Oak Alcoves Build Video

How we made these shelves, an angled triple-doored base cabinet, and floating oak mantles.
If this video helps you please support future content by donating at www.buymeacoff... thanks!

[@johnschotz1614]

Must be a costly project seeing the amount of work you need to put in.

[@azza1793]

Great looking project. On a side note you deserve far more subscribers than you currently have, your work, your finish and your no nonsense videos are great. Thank you

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Thanks for that. You’re not the first to say it. I’d prefer the people who subscribe really want to subscribe. If you know anyone else who would appreciate the content, please share it!

[@davegreen1866]

Some great tips/trade secrets shown here Al, thanks for the insight and for taking the time to put it all into the production !! 👍 You have a very good presentation manner, straight forward and to the point. Keep it going, please 🙂 The install looks sharp! Not my style, but the customer is always right, right!? Always enjoy your videos 👌

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Thanks Dave, I do need the encouragement and you’re welcome!

[@davidkelly1634]

Thanks very much for your time in putting this content out. I referred to it several times this weekend as I put in a small set of shelves myself. Cheers. David.

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Hi David you’re welcome, I appreciate you commenting

[@CAVjoinery]

Good job pal !

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Thanks 👍

[@kwesip6267]

I wish I knew you sooner. The detail and precision is excellent!

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Thank you!

[@CraftyLittleMaker]

Fantastic job mate. I've just found your channel and I'm hooked. Got some binge watching to do now!! :)

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Enjoy! Thanks for the feedback

[@j17patel1]

Im new to the channel and an enthusiastic DIYer, and loving seeing your eye for detail in scribing and fitting. I do wonder, on the TV cabinet, its a shame the plug is above, did the client, or you, consider moving the plug into the unit to make the look even smarter? Appreciate that would be another set of skills and tasks but could help show off your smooth fits. Am getting lots of ideas for a similar angled unit to fit a larger TV in a similar fashion

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Hi thanks for your interest in my channel! Yes you may be right. And it’s not unusual for us to move sockets and fit them within cabinets, but we get a trusted electrician to take care of this ahead of time. See here: www.freebirdinteriors.co.uk/post/fitting-your-electrics

[@kerrischneider7693]

I've custom built and retro fitted many cabinets and shelf systems - I am the queen of upside down inside out, correlates to nothing ... meaning that between a template and the actual piece in place I often screw up positioning. So I started putting little spots of masking tape on all surfaces that face out. It helps when the tape doesn't fall off. Lol.

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Yes, I do that too, you need a reference point, especially when you have multiple similar looking boards knocking around, it's not a weakness!

[@michaeldyer17]

Great video like the tips, I am trying to do the same project in my home and have failed first attempt hopefully I can tackle with success the next time. Thanks

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Good luck! Getting it wrong is not a failure but a normal part of improving, it's only a failure if you quit!

[@satanismybrother]

If I was the customer I would be emotional too. Awesome work.

[@CJAY3.1.6]

Please buy that young lad some decent drill bits

[@Alastair_Freebird]

I’m trying to think which part of the video this refers to!

[@hi-tech55]

As usual, a fantastic job very professionally presented. Look out David Attenborough. I know it’s me, how did you fix those dividers between the shelves Alistair? I didn’t see any dowels /biscuits or mechanical fixings. Thanks for a great video.

[@Alastair_Freebird]

jerry moffat there is a giveaway photo hidden in there somewhere - cheap and simple pocket hole screws!! I figured the pocket holes would hardly be noticed, they blend in with the wood grain and will probably be covered by books. I’m not averse to making things easy for myself every now and then 😁

[@hi-tech55]

Freebird Interiors thanks for your reply. I agree with its content.

[@matthewdartford9501]

honestly, I think your channel is easly one of the best. So many usefull tips

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Matthew Dartford Thankyou so much 😃

[@ronaldbrestovic3220]

They looks lovely and You've done an amazing job.

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Thanks!

[@adriandotsmall]

Lovely work Alastair and team.

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Many thanks!

[@alexbradley6398]

Hey Alastair, a quick question if I may? I am going to order the oak lipping for the front of the shelves next week and I am going to order the oak veneered MDF too for the tops and bottoms of the shelves. However, should I be concerned that the colour of the oak lipping will be slightly different to the colour of the veneered MDF? (They are made by different manufacturers). Or should I not concern myself with this as the stain will even everything out? Thanks in advance!

[@Alastair_Freebird]

They can vary. I never worried too much about this since the front face of the lipping is the most visible thing when installed and in use

[@alexbradley6398]

Thanks Alastair. And thanks for taking the time to answer our questions on here - it really helps us DIYers.

[@jrulz]

I don’t comment very often, but I thoroughly enjoyed this. Well in you satisfying bastard.

[@slimetime102]

Could you use kitchen carcass for the base unit?

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Yes if you want, but it would be taller and look like a kitchen, and you'd be lucky to find the right sizes to fit on the width. But you could start with kitchen cabinets and carefully cut down and reassemble the parts.

[@heruvey87]

im guessing those plugs dont work on drywall?

[@Alastair_Freebird]

they do actually, pretty well

[@james6609]

hi alastair fantaststic job and the fitting is second to none and yes i agree with you that people do not see the work that goes into these type of jobs some of which i too did when i was able to work and they would say ah sure there is nothing to fitting them if that was only true because i can remember having a kitcken carcases fitted in less time than floating shelves that is like you doing it the right way fihish work is always slower to get done i hope that your customers can see that you put in an awful amount of work to get what seems a simple job to the untrained eye to get it to the high standard that you have done again well done regards james

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Thanks James, so true and I appreciate your comment!

[@james6609]

@@Alastair_Freebird 👍👍👍

[@maolproduction8908]

When you are scribing to the back wall how do you make sure you keep all your front edges in line? Any tips? Love your work. Marcus

[@AtelierFloky]

From France ! .. Nice To see your job thanks for it

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Atelier Floky Bonjour, thanks for commenting!

[@DJG-tr6sw]

Does anyone have a link to this style but with lighting across the bottom of each shelf? I've seen his versions wih full alcove units but not floating-style shelves. Would i just make the 'lip' more of an overhang, run the lights behind, then have the cabling within the shelf cavity? Wires might need to be recessed into the wall, not sure! Thanks!

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Hi, I have done some shelves like this with an LED tape striplight within a flush mounted aluminium profile (see this old video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6Tdpnalh96Ijq8) but I don't like the effect it gives around eye level - you get wavering bright spots, hard to explain. So I prefer to fit spotlights in chunky shelves. And sometimes an uplighting striplight at top rear only. See this example: instagram.com/p/CFANeXVjm-3/?

[@DJG-tr6sw]

@@Alastair_Freebird That's great thanks for your reply. Good idea, I've put spotlights into our bar so can sink them in. For the wiring have they been chased down the wall then filled?

[@Alastair_Freebird]

@@DJG-tr6sw You might have to do that but in the job I linked to it was a false chimney breast so they went into a void behind the brick slips!

[@almusti]

It would be interesting to hear why you have chosen this system for making floating shelves. The ones I’ve seen before were made from solid wood using large pegs or Dowels to support the shelves. Your method seems to be harder and more complicated. There’s got to be a good reason for that as you clearly know what you’re doing. As a joinery student I’m just trying to follow your way of thinking. Like many others on your channel I’m hooked on to your videos. Thanks Alastair 👍🏻

[@Alastair_Freebird]

I tried many methods. This method allows me to use a standard thickness of mdf board from stock, which I also use for other types of project. (Although in this particular project I have used oak/oak veneer). Solid wood is more costly but also doesn’t paint as well. If I used solid MDF we’d need to be handling full sheets of at least 36mm board which are incredibly heavy, and it’s more efficient if one person can work on their own producing these in the workshop. It also allows me to fit shelves in alcoves which splay out towards the back, without leaving gaps. I never fully trusted the strength of methods cantilevered from the rear only. And a method that requires adding slots to the edges after trimmings thick shelf to fit the alcove, means use of another tool like a router that is hard to control dust from in people’s houses. Finally, the 54mm thickness (3 x 18mm) unifies the design of the shelves with the base cabinets where I am for 54mm width scribe strips/cover strips on either side of the doors

[@ChickenDinnerz]

Thanks for the video. Please can you tell me what the oak product is called and where it's from? I've got some oak faced mdf from selco but the ends are never covered.

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Hi we lip the parts for the chunky shelves with solid oak, using pocket hole joints. The main board is oak veneered mdf

[@JaySherman99]

This looks amazing. How wide an alcove would this system work for? I have a 2.5 meter wide alcove that I would love to put shelving in, but I think there would need to be supports in the middle.

[@Alastair_Freebird]

I would only do it at that width with a few dividers joining the shelves to each other and at least 3 shelves

[@786path]

Great work. I'm a beginner and inspired by your work. Would you consider uploading your plans and Iinks to all tools and materials used in each video please? Thank you

[@Alastair_Freebird]

A A hi thank you. Full blueprints for how we build typical alcove cabinets and shelves are available as a downloadable pdf to monthly members at my crowdfunding site www.buymeacoffee.com/Freebird . I may cover the tools I use in more detail in future videos, and materials etc are discussed in different videos.

[@andrewjames9963]

Just found your channel, nice to see others methods . Well done

[@onemaninaboat]

Are those shelves permanently fixed to the wall or am i missing something? How is the customer supposed to remove them?

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Yes they are. The customer is not supposed to remove them for re-use, as they paid for fully fitted furniture designed to fit only that space. One day hopefully in many years, they will be destructively removed and disposed of.

[@hi-tech55]

Superb job team Alistair. Minimalistic design that really doesn’t look like it’s cluttering the room.

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Thanks Jerry 👍

[@alexbradley6398]

Hey Alastair, I am going to attempt this project in a few weeks (I might even film it and upload it here to show how an amateur does it (lots of mistakes! 🤣) versus a professional!). May I trouble you for the dimensions of the timber you used in this project? The thickness of shelving that you achieved is exactly what we want (and in oak / oak laminate) but I can't quite figure out the thickness of timber that you used. Even better would be any recommendations for places to purchase said timber. Thanks in advance!

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Hi! I think I was using 18mm oak veneered MDF (often it’s more like 19mm actually) above and below 18x18mm battens fixed to the wall. Ask at any timber yard. Solid oak lip 20mm ish thick by full height of shelf (actually a little more is best, then plane back. I used to buy the veneered boards and pre-planes solid oak in a suitable size from Arnold Lavers

[@alexbradley6398]

@@Alastair_Freebird Thank you! This is really helpful! Looking forward to a bit of D.I.Y. (generally referred to as Destroy It Yourself in our house! 😀)

[@silverfox8801]

I’m a seasoned carpenter and still learning new tricks from your channel 👍👍👍

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Silver Fox that’s nice to hear, thanks for your comments!

[@reidy186]

Nice work thanks for sharing, did you attach the front to the top by pocket holes on the shelves? was looking to see the join but couldn't see it ?

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Christopher Reid yes that’s how we do it, then we fit a spacer strip that covers most of the pocket holes (not because we need to cover them, just to make up the structure of the shelf)

[@WEARECHANGEBEDS]

where can I buy veneered MDF sheets that have the edges veneered too?

[@Alastair_Freebird]

I think you need a cutting and edging service. There are places like cutlist around london

[@WEARECHANGEBEDS]

@@Alastair_Freebird I think I will just do a 45 degree cut along the top bottom and front peices so there is no end grain or edging tape at all. Will probably be harder to glue up on site though Id imagine.

[@Alastair_Freebird]

@@WEARECHANGEBEDS That's one way of doing it 👍

[@neilw4881]

A lot of time and effort for a few shelves, but the results sure prove that its well worth it. Fantastic job yet again👍

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Thanks Neil

[@brianneedham1699]

I like your fitting techniques and it looks great. Nice design! 👍👊

[@tomvincent5596]

Top job as per usual 👍

[@khoinguyen6116]

Hi Alistair.. Quick question... What size battens did you use? Would these be sufficient for an alcove shelf that is 140cm in length? Instead of oak I'm building this with an mdf top and bottom with shelf having total max thickness of 5cm.cheers

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Khoi Nguyen battens 18x18mm. Yes they should support it if the screws are well secured into the wall.

[@Alastair_Freebird]

This video may answer some more of your questions: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p32kc4FjnqmMn68

[@phalimmaguire6069]

Another lovely job, so interesting to see how other people do there floating shelves and alcoves cheers

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Thanks!

[@AbdullahAli-hv5ym]

Love your work nice video

[@Saventy]

👍👍👍

[@philcrisp65]

Great vids, following your instructions word by word and looking good so far, thank you! I’m finding it difficult to drill the 18mm mdf batons without them splitting, any tips to help prevent this?

[@Alastair_Freebird]

philcrisp65 sounds like you’re drilling into the edge layers instead of the face?

[@philcrisp65]

Freebird Interiors yes! I was relying on the 18mm measurement of the mdf rather than cutting a 18mm slice as well. Thank you!

[@ericlytra6886]

I am new to your work and really enjoy the way you present. The craftsmanship is excellent. My only issue with the shelves is, how do you remove them without a big hammer?

[@Alastair_Freebird]

It’s quite difficult even with a big hammer 😄

[@Alastair_Freebird]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p32kc4FjnqmMn68

[@paulniven4733]

Great work Alistair, I always enjoy your videos.

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Thanks Paul 😃

[@jimmustill222]

great vid , post production is coming on !!! got the tunes going now ! thanks for the upload from east london

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Glad you think so! I still do it all on the iPhone using the app LumaFusion; I try to do as much editing there and then in the van as possible but did spend a bit longer trying to make it interesting with music coming in and out since it was a longish video!

[@Jason52597]

Beautiful work

[@davidosullivan3432]

Nice work mate . You would think that there would be some system for cabinet fitters fitting floating shelves

[@Alastair_Freebird]

I suppose we all come up with a system, or learn from and modify someone else's! And in fact there are various systems out there, like rods you screw to the wall and inset into a hole drilled in the back of the shelf (like the ikea chunky shelves) - but those rear cantilevered systems are rarely satisfactory. This place has a clever system of their own: www.shelfbar.co.uk/

[@davidosullivan3432]

Freebird Interiors thanks appreciate that

[@trigmachine]

class work

[@Tez73]

From one joiner 2 another , you are a good craftsman mate .

[@Alastair_Freebird]

terry davies I appreciate that very much!

[@woodbe5311]

nice work

[@UnstoppableTramp]

Nice work mate but try and look at the camera and not your face when making the videos

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Unstoppable Tramp you’re the second person to say that. It never occurred to me before but as soon as someone said it, I find it annoying to watch too 😆

[@UnstoppableTramp]

@@Alastair_Freebird I do it to because it is the front facing camera. Now I just use the main camera on wide angle and it will always get me in shot and it forces me to look at the camera. I just find it more personable looking straight at the person in the video and them looking back, otherwise it is like in real life when someone is looking at your hairstyle rather than face, it makes me paranoid. Anyways, it is a small point, videos and skills are excellent mate, keep em coming. New sub

[@Smithy-so9be]

Great video and really nice finish. I’d love to have a go at something similar myself although pretty sure I won’t get anywhere near a finish as nice as you’ve clearly managed. Did you get the solid oak lippings from the same supplier as the veneered mdf for a close match?

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Ben Smith thanks! No I’m afraid I didn’t... and even if I had got the veneered mdf from Optimum it wouldn’t have been a better match since they buy from separate suppliers for those products anyway. I have however started using a suppler called Triesse who veneer their boards themselves so you can be more picky with them. I’m using them for the games tables we’re going to start making.

[@Smithy-so9be]

Freebird Interiors Do you think this technique for floating shelves could work for a less chunky style but still with veneered sheets? E.g 13mm veneered oak on top of 21mm battens with 6mm veneered on the bottom?

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Ben Smith yes certainly could. But I settled on all 18mm for simplicity and a few benefits: easier to pocket hole joint the lip on; you can use the secret fix method with the plastic modesty blocks and 25mm screws to hold the base on (can’t do that with 6mm), more efficient use of boards if offcuts of top material might do for the bases as well, and smaller offcuts of same can be ripped down for the wall battens! Plus I like the solid feel it gives.

[@gilesstepney1249]

Nice work fella. Also, love the honesty.

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Giles Stepney thanks!

[@-_AjB_-]

Beautiful work. How did you fix the dividers Al?

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Anthony James Brown I kept it simple and used pocket holes! On the side less visible from entering the room. In oak grain with a clear finish they kind of disappear, and the shelves will be fairly full when in use. You can see it in one of the photos nearer the end, a kreg sure bring driven upwards while the shelves are clamped up.

[@-_AjB_-]

@@Alastair_Freebird 👍

[@brianoneill350]

Very very nice work.

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Brian O Neill thanks!

[@anirishwoodworkersdiary2137]

As always nice work guys

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Thank you!

[@roberthatcher2773]

Fabulous work!

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Thanks!