first bookshelf using your video.

[@earlybro19]

Very nice. Could you use a Brad nailer instead of the extra time of counter sinking, plugs, and flush cutting?

[@therealfranklin]

Great video. I have to build a couple for my wife (well, and me, too. We kinda have a "thing" for books), but I think instead of dados, I'll just do 1/4round nailed to the sides, seeing as how I don't have any power tools. And a bit taller, since we have 9-1/2ft ceilings.

[@VintageMachinery]

+therealfranklin That is the great thing about a project like this, it is easy to adapt to whatever your needs are!

[@PYC000]

I appreciate this lesson on building a simple bookcase. I guess you have to have several sets of large clamps, a router a button punch machine, a flat saw, etc. Will have to get those.

[@eus9]

Very useful and informative; clear and easy to understand! Cheers

[@fat70]

good work i enjoy the way you explain it , i think i will give it a try to make it , thanks

[@vijaykumarmuthukrishnan6648]

Nice and simple..........................Very helpful.

[@VintageMachinery]

+Vijaykumar Muthukrishnan Thanks!

[@Mirta1950]

Vijaykumar Muthukrishnan a

[@geraldharvill4699]

When I was a young boy, they did that for plug cutting. They would do all the plugs, then turn it on the side and use a band saw to cut the bottoms of the plugs. Makes it real easy and can cut a lot in little time.

[@MiguelGonzalezCompean]

Great idea. Thanks for the video. Clear some planning for bookshelves of my own. Nice video. my best regards

[@VintageMachinery]

+Miguel Gonzalez Compean Thank you!

[@tjdphotography]

Nice vid! I need to get one of those counter sink bits.. I just started woodworking and making some project vids. I always pick up something from these how to vids. Thanks for making them!

[@VintageMachinery]

Thank you!

[@zhangjack1987]

very helpful ,www.fdwoodworkings.com/ hand scraped floor machine

[@GOVAUS1]

Love it. I still have CDs and need a storage for those. Will do this very soon.

[@cortezbrown3968]

This is an incredible worth for money [Link Here== *TopFineWoodworking. Com* ]. I have been looking for something like this for quite a while now. I'm happy there are opportunities like this out there. This woodwork plan made a clear presentation with regards to building sheds. Much thanks to you.?

[@nickdunbar2967]

Thanks Keith. Appreciate your time and knowledge.

[@VintageMachinery]

+Nick Dunbar Thanks Nick!

[@brokenredflag]

super helpfull!! best vid. on how to make a book shelf ive found on you tube!! and il need it. im making a book shelf for my colectors dolls.

[@HeronSight]

You're a really skilled guy, This is a great video!

[@MattsMotorz]

Good lookin' shelf you've got there Keith! I really like that flush cutting saw.

[@jusb1066]

+MattsMotorz I have a spare plane blade i use to cut off those caps or dowels flush, you lay it flat and a bit of sideways action cuts it pretty easy after a couple of goes, and less likely to cause scratches on the side around the cut

[@VintageMachinery]

+MattsMotorz That saw is one of the handiest tools that I have in my wood shop!

[@RoelTyros]

Hello Keith, Very nice that you also made a video with some woodworking and talking about woodworking, I did also for the last two weeks a lot of woodworking. I made a kind of wood plates with a plastic finish at the ceiling and walls of the hallway here in my house. Next project will be a table with glass in it so therefor great that you showed how to use the router. I have a router with lots of different cutting heads for it but I didn't use a router before so I have to learn how to use it at the best way. Beside, about cutting big pieces of wood, here we have a shop called Gamma where they cut it for free when you have a visitor's pass/card. Much easy'er for me because also for to transport it in my car I can't go bigger than about 2 meters and 1 meter in height. I hope you have maybe some tips about using the router or maybe when you have a project for working with a router, I hope you can make a video about it. Anyway thanks for the video and many greetings from Roel !

[@VintageMachinery]

+RoelTyros I am sure that I will have some more router work down the road and when I do, I will be sure to cover what I know!

[@1stage]

Nice! Back to basics, and a great change of pace!

[@VintageMachinery]

+Sean Harrington Thanks Sean!

[@patclaar8090]

I didn`t plan to use this woodworking book, “pepe amazing plan” (Google it) but rather curious about it. I had been truly impressed right after trying it. I was trying to learn more about the art of wood working, and was not disappointed. Many topics were covered, including everything from wood types to developing your workshop.

[@ianbertenshaw4350]

Nice and easy bookshelf ! The only thing i would have done is to use a piece of wood the same thickness as the stuff you are cutting a dado in ( rebate for us aussies) on the exit side of the cut to stop blow out . Used to watch the new yankee workshop , i miss that show as it taught me a great many things. I hope you continue to show some woodworking Keith as there may be a few viewers that want to make benches, shelves or some storage for their workshop but may not have the basic knowledge or skills to give it a go . Ian.

[@VintageMachinery]

+ian bertenshaw I am sure that when I get my shop built, there will be multiple woodworking projects in doing just that - building cabinets, benches, drawers, shelves, etc.....

[@MichaelDavis-nn5yj]

Thank you for a good video. You take care Michael from Australia.

[@VintageMachinery]

Thank you Michael. I have lots of viewers from "down under"!

[@LightAndSportyGuy]

Since the clockwise rotation of the bit pushes the router to the left as you move it forward, I think it is better to put the guide on the left instead of the right. I usually remember to do this after I mess up the first dado. ;-)

[@cheeto4493]

+GeoffreyThorpe123 Same here, except I usually just end up pulling the router instead of a pushing. I'm surprised he didn't clamp the boards down when routing. Mine will walk themselves off the table if not secured.

[@lucassmith2328]

If you want some great woodworking plans then go here now: HootWood. com

[@undrasmith1087]

Go here now if you want some great woodworking plans: WoodFine.xyz

[@bbtjd001]

Keith, I enjoy all of your videos. You have a very easy going style that makes whatever project you're working on not seem so intimidating. It gives me enough courage to get out in the shop and try new things. How big is the new shop going to be? Looking forward to a tour of the new place. Thanks Bart

[@VintageMachinery]

+bbtjd001 My new shop is going to be 42' by 80' with half being a wood area and half being for metal working.

[@mikek3094]

Thanks Keith! Very informative video!

[@Mayaathome]

Thank you for the video! We are going to adjust and make 5 shelves. Great instructions. We have a woodworking shop to do this at, which is lucky. :)

[@leksey7870]

Good shelf for books. Great job. Like!

[@VintageMachinery]

+Аleksey Bek Thank you!

[@ElectricGears]

For those that don't have a flush-cut saw for the plugs, use some strips of masking tape on one side of a regular hand saw. You can build up the thickness to match the set of the teeth and then it won't scratch up the panels.

[@VintageMachinery]

+ElectricGears Very good tip! I have done that before, but not since buying that handy flush cutting saw!

[@ulrikefleischer2480]

+ElectricGears >

[@felixreali7101]

you have an amazing way to explain stuff. thanks for the vid.

[@DamonDiaries81]

ah, simple, easy to follow and clear. Thanks for the lesson!

[@SuperBowser87]

Looks great! He got a job to do and is nice enough to share it with us and people complain? Really? After all he has done and shared with us and he changed format once and rude people complain. I bet that makes him feel really great. I can't believe it. If he changed format and he was giving money away I'm sure nobody would complain. I bet he would get thumbs up for that. Keith I apologize for all the rude comments. I'm ashamed for them. Keep the sawdust flying and thanks from a wood worker!

[@VintageMachinery]

+Tom Wilcox It is kind of like this. I shoot video of whatever I have going on in the shop. This week, it was a woodworking project because I had to get it done. Yeah, I know a lot of my subscribers don't watch for woodworking, but if you look at my most popular videos, the only other woodworking project I have ever shot video on is one of the most popular from the standpoint of number of views.

[@SuperBowser87]

That's really great to hear. I am a woodworker. I love your machine videos. But I was happy to see some sawdust fly today. Is there anything I would do different? Maybe. I'm just not that kind of person who would call you out and say you did this this and this wrong or you should use this technique because that's how I do it. It all just rubbed me the wrong way. Thanks Keith for all you do.

[@polunu880]

Nice way to add that personal touch to the non personal gift card. guess I better get started on mine, gotta make 6 of them.

[@VintageMachinery]

+polunu880 Have fun in the shop making them!

[@alohachristine]

I thoroughly enjoyed watching. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@GettinJunkDone]

You sir, just got another subscriber. Great video!

[@VintageMachinery]

Thank you!

[@ivanscott2861]

+Keith Rucker - VintageMachinery.org Same here! This project will be perfect for my books!

[@adward3870]

7yuj

[@michaelreyes3510]

Here are a lot of great woodworking plans that you can try out: HootWood.com

[@gabebera4964]

Congratz, looks beautiful. I’ve also been busy woodcrafting with Hyezmar’s book (look for it online?) Joshua agrees, he’s skipping school now lol.

[@livelyupyourselflearningch9203]

Very interesting. I would like to try this

[@VintageMachinery]

Please do!

[@gregbrodie-tyrrell3473]

Keith, I have done a few of these too. When it comes to fitting the back you don't have to cut the plywood exactly to size. I make it a little larger; perhaps an inch all around, and then use the router with a flush-cutting bearing bit to trim the plywood *exactly* to size. The bearing on the bit can leave a small mark, but the sanding will remove that. Just sayin'...

[@VintageMachinery]

+Greg Brodie-Tyrrell I actually like to cut it about 1/2" smaller so that the back is inset about 1/4" all the way around. It helps hide the end grain of the plywood when up against the wall. On more finer pieces of furniture, I will cut a rabbit around the back and inset the backing so that it is not visible from the side at all.

[@lylemccarthy1227]

Finally! I was looking just for this project! It'll definitely be a big help while I continue to work with Woody Hyezmar's plans I found on his website.

[@bobbibridgeman8310]

Thank you for the detailed video! My previous woodworking attempts haven't gone well, but your careful explanations make me feel like I can do it. How important is it to glue and clamp the shelves before adding the screws? I have to work outside, so I'd rather not leave it overnight. Also, not sure I can move fast enough before the glue dries. Is there any reason not to do the staining before attaching the back? It seems like that would be a lot easier.

[@joetiller1031]

Nice bookcase Keith you are about as handy on woodworking as machine shop work.

[@VintageMachinery]

+Joe Tiller I have done a lot of both....

[@damianjakob9034]

thank you very much !!! it was helpful and simple as well

[@gavi8763]

Excellent work

[@gersongoianousa]

Really good job my friend thanks !

[@யாழ்குறும்பு]

Its very very basic for beginners like me... Thanks

[@VintageMachinery]

Glad that it helped!

[@tstuff]

This is a great video. While I know many of the things you talked about there were a couple things I didn't know. I love watching other woodworking videos online and on TV and often they will completely skip steps or just mention them but not show people what they really did. Like the bit about drilling out plugs, gluing them in and finishing them... On a bookshelf with adjustable shelves have you found any tricks making it stronger because you cannot nail the back into shelves that move. Say I put in a bookshelf to 7'9" (the ceiling) How many permanently fixed shelves should I put in to keep it strong? Maybe up to 4' and then adjustable shelves at that point? Or 2 at any place along the height with adjustable ones in between? What would you recommend a maximum width on a book case not exceed? I only ask because I was thinking of building in a bookshelf along one wall in my office and that goes to the other question about building in shelves. Would I just build each set independently, set them side by side and add a finishing between them or is there other ways to do that? Do you have a video of any work you did like that? I have build boxes for storage and rough shelves in a garage and other things like that but limited on finished projects that would be on display in my house and need to hold the weight while still looking like furniture and not like it should be in a shed.

[@AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

Well done. You are a man of many talents. Are you sure you did not measure with some calipers some place? Thanks for sharing.

[@jusb1066]

+cerberus but did he use a dial gauge when hammering the shelves in? :}

[@VintageMachinery]

+cerberus Truth is I did use my calipers. When I drilled the holes for the screws, I needed to see what size plug cutter I needed to use and I grabbed my calipers. I was trained as a machinist long before I ever started doing woodworking and my dial calipers have always been used in the wood shop for all kinds of measuring! In fact, many of my machine shop tools and even more of my machine shop skills have spilled over to the wood shop.

[@wnebergall]

now that's funny Keith I just came upstairs all sweaty and covered in sawdust to take a break and watch youtube videos and here you are making more sawdust

[@VintageMachinery]

+Bill Nebergall Sawdust will do that to you!

[@jorgelily900]

Great video! Very instructional. thank you!

[@VintageMachinery]

+Jorge Lily My pleasure!

[@dell177]

I've built a number of bookcases and record cabinets using hardwood plywood. Hardwood plywood is never 3/4' thick, usually more like 0.72 to 0.73 thick so a 3/4" router bit would be to wide. I use a 1/2' bit to make the initial pass and I have some 1/64 and 1/32' strips (made out of sheet epoxy (G10 material) that I use along my guide to get the correct dado width. Because I'm using plywood I have to cut it into strips of the correct width, I usually use a guide and a skilsaw with a fine tooth blade for that. I plan the interior shelves to be 1/4" less wide than the sides and top so I can let the back in. I use my router to run rabbits in the side and and top (when assembling I keep the front edges aligned so the shelves are all set in 1/4" from the back edge) so the 1/4" back sets into the case, this greatly strengthens the case and keeps it square. This makes fore nice neat casework but you do have to rip the stock to size.

[@Blagger3000]

Kind of looked like the vibration from the router was moving the straight edge guide clamp and the router stayed off the line a bit on the first pass. Anyway it was a nice straight forward project for the DIY enthusiast like me. Thanks for sharing.

[@sharond701]

I love this

[@walsayer]

At our college today my colleague helped Computer Society students build a similar (much smaller) shelf case. The idea was to use Google Sketchup to draw the shelf case, then they went to the wood supply store, then to a cutting workshop to cut the pieces. Back at the college they just installed the parts together. There was no routing or such. The idea is not the woodworking side, but the Sketchup side. I'll show the students this video. Thanks

[@VintageMachinery]

+Waheed Alsayer Very cool! For me, I learned "sketch up" the old fashioned way with a T-square, pencils and triangles. I really need to get better at CAD. For me, that currently stands for "Cartoon Assisted Drawing", which is the quick sketches I draw up in the shop.

[@islamraouf1856]

Great and simple, thank you!

[@SJChip]

VG video. Right to the point and well shot. I appreciate the LACK of annoying music. 1) After cutting the dados, if you drilled tiny holes from the inside of the dadoes to the outside of the boards first, you wouldn't have needed to do all the transferring / measuring to position the screws from the outside. 2) If you were going to screw the unit together in the end, then before gluing, you could have first pre-drilled the holes & countersinks from the outside (after locating them via step 1). Then, after gluing, you could have then just used the screws as your clamping, which looks like it was quite a deal. 3) That kick plate was crying out for pocket screws! I know it's kind of a product placement, but seeing how you wouldn't need to hide the holes or anything - it would have been the perfect application. 4) Some people say put a rabbet in the back to recess the panel, I say this is fine! Great job.

[@lucassmith2328]

If you want some great woodworking plans then go here now: HootWood. com

[@InventionTherapy]

Do you prefer the look of hand cut parts or CNC router?

[@earlydon]

Hi Keith, I read somewhere that the grooves would cut in about 1/4 inch---it could have been from you. Anyway, I'm wondering if you can make that cut in one passing. In other words, it looks like you just made one pass instead of passing with an 1/8 inch cut then adjusting the router and cutting 1/8 inch deeper to make the 1/4 inch.

[@GoBuildIdeas]

Great Project, thanks for sharing!

[@RSHerewego]

Thank you for this great video

[@yasharenner6681]

Fantasic. What do you do to hide the end grain?

[@eddstactitudcaribe8046]

For some reason, I wanted to give carpentry a try at this point of life. my family did not like the idea!

[@pabloata4708]

Dont take opinions, you decide your life, the rest of the family, take care each of itself.

[@eddstactitudcaribe8046]

Pablo Ata​ Thanks bro, you are right.

[@rosamendieta4579]

I would give anything to know the basics of carpentry. You have the talent, use it! I wish I could do at least something basic. I'm determined to learn though.

[@eddstactitudcaribe8046]

Rosa Mendieta Thanks, it is always good to learn something new, everyday.

[@ewinter9021]

Good luck eddst on carpentry. If its your dream then follow it. Like they said, dont let your family tell you what career to pursue. Otherwise you end up with a deadbeat job that you hate, and you cant quit because no one else is gonna pay your bills (not even your family lmao, because they have their own house to pay for). Cheers

[@BruceBoschek]

Thanks. Some very useful tips there.

[@VintageMachinery]

+Bruce Boschek Thanks for watching!

[@northzero2390]

Safety note.... if making a taller bookcase make sure you secure it onto the wall with plugs and screws. Many children have died from tipping up such items climbing or pulling on them. One loaded with books, they're real heavy. Good project.

[@M.Claerbout]

Hi Keith, thank you for the great tutorial. Just one question, if you would make this bookcase completely out of plywood are you able to use screws in the end grain? or should you use a differend technique. thanks for your input!

[@existesters4002]

What a great video Keith many thanks for sharing this, I do have one question though. When you were routering your dado's/groves...what router bit were you using was it a straight edge cutter or a rabbit bit?

[@VintageMachinery]

I was using a straight edge bit. A Rabbit bit has a bearing on the bottom for following an edge - when cutting dado's, you don't have an edge to follow since you are going across the board.

[@guso8188]

How did you do the groove for the top shelf? Did you use the router? Did you record this step? Can I see you making the same step in another video of yours? thanks!

[@VintageMachinery]

+Gus O I used the router, just like I did the dados on the other shelves.

[@ammagato]

Bravo come sempre!