When DW & I were furnishing our new home in 2018 we went to a second hand store and purchased a bookcase. Never really liked it so decided to build one. Decided on cherry, walnut and maple with arches on the aprons to harmonize with the Purse Table and TV Table that I had previously built.
Started mid November with a trip to the lumber store and some freehand sketches. The build went well for the most part but took a long time, a trip back to WA State for Christmas, had Seattle kids here for Turkey Day, etc.
Use mortise and tenon joinery to attach the aprons to the legs. Built an arch template out of MDF to trim the arch bottom shapes, a technique I learned from a fellow woodworker. Mortises were cut with the Jet Mill drill.
Oil baseMin Wax Wipe on Poly over Platina shellac for the finish. I am pleased with the final finish.
Glue up went great with help from one of my shop buddies. Diagonal dimensions were all within 1/8" and most spot on.
On the shelves I glued walnut nosings that were long and trimmed on the table saw (photo 5). Used shims to set the gaps between the shelf ends and the legs. Some of the slats bowed after cutting so temporary shims were installed between them to straighten.
Thanks for the comments. The one it is replacing had to go, particle board adorned with real wood grain stick on vinyl. Had trouble picking the first pic but chose the partially assembled one with the blue background.
Nice looking shelfs and a huge improvement over the old one. I made a pair of similar but shorter shelves for my daughter. Actually I made one for her and she liked it so much she asked for a matching one. You may find you self making more too....
Again many thanks to all for looking and your comments.
I saw Les' shelf for his daughter on LJ, the idea stuck in my mind. Searched back issues of Fine WW mags at library looking for that shelf design to no avail. Did find his on LJ and told him I was going to copy the slat design.
As to the design I tried to use Ross L's idea of the slots running through the spanners/aprons like he did on the chair backs. I milled slots through the short apron pieces with a 3/8" up spiral bit. It is too short to go all the way through so the pieces had to be flipped. The holes were almost good enough but not quite, the idea of remaking the pieces....ugh. The slots show on the glue up picture with strap clamps.
I do love the community shop, well equipped, great tools, plentiful supplies.
If any of you are in the AZ area during the Winter send me a message here & I will give you a tour.
