Awesome Dovetailed Bookcase With (mostly) Hand Tools!

I show how to make a bookcase using traditional hand cut joinery out of cherry using mostly basic woodworking tools. This build features hand cut dovetails, twin mortise and tenon, frame and panel case back, and a simple moulding and base trim that can be made with just a hand plane.
---------PDF PLANS for this bookcase available---------
www.frankswork...
---- BLOG ----
improvewoodwor...
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**TOOLS USED**
Highland Woodworking - www.highlandwoo...?A=1609 (one of the ABSOLUTE BEST sources for high quality tools and materials - My other two favorites = leevalley and toolsforworkingwood)
Hand plane - amzn.to/368aiXU
Dovetail saw - amzn.to/3655jqX (the budget gents saw -- its cheaper through my highlandwoodworking link above, which also has premium saw alternatives)
Coping Saw- amzn.to/3pECvOh
Marking knife - amzn.to/3sOl3Im
Starrett combination square - amzn.to/3iL4bxO
Thorex mallet - amzn.to/2Y2MFeV
Combination marking/mortise gauge - amzn.to/2Y2BfYB
Stanley benchtop tape measure - amzn.to/3o5wecl
Dividers - amzn.to/3w8Xr2H
Combination oil stone - amzn.to/397qXfW
Translucent Arkansas stone - amzn.to/3vIUyWk
square awl - amzn.to/3q8UjAT
GOOD pencil sharpener - amzn.to/3pB0cY1
---Consumables---
Liquid Hide Glue (old brown glue) - amzn.to/3a8tzut
Green Honing Compound - amzn.to/3cQNBtM
Pencils - amzn.to/3irJR6f
---Finish---
Tried and True Varnish Oil (linseed oil+ resin) - amzn.to/3TDkOMC
CAMERA EQUIPMENT (most budget-friendly setup on youtube)
Camera (gopro) - amzn.to/3UWwg6V
USB Microphone (voiceover) - amzn.to/3tyfZtg
Lav Mic - amzn.to/3Onh01b

[@FranksWorkbench]

If you enjoyed this video, watch my Dovetailed Step Stool next: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nanPfGh-i7KqiJo

[@yhwshua]

Masterfully engineering! I would pay thousands for you to help me make my own. Big respect

[@awshelley]

Man, that's a beauty. Great work.

[@johnblair2939]

what a bloody good video. so refreshing to see something made without recourse to every bloody power tool invented by man.

[@diegoestabridis2478]

Lighning fast shipping. Excellent product very pleased

[@HowCommunicationWorks]

Very nice work.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thank you!

[@wimm1392]

That is a piece of ART. Beautiful.

[@johnford7847]

A beautiful piece. Thanks for sharing.

[@0102-w6m]

Looks amazing. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@jeffforbes3772]

Wish I'd have caught this last year. Great job sir!

[@mattbortz10]

I'm just amazed by the quality of your work.

[@SparrowStockwell]

It looks super!

[@nicetryfbi357]

Easily your best piece! Good job brother

[@jessenunes4327]

Man that cherry planes nice. 👍

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thanks for watching!!

[@TUZO383]

Just amazing, as always! If there's any justice and logic in this world, you'll have 100K+ subs this time next year.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thank you very much!!!! Let's make it happen!

[@Charlielizard]

Absolutely gorgeous. That plywood backing made it pop. Congratulations on a phenomenal work of art. 👍

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thank you so much!

[@snh_lname]

Really enjoyed this project. Especially the double tenons. It's funny how we all seem to have the same tools.

[@PYC000]

Beautiful work. So precise. Nice to see a true craftsman.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thank you!

[@freeteeme6684]

Awesome Video. Great quick intro with solid instructions.

[@saucetguitars]

Beautiful! Your planes seem super sharp, you make it look effortless

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thanks!

[@rogerfeenstra9496]

I really enjoy your work. Inspired! Thanks.

[@VORONM]

Very-very nice!

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thank you!!

[@markbuilds]

Love your videos, just finishing up bingeing them all!

[@FranksWorkbench]

I was wondering where all those views came from 🤣 Check back Friday, another one coming, might be my best yet!

[@EMTdrummer]

Nice job Frank, ... excellent skills

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thanks bro

[@lorenzOficial]

Saludos desde Argentina!

[@andrehoffmann1056]

excellent work, first class please more of it.... very inspiring 👍👍👍👍

[@bradyrogers9517]

What an exceptional piece! Very nice!

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thanks Brady!

[@timbushart632]

Beautiful job. Very inspirational.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thank you!

[@brigetteanderson-atkins1128]

Beautiful!

[@jimfromri]

Another awesome build (and video). I love the simplicity and honesty of this piece that relies on traditional joinery and excellent craftsmanship. It’s not Shaker, but it has that same timeless quality. Really enjoyed watching you make it. Thanks for sharing.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Exactly what I was aiming for when designing it!! Thanks for watching and commenting, glad you enjoyed it!

[@gergemall]

Thank you

[@VinceEspositoJr]

Very impressive. Thanks for sharing.

[@sweeth2057]

Man, this is great. Thanks for the plans. Great work! Love your videos!!

[@kevinodonnell9423]

Love your videos, Frank. Not only do I gain knowledge from watching, but you are a true craftman, and a joy to watch.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thank you so much!

[@bigkiv47]

good job mate.... love the hand tools only approach. Best way to go :)

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thanks! Had a few rips on on table saw too in the stock prep!

[@vosifle]

Just perfect!

[@goodfellasunderworld]

wonderful build.

[@JamesWilliams-en3os]

Nice work, very good joinery. I’m a dovetail aficionado and use them any time I possibly can. FWIW, I don’t think you need be concerned about seasonal wood movement affecting the shelf dadoes or the top, as all the grain is running the same direction for all your pieces. But that double mortise & tenon on the front of the shelf is a nice touch all the same.

[@paulk6509]

Great stuff Frank! Really enjoy the channel. I’ve been debating as to whether to pull the trigger on that Noblex. Thanks for including. You helped me with my decision! Can’t wait to get it. Keep up the great work! Man I love using hand tools.

[@FranksWorkbench]

It is a great and accurate tool for those times when a shooting board would prove finicky. Just a fyi the Japanese blade for the nobex is a must. It cuts much faster than the stock blade that comes standard!!

[@briantheprion]

Great build man. Nailed it! Love the exposed dovetails framed out by the trim. Just fyi you could have glued the shelves with the double tenons in place along it’s whole length since the grain direction is the same as the case side. Not being critical just spreading the learning since your build looks spot on. Narration is money too.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thanks brother, and yes you are spot on abt the glue!

[@johnpayne6196]

Enjoyable. You did not show the final clamping up of the boards? Try clamps above and below to avoid the ‘cupping or bowing’. Also, try to mark using pencils and keep away, within reason, when sawing, chiselling etc. Sharp tools are a must. You have good skills.

[@jimcarter4929]

Great build as always. Many things in this video I had not considered such as only one mortise for shelf, most manuals show using two sets. And also raising skirt trim to protect is great. I enjoy watching your builds more than anyone's on u-tube. Guess that planer is paying off on big carcass build like this. Got to admit that I am partial to that crown saw also, and am too cheap or practical to pay two hundred and fifty dollars on a dovetail saw. Keep up the good work.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thank you Jim!! That crown gents saw truly is a hidden gem. The planer definitely paid off-- especially in Texas summer in a closed garage!

[@scott8351]

Good tip to not push down on the plane over that low spot. Let the plane just do the work. I just grabbed a #7 off Facebook for $20. Looking forward to using it. I got lucky but deals can be had. When you see one buy it immediately.

[@MishaManulis]

Beautiful work! Thanks for showing how you cut the dados, been struggling with that on my last project and will have to try your approach next time.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thank you, hope it helps!!!

[@IvorPuddifant]

Great build and well narrated too. I think Paul Sellers favours a gent's saw for such tasks too.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thank you very much! He can probably do it with just about any saw

[@joseph9061]

Well done, a very nice piece. What kind of blades do you use in your coping saw? It went through there like butter.

[@mr.shellcracker9161]

Amazing piece. I see you got some apprentices and I don't blame you. I've been playing around with getting a bandsaw and a thickness planer.

[@FranksWorkbench]

haha yes I did! The thickness planer is just unbelievable time saver, I'm really happy with the purchase

[@garyhubley]

This looks phenomenal. As a beginner in hand tool woodworking this seems beyond my reach. However, one thing I did notice (and had to confirm via Google) is that your tails and pins on the carcass are in the wrong orientation. Maybe this was a design choice, in which case ignore me. But for strength, the tails should be on the sides and the pins should be on the top and bottom. Once again, great job! Hopefully one day I'll be able to create something of equal quality

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thanks bro. This is actually the correct orientation for tails of casework like this bookcase with the moulding. Google for dovetailed shaker style bookcases and dressers. You can look at some of the high end pieces made my Thomas Moser or Richard Bissell for example.

[@garyhubley]

@@FranksWorkbench apologies for my ignorance and thank you for pointing me in the right direction!

[@FranksWorkbench]

All good my man, here to share and learn from other too. Re: this project looking beyond your reach, this one is just like making a small box, one cut and one board at at a time!! Keep at it and thanks for watching!

[@Gotmovezlikejagga]

The end result is a beautiful bookcase. I especially like how the trim hides the larger aspect of end grain of the dovetails and accentuates the pins. You seem to have a high level of confidence and comfort with hand tools. Just curious, have you had any training in wood working? Or did you learned through experience?

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thank you so much!! No formal training!

[@BatCaveCreations]

2:25 > it looks like you are plaining against the grain! how are you getting such good shavings against the grain?! Another great video! thank you!

[@FranksWorkbench]

Haha I may have been! I had so much to plane on this project is that I hardly thought about grain direction until the final smoothing passes!

[@AssafOppenheimer]

Hi Frank, I'm aspiring to do work similar to what you do on your chanel (love it btw). quick question, what TPI/PPI rip hand/panel saws are you using?

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thanks man, crosscut I use 10 tpi and rip cut 4.5 and a 7 tpi (don't use the 4.5 that much since getting table saw)

[@xisotopex]

if a glued up panel is cupped, and you plane it, how do you not end up with a panel that is different thicknesses?

[@dpmeyer4867]

nice

[@PulseNein]

How's ur cure time with the tried on true?

[@darrenmacmartin9392]

Great project Frank and you're an excellent instructor! I'm wondering what kind of bench chisels you are using?

[@FranksWorkbench]

Hi Darren! Those are Ashley Iles bench chisels. Love them. The only other chisels I've used are narex, used them for years, they are also very good but not as thin of a side bevel!

[@VinceEspositoJr]

I imagine that will darken nicely with exposure to the sun?

[@FranksWorkbench]

Yes sir!

[@VinceEspositoJr]

@@FranksWorkbench On a small cherry table I made I used a mix of T&T varnish oil and a spar varnish w/o UV protectors that Chris Becksvoort uses on his cherry pieces. It produced an amazing finish that let the cherry darken. A really nice result.

[@Mutant_11]

Nice bookcase. Maybe the next one will be with no glue. What do you think?

[@FranksWorkbench]

That could be a fun project!

[@luispinedasimons9551]

hola, quedo increible. que formones son?

[@FranksWorkbench]

Ashley isles

[@luispinedasimons9551]

@@FranksWorkbench Thank you, they are difficult to find on Amazon or the free market, do you recommend the irwin marples?

[@FranksWorkbench]

Yes they will work great!

[@KreativKrabat]

Are my eyes deceiving me, or are you using Veritas plane blades in a WoodRiver plane? I assume you do that in order to enjoy the delicious PMV-11 steel? Which of the PMV-11 blades do you use? Replacement blades for Stanley/Record, or the blades for Veritas´own blades? Do they need any modification? Great video, by the way! I like your style.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Good eye! It's the Stanley/Record replacement blades. They fit ok in the wood river planes! Just O1 steel but really want to try the pmv-11

[@KreativKrabat]

@@FranksWorkbench Nice! Thanks for the reply.

[@rickbrenneman3913]

Who makes the dovetail jig you are using?

[@FranksWorkbench]

Sterling tools works - ST2

[@rickbrenneman3913]

@@FranksWorkbench Thank you!

[@jessenunes4327]

I didn't know veritas made plane irons for woodriver planes . Where did you get that ?

[@FranksWorkbench]

Sharp eye. It's the O1 replacement plane blades for Stanley/Record but it fits in the wood river just fine. 2 out of my 4 wood river blades were junk and wouldn't sharpen to a high level.

[@jessenunes4327]

@@FranksWorkbench thats good to know I never used a veritas iron before but Ive heard good things .

[@roslynsmith5836]

❤

[@ScreamingTc]

I'm imagining the coping saw giving little life-affirming pep talks with every use.

[@phillipwhite5251]

Mr. Frank I am Phillip white from Dublin ga.USA I love your channel. Need you to help teach me to sharpen plane iron the way you do.thanks your friend

[@idontthinkso666]

Your craftsmanship is superb. Really, well done. But...that plywood back. It cheapens the whole project. Despite your feelings of "contrasting colors" etc., it just says to the audience that you got tired, got lazy, and cut corners. Do yourself a favor. Unscrew that back panel, replace that plywood, and create a truly flawless masterpiece.

[@javieraranda2952]

U didnt how fix the back cover. :(

[@FranksWorkbench]

Regular wood screws 👍

[@javieraranda2952]

@@FranksWorkbench thank you!

[@highlandsprings5752]

Not a single knot in all that wood XD

[@billmactiernan6304]

Is that the end grain of the "nail on" back which is sticking out like a sore thumb at the top of the side. Nice hand tool work. Poor design work.