Making Random Design Alcove Shelving - Full Walkthrough

Last week I showed you a timelapse of me making these contemporary (thank you Gary!) random alcove units. In this video I'm going to talk you through the entire project and answer a few of the questions that came up last time. This was a fun but challenging joinery project, all made from MDF, all painted and the customer loved it!
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#MDF #Woodworking #Joinery

[@eduardvaniersel7535]

Thanks for explaining why you went for 12 mm MDF in stead of 18, it gives a real insight in the construction process. Great video.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers - no worries! 👍

[@MartiA1973]

@@GosforthHandyman False dado joints are going to be my new best friend. I built a TV cabinet from 12+18 mm ply (first wood project) and it takes two of us to lift it. Oh and I get why you started this with Sketch Up. Fag packet plan would have been a struggle.

[@thewoodworker1703]

One of the better DIY / Tips Channels on the tube, have picked up so much. Appreciate the content. Keep it up !

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Billy! 👍🛠

[@breakfreak3181]

Nice work and great channel man! I'm a complete novice, but recently built a load of alcove shelving for my Mum-in-law. I used your videos, amongst others, for guidance and they were a great help. I made some mistakes along the way (not thinking things through properly the way a pro would, lol), but overall I was quite pleased with the result considering I'm a total newbie! I've got some shelving and cupboard making projects for my own flat so I'll be watching your vid's again intently. Nice one!

[@xsbxsbxsb]

I am learning so much from these videos. Good thing I watched your whole video before commenting - I kept wondering why you didn't opt for a back painted to appear like the wall, making the build stronger and easier with no scribing - and then you told us. No questions left unanswered. Keep up the great work Andy! Thanks for your reply recently - now I've had responses from Jimmy, Izzy and Andy!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Ha ha - I'm not quite on the level of Jimmy & Izzy but thank you! 👍😀

[@MelbourneAlan]

great job. love the dado trick. you are a real crafty bugger, thats a genius idea

[@GosforthHandyman]

👍🛠🛠😂

[@crouchvalewoodcraft]

End result looks fantastic so worth the effort.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Thank you Rob! 👍

[@nicharvey7211]

Brilliant job Andy, very well explained. I love how you did the bottom units to. So simple but very effective. Learnt so much from this! Keep it up. BTW, missing the podcast already!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Aw, not long and we'll be back - thank you! 👍

[@bane876]

Loving the look of these shelves. It's a plan I have for my future home to have a room with at least one wall of floor to ceiling built-in book shelves and I live in the Newcastle area so I could hire you for the job.

[@michaelburton9638]

Nice looking product in the end Andy. I don't promote to the customer to have a different colour back but if they want it I'm glad because it looks so nice. I once made a unit like that from 25mm all in one piece and realised there was no way I was going to lift it into place. Fortunately a couple of builders from next door helped me out, phew.

[@diywooddesign1548]

Great walkthrough, very well put together, keep it up!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Thank you bud! 👍🛠

[@ayshadean7376]

Hi, thanks for the video. What is the '12mm capping piece' you mention? I've never heard of this and would like a better solution for finishing the leading edge.

[@dan7777]

Thin 12mm thick pieces of mdf running along all the front faces

[@olrenison]

They look amazing. Really nice. I'd love to see a detailed video on techniques for built in furniture and how you plan a job with consideration to wobbly walls and uneven floors etc. How much smaller than the space to make the cabinet to allow for scribe strips, things like that. Awesome job. Thanks for the video. 👍

[@NickDV007]

Great work Andy, looks fantastic 👍👍👍

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Nick! 🛠👍

[@nigegrumlin6636]

Great video Andy. Very impressive.

[@GosforthHandyman]

🛠👍

[@jakefallon2335]

Nice work Andy. Just got back from fitting 2 alcove units myself. And there was me thinking I had enough scribing to do. lol Will check your costing out when you get them up. All the best mate. 👍

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Steve! 👍🛠

[@PurpleWhirple]

Thanks for this post, really useful to see how you've approached it. I've just been asked to do something similar in 36mm MDF, 3.5 metres wide, floor to ceiling, asymmetrical shelves and sandwiched between two walls on either side. I initially thought 'no problem', then started to realise that it wasn't that straightforward. I think I will be building mine as modules, split up into units as small as possible and with a back (as you mentioned). I'll joint them with a Festool Domino rather than dados. The modules will then be put together side to side, with two 18mm sides making up the 36mm thickness where they meet up. I'm not going to attempt to put a cover strip on the front, I've tried this before without much success, difficult to avoid a visible line if these are put on after assembly. I'm going to get everything edge banded, the obvious line between the 18mm verticals will become a 'feature'. I'm already wishing I hadn't started this!

[@jimblack2331]

Well that answered my question Andy! Great overview of what and why you did everything.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Jim! 👍

[@markrowland5393]

The painting looked very fiddly. You did well to make a good job of it. Thanks for the video.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers - it was! 😭😂

[@MartiA1973]

@@GosforthHandyman Fiddly is one F word that springs to mind.

[@alanmullock381]

Great walk through Andy,how about a vid on your scribing processes and tools used. I'M old-school and still mainly use a compass or accu-scribe,but still struggle scribing around skirtings,always a bit hit and miss!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Alan - compass for me too! 👍🛠

[@darrolmcroberts8614]

Great job Andy

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Darrol! 👍

[@Stemlocksecurity]

Great job mate, that must of been one sole destroying task painting them built 🙈😂

[@davehogg63]

You answered all of my questions in the narrative, thanks (Morpeth lad).

[@GosforthHandyman]

No worries and hello to Morpeth! Know it well! 👍😀

[@nauticalsoftware]

Great Video Andy. Really informative and excellent quality as always. I am a new subscriber / patron and have learned a lot from your productions. The "down to earth" style of working and presenting make brilliant and enjoyable guides. . I love your 3x12mm construction on this project. Right now I am making 2 floating shelves to take heavy audio equipment and opted for 2 x 18mm MDF. I did not think of weight savings with your skeleton central layer . They are supported on 2 each 12" steel studding with 5" resin-bonded into brick wall and 7" in routed groove in lower 18mm board. Your technique would eliminate need for routing, just another "false dado" (Well really a "false drilling" as it would be in the middle of 3 pieces). You say you used 12mm MDF facing to shelves. Presumably this was 12mm thick x 36mm wide strips. So were all your glue-ups of 3 x 12mm boards identical finished thickness, or did you have to trim each individual face piece to match exact dimension? Were the face-pieces all straight butt joints, or something more elaborate?

[@loganrobinson363]

Great video Andy is any chance you can do a tutorial video on how to scribe for a perfect fit as you've done here.

[@chrisjrattray]

He has this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYfVgJ5rgd6Sm6s

[@GosforthHandyman]

On my list but yes check out the templating one above - that's good for awkward angles. 👍

[@terrycambridge8937]

Cracking job Andy, I'd be very happy if they were in my house!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Terry! 👍😀

[@Badgerworkshop]

They do look complex to make but the end result is worth it.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers dude! 👍🛠

[@Pistol_Knight]

They look fab

[@SMee67]

Top notch job, mate. 👍

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Bill! 👍🛠

[@markbryan9989]

Great job Andy! I was wondering about another option for the back wall. Why not attach a flat sheet of MDF to the wall first to give you the nice flat surface to build against? I am planning bookcases on each side of my fireplace and am thinking that is the way to go. Your thoughts?

[@GosforthHandyman]

Defo an option if you can get big sheets to site easily! 👍

[@paulsyarduk2045]

Lightweight mdf 40mm? Maybe an option for shelves, used it many times. Great work

[@charlesarnold4963]

That was very informative. I especially liked the lessons learnt bit at the end.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Thank you Charles! 👍🛠

[@paulprs9703]

Hi Andy can I ask is your door a full overlay or half overlay I'm doing a similar type thing for the 1st time and want to run trim up the side of the cupboard to cover the gap ( apologies I have based the design on yours because it looks the business) and just wondered what sort of concealed hinges to use I'm not a pro by the way many thanks Paul ps love your videos keep up the good work

[@chiselit1]

Is that a jig your using for the door hinges and shelf pins and do you have a past video on it?

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yes - just a little jig - haven't done a vid on it yet but on the list! 👍🛠

[@raybyrne5599]

Is there a video on how to make the lower cabinets?

[@MartiA1973]

One of your best and so timely. Just built a similar style tv unit as a first carpentery lock down project all inspired by the spirit of GHM. I used ply painted gloss white with Danish Oil edges. Can I ask what was the reason for using MDF?

[@GosforthHandyman]

Thank you! Mainly since MDF gives a better painted finish. It can certainly be done with ply but you'll need to hunt around for really good quality ply or fill and sand every single imperfection. 👍

[@MartiA1973]

@@GosforthHandyman I'll try it for the next project - thank you

[@iangrindey]

Very informative Andy. How do you attach your 12mm capping pieces, CA or pinned?

[@GosforthHandyman]

Pinned. 👍

[@philrice7879]

Hi, where is the best place to buy the base cupboards please.

[@satanismybrother]

Its awesome work, would it have been easier to install a back piece for the wall though rather than doing all that scribing?

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yup defo. Wish I'd done that - didn't realise the walls were so bad but I should have checked.

[@theoneandonlywoo846]

Really nice build and walkthrough video, is there one for creating base units and their install at all? Keep up the ace work, planning my alcove fit out now...

[@GosforthHandyman]

Not yet but on the list! 👍

[@studmeisteruk]

@@GosforthHandyman is this still on your list? i'm hoping to make a start on my own alcove unit similar to this and i'm somewhat confused how you built the cabinet.

[@Mickeystretton]

Hi Andy how much extra do you allow on the shelf for the scribing to the back of shelf? Great video!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Hi - normally about 1-2cm but depends how bad the walls are. 👍

[@shanesmith1982-w8c]

What kinda hinges did you use on the bottom units they seem to push the door out further nice job

[@GosforthHandyman]

Hi - yes, they're special ones that spring outwards rather than inwards. These were just B&Q ones I had in stock. 👍

[@MrSammyse]

Nice walkthrough. I got to this one a bit late. Do you use any fine filler where the MDF edges meet, e.g. the front lipping, or where the shelving meets the cupboard top? How do you make the seam 'invisible'?

[@GosforthHandyman]

I might cover this on a vid - interesting topic. You can push it to a near invisible join but then come back in 6 months and you'll see a slight line due to expansion / contraction. Really it's about how much spare time you have on the project to get it 'perfect'. 👍

[@fuzmaginty5822]

beautiful job m8

[@SharpEdgeWoodworking-UK]

Are those inset hinges on the cabinets Andy?

[@GosforthHandyman]

Full overlay euro hinges with press-to-open. 👍

[@peterbennett4588]

Hi Andy - lovely work, really slick and neat! How long did the build take you?

[@GosforthHandyman]

The full job took about a week including painting. 👍

[@KKirk5101991]

They look great! A lot of work for you installing them on site! Painting especially 🙈 Can I ask what adjustable legs you used? We are trying our hand at alcove units but floor is far from level!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers! Similar to these www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/product/pro-series-kitchen-bedroom-and-shopfitting-adjustable-leg-150-180mm-pack-4-187630

[@GamerLAD88]

What sort of price did this come out at? May be interested in having you do something similar for myself.

[@Cloppa2000]

What's a 12mm capping piece? And how is this fitted and made flush with everything please?

[@GosforthHandyman]

Great Q - will cover that on a vid. It's just 12mm MDF. 👍

[@sandjune2753]

brilliant...shame your not near Hertford

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Nice walk-through mate - scribing’s a killer when there’s that many components! And y’all calling ‘em ‘dados’ now?? We call ‘em ‘housings’ round here... 😆😂👍👍

[@GosforthHandyman]

Ha ha - I've watched too much Norm Abram! What do you call it if you don't cut the housing and instead make it out of separate sections like this?? Struggled to find the proper term for it! 👍😂

[@jakefallon2335]

Gosforth Handyman it’s still a housed joint.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Gosforth Handyman Yeah, it’s a tricky one. I think I’d say I was ‘making’ the housing instead of ‘cutting’ the housing; dunno - ‘mock’ housing?? Either way it’s a great technique to quickly build up shelves 👍👍

[@patg4362]

Patman Probably called an affordable housing

[@GosforthHandyman]

😂😂👍

[@jasonandrewjones]

Where are you based I want something like this built!!!!!

[@-_AjB_-]

First class 👍

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers bud! 👍🛠

[@justjacqueline2004]

Astounding.

[@paulsyarduk2045]

My god that painting must have taken ages that way. 12mm back floated off the wall

[@flipflopshopify]

Hello mate... Im from newcastle a qualified decorator and would love to learn a bit from you and work with you a few weekends to learn a bit... I dont expect to get paid just want to learn

[@GosforthHandyman]

Really sorry but I don't work weekends! Family time. All the best bud! 👍🛠

[@jimtomlinsom1279]

Very smart. Bit too much head scratching for me. Dont mind a simple one for the odd customer to test my woodwork skills being a decorator by trade but I would defer a job like this as I couldn't make it pay. Not having the colour ready for the wall would have driven me crazy.... Good work though

[@steenfraosterbro3268]

👍🏼

[@GosforthHandyman]

👍🛠

[@paulgray3231]

They look great but you're right, I was thinking you should have put backs on instead of scribing. it just saves a lot of time for the sake of 30mm

[@GosforthHandyman]

Think it would have to be 2 upper units per side to keep the weight down - next time! 👍😂

[@redbank493]

Like ! 👍👍