RYOBI Nation. How to Build a Bookcase: Step-by-Step Woodworking Plans. American Artist I built my first bookcase in middle school. A multitiered assemblage of wooden planks laid across stacks of bricks, it was reminiscent of pieces from the early Flintstone Period--and I was proud to have made it myself. Since that masterpiece, I've built 50 or 60 more, most while working as a cabinetmaker for an interior design firm, where I learned the carpentry skills, design guidelines and construction techniques used in the bookcase shown here. Basically consisting of three plywood boxes fitted with a hardwood face frame, this piece looks built-in because it spans from wall to wall, and is trimmed with molding at the ceiling and floor.
I used 3/4-in. birch plywood for the cases, 4/4 sustainably harvested African mahogany for the face frames and 3/4-in. mahogany plywood for the sides surrounding the doorway. On permanent display: mahogany, solid biscuit joints--and a whole lot of class. Making Choices Two pieces of plywood form each side of the cases. . + Click to enlarge. Why Pay? 24/7 Free Access to Free Woodworking Plans and Projects. Why Every DIYer Needs a Thickness Planer. A Woodworker's Bench Notes, your source for plans, jigs and information.