Do you have a pile of books on your desk right now? If so, then a desktop bookshelf could be highly beneficial to you. This inexpensive and easy to put together bookshelf can really help to sort the clutter on your desk or tabletop and it can be an attractive addition to your living space. First, you will need to get some materials from your local home improvement center or hardware store. While your there, pick up any tools you do not have that are on the following list.
Materials:
One 1×8″ oak or pine @ 4′
One Gallon Stain and Varnish
Paintbrush and rags
Tools:
Table saw
Jig saw or Scroll saw
Cordless Drill w/ ¼” paddle bit
Hammer and Chisel
Sandpaper or Palm Sander
Circular saw
Let’s begin!
First, take the Circular saw and cut the 1×8 into two sections 10″. The next piece you can cut to the length you want your bookshelf to be. For this project, I cut the 1×8 to 20″. Start up the table saw and rip the 20″ 1×8 into two pieces 3 ½” wide.
Clamp down one of the 10″ pieces to a workbench and trace the pattern from the drawing onto the board. Cut it out with a jigsaw. When you are done cutting the board, transfer the outline of the board you just cut to the other 10″ 1×8. This will assure that both sidepieces are equal in size and shape. Drill a hole with a cordless drill and ¼”paddle bit. Use the jigsaw to cut out the rectangle. Use a hammer and chisel to smooth the hole for a proper fit.
Now clamp down the two 20″ ripped boards and transfer the measurements in the diagram to the ends of the 20″ pieces. Use a jigsaw and carefully cut the pattern out. To cut the hole out in the center, get out a cordless drill and a ¼-paddle bit. Drill two small holes on each end of the square mark. Use the jigsaw to cut out the rest. Use the hammer and chisel to smooth the hole to accommodate for the shim.
Transfer the two shims’ measurements from the blueprint to the wood. Set them on one end of the long piece of left over rips. Carefully use the table saw and rip the wood. Now that the pieces are ripped, cut off the remainder with a hand saw. Clamp the wood in a vise to keep it steady while you cut the small piece. Do not forget to make a relief cut on the other side of the wood before you saw through it, or it might split!
Assemble the bookrack. Chisel out any wood that might cause the bookends not to fit the slats properly. Sand all the ends for a smooth fit. If you don’t ever want to take the bookshelf apart again, you can glue it in place now. After you sand your completed bookshelf, stain it and ad a coat of varnish. Sand the varnish with fine grit sandpaper and apply another coat of varnish. Repeat the process until the desire finish has been achieved. Enjoy your new bookshelf!
