Instructions for How to Build a Bookcase

Cut the Rabbets

• 1

  Set the height of the table saw blade so that it will cut a groove 3/8-inch deep in the pine. This will be the depth of the rabbet. Rabbets are cut into the sides of the bookcases for each shelf. The shelves are inserted into the rabbets and then glued and screwed to the sides of the bookcase. This construction technique creates a much sturdier structure than you would make by just butting the shelves up against the sides of the bookcase.

• 2

  Measure 1 1/2 inches from the bottom of a 36-inch piece of pine. Make a mark with a pencil. Make another mark 3/4-inch up the board from the first mark. The two marks show where the first rabbet will be cut. Align the board across the table saw bed with the right edge of the table saw blade aligned with the first mark. The larger part of the board is to your left. Set the fence to butt up against the end of the board nearest to the blade. This serves as your guide for cutting the first groove. Push the board through the table saw to cut the groove. Repeat to cut a groove on the second 36-inch long piece of pine. Do not remeasure. Use the fence as your guide. Remove the fence.

• 3

  Put the first board on the table saw and align the left edge of the table saw blade with your second mark. Reset the fence and cut the groove. Repeat for the second board. Remove the fence. You now have two boards, each with two grooves. One groove is 1 1/2 inches from the bottom. The other groove is 2 1/4 inches from the bottom.

• 4

  Set the first board against the table saw blade so that the blade will remove part of the wood between the two grooves. Reset the fence and cut the new groove. Repeat with the second board. Remove the fence. Do this once or twice more so that you have removed all of the wood between the two grooves on both boards. This is the first set of rabbets. These two rabbets will accept and hold the bottom shelf of the bookcase.

• 5

  Cut three more rabbets on each board following the same procedure. One rabbet should begin 12 inches from the bottom of the board. The next should begin 24 inches from the bottom of the board. The final rabbet should begin 35-1/4 inches from the bottom of the board. Each rabbet is 3/4 inches wide. The final rabbet will have no wood left on the sides above it. The top shelf of the bookcase will be set into this rabbet.

Attach the Shelves

• 6

  Drill three 1/16-inch pilot holed along each rabbet. The first should be 1 inch from the edge of the board, the second 4 3/4 inches from the edge of the board and the third 1 inch from the other edge.

• 7

  Draw a bead of glue along the bottom rabbet on both sides of the bookcase. Assemble the shelf so that one end is inserted into each rabbet. Use a carpenter's square to check that the sides are exactly perpendicular to the shelf. Drive screws into each of the three pilot holes in each rabbet.

• 8

  Repeat to assemble the top shelf of the bookcase. Use a bar clamp to clamp the top shelf and the bottom shelf to keep the assembly square and tight.

• 9

  Repeat to assemble the two middle shelves of the bookcase. Allow the glue to dry. Remove the bar clamps.

Attach the Toe Kick

• 10

  Drill a pilot hole into each side of the bookcase 3/4 inches from the bottom and 1/4 inch in from the front of the bookcase.

• 11

  Set the 1 by 2 by 29-1/4-inch piece of pine into the bookcase so that it aligns exactly with the bottom of the sides and butts up against the bottom of the bottom shelf. Run a bead of glue along the sides and top of the toe kick, put it in place and hold it in place with screws driven into the pilot holes.

• 12

  Clamp the toe kick in place using a bar clamp until the glue dries. Sand and finish the bookcase using clear polyurethane, paint or stain.