Book cabinets can be tall and narrow or long and low; it's your choice if you make your own.
When the books are beginning to pile up on the floor, in the closet and on the tables, it is time to get a book cabinet. Book cabinets can be quite expensive, difficult to assemble and large to move around, so making a homemade cabinet may be a cheaper and easier process. Building a book cabinet from scratch also means the freedom to decide size, color, shape and costs.
Instructions
1. Measure the area where you will place the book cabinet to determine the height, length and depth of the cabinet. If it needs to fit under certain elements, such as lamps or paintings, it is a good idea to have the measurements at hand. Collect the measurements by measuring the wall it will stand against for height and length, while measuring out from the wall to get the depth. Purchase the plywood using those measurements.
2. Use the jigsaw to cut the pieces of plywood for the sides to the desired length. Use sandpaper to smooth the sides. Do the same to the two pieces of plywood that will be the top and bottom of the cabinet.
3. Take one of the pieces of plywood you cut for the top and bottom; this will be the bottom of the cabinet. Stand the piece and one of the side pieces on their sides, forming a thin L-shape, with the bottom piece inside the side piece.
4. Make two small markings on the side piece near each corner. This should be at the 90-degree angle of the L-shape and is where the screws will be inserted to hold the two pieces of plywood together.
5. Use the mechanical screwdriver to insert a screw at one of the marks. Make sure it is firmly screwed in to the bottom board before inserting the second screw. Repeat the process with the top part of the cabinet. The piece should now have a mechanical C-shape.
6. Use the jigsaw to cut the pieces of plywood for the shelves. Use sandpaper to make them smooth.
7. Now it is time to be creative. Decide if the shelves will be spaced equally in the cabinet or if some shelves will be closer together. Use the pencil to make markings on the outside of the cabinet to indicate where the shelves will be attached. Make two marks per shelf.
8. Use the mechanical screwdriver to attach each shelf to the side of the cabinet, just like the top and bottom were attached. When that's completed, flip the cabinet onto the side, so that the top, bottom and shelves are sticking up in the air.
9. Take the last piece of plywood and place it atop the sticking-up pieces of plywood. If possible, use the shelves in determining where to mark the position of the screws on that side of the cabinet. If not, use the measuring tape. Measure the distance between each set of screws on the first side, then mark the second side at the same spots. This will ensure that the shelves are even and stable.
10. Use the mechanical screwdriver to insert the screws connecting the second side to the top, bottom and shelves. When finished, lay the cabinet face down.
11. Use a hammer and nails to attach the large flat piece of plywood on the back of the cabinet. This will close up the back of the book cabinet. Hammer the nails into the perimeter of the cabinet. When finished, raise the cabinet and stand it up. Place it against the wall.
12. Now it's time to attach the doors. The cabinet doors can be purchased at a store or homemade with personal decorations or painted. Use the screwdriver to attach the two handles where desired. Handles frequently are attached from the back of the cabinet door, using holes drilled through the doors, so that the screws are hidden.
13. Take two of the hinges to attach one cabinet door. Attach one hinge at a time. Place one hinge on the inside of the cabinet on the upper left side to attach the left cabinet door. The second hinge will be near the bottom of the cabinet door. Use the screwdriver to attach the hinges. Repeat this step for the right cabinet door.
14. Close the cabinet doors to make sure they close evenly. If not, make adjustments. Some pre-cut cabinet doors may be crooked, if they are not cut by professionals. Make slight adjustments using the hinges to make them close evenly. When done, fill the cabinet with books.
Tags: pieces plywood, cabinet door, book cabinet, bottom cabinet, cabinet doors