If there were only one thing we've learned from 3+ years of home reno projects (and hopefully we've learned more than one thing) it's that the way to get where you want is the same way you get to Carnegie Hall, "Practice, practice, practice." So as we embark on a new project to build a wall of bookshelves, we thought it might behoove us to try out the new tools previewed in the last post.
The tool in the whiter box allows you to join two pieces of wood together either side-by-side (say, if you wanted to make a tabletop) or an an angle while concealing the connecting screws. It does that by sinking the screws into the board and produces a really secure join. The first step is to drill the pilot hole using the bit that comes with the jig and then follow up with a screw, like so:
The jig allows you to install two screws without needing to move it. Since we were just playing around we did the simple thing and used them both. Here we've actually attached two boards at a 90-degree angle, it's a little easier to see in the second image. Even with only two screws attached in the middle of the boards the connection was pretty snug.
We plan to use that jig to attach the sides of the bookshelf to the four legs and to attach the fixed shelves (every bookshelf needs a few permanent shelves for stability even if all the rest are adjustable).
With that mastered we tried out the other tool in the bluer box. This one will provide nice even spacing for the adjustable shelves. Step one is to start with a board, standing in for the future side of the shelves.
Secure the jig on top of it.
Use your drill and the special bit provided to create hollows of the perfect size and depth for the shelf pins.
We're going to take the practice concept one step further by building a small test bookshelf in the same design we want to use for the full-size ones to identify and iron out any kinks. Stay tuned for our baby bookshelf.
Well we've been enjoying a nice long break, hope you have too. Yesterday was our third anniversary in the house and it's warmed up the reno juices. We have a big project to tackle early in the new year, but until then it's about time to whip our library into shape. That means new bookshelves!
As regular readers are aware, earlier this year we converted the two perfectly fine bookshelves that were in the library into custom jobs for the studio. That's left the other books in quite a state of disarray and we can't have that.
Before tackling the job of making four shelves from scratch we needed to get prepared. That meant tidying up the work space, so we grouped all our spare wood by type:
added a new shelf:
and put some of the more interesting pieces on their higher pedestal:
Next we decided to invest in a few specialty tools. Building a bookshelf is pretty exacting and since we need to make four exact copies, it made sense to have a couple items to aid us. This first one will make the holes for removable shelves (which will sit on pegs) uniform:
This one, from the same maker, allows you to attach two pieces of wood with partially hidden screws or dowels:
The goal we're aiming for is a piece we saw at Crate and Barrel more than a year ago. You'll be able to tell us how close we come.
