About 3 days before the bookcase challenge, I thought I’d try my luck at drawing a plan for this bookshelf.
I made this to fit in a corner of Barb’s little library in our basement.
I purchased some MDF plastic clad oak pattern shelf boards,
& I had some old stair balusters from a dilapidated house that was raised.
I set them up in my lathe, & turned 3/4” tenons in the middle before I cut them in half.
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This is the completed bookshelf.
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This is what I’ve accomplished in the past week and a half.
I’m still trying to draw in the balusters, which has been a struggle, but I think I’ll solve it,
because I’ve made it this far.
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The spindles.


-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1


















16 comments so far
ChicoWoodnut
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904 posts in 1986 days
#1 posted 1854 days ago
Looks like your getting the hang of it.
-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net
Scott Bryan
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27262 posts in 1993 days
#2 posted 1854 days ago
Dick,
You have done well. Sketchup is a very promising design tool but it does have a steep learning curve. You have done a good job of mastering Sketchup so far. Congratulations on your success (I know that you can do just about anything that you set your mind to).
By the way nice bookcase as well. I like the look of the balusters as shelf supports.
Thanks for the inspiration.
-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine
GaryK
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10263 posts in 2159 days
#3 posted 1854 days ago
I know where you are coming from Dick. I’m trying to learn sketchup also.
Good job.
-- Gary - Never pass up the opportunity to make a mistake look like you planned it that way - Tyler, TX
rikkor
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11296 posts in 2046 days
#4 posted 1854 days ago
Good job Dick. I like your bookcase. I’ve just come from a SketchUp session of a project I plan to build. I’ll post it all when I’m done.
joey
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396 posts in 2075 days
#5 posted 1854 days ago
This is something I have really start working on also, but its hard now that the suns out, and its warm, and my grandsons want me to play outside with them. nice job on the SketchUp sometimes I don’t think I will get the hang of it. but its probably me just being me not wanting to let go of my pencil.
-- Joey~~Sabina, Ohio http://sleepydogwoodworking.blogspot.com/
dlcarver
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270 posts in 1901 days
#6 posted 1854 days ago
I don’t even know where to begin. I don’t think I was cut out for pc work. I guess it’s always better to have tried and failed than not to have tried at all.
Dave
-- Dave Leitem,Butler,Pa.,http://dlcarver.etsy.com
Dick, & Barb Cain
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8681 posts in 2471 days
#7 posted 1854 days ago
It’s really hard to let go of the old drawing board.
Especially at this stage of the game.
I think it was much easier going from hand tools to power tools. LOL
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
Ingemar
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10 posts in 1918 days
#8 posted 1854 days ago
Maybe a stupid question; but what is “MDF paper clad oak print shelf boards”?
To make the spindles. Actually, I hated the “follow-me”-tool. Until, that is, I got the hang of it. If you have the “for dummies” book, read it and look at the videos on www.aidanchopra.com. If you don’t have the book, never mind, just go to the site and look at the videos. They are very easy and informative. You can’t go wrong.
Dick, & Barb Cain
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8681 posts in 2471 days
#9 posted 1854 days ago
I’m sorry I called it paper clad, but its plastic, it has oak grain printed on it.
It’s especially made for shelving. It has a rounded edge.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
jockmike2
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10636 posts in 2418 days
#10 posted 1853 days ago
Nice going Dick, everytime I start on that darn thing I get so frustrated I just want to quit, so I do. Then six months go by and I’l;l try again. I’ts beyond me I’m afraid. lol, You did a great job though. mike
-- (You just have to please the man in the Mirror) Mike from Michigan -
Dick, & Barb Cain
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8681 posts in 2471 days
#11 posted 1853 days ago
Thanks Mike,
But today I’ve been 5 steps forward, & 3 steps back.
UGH!
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
Grumpy
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17840 posts in 2022 days
#12 posted 1853 days ago
Thats the way Dick. Never too old to learn.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
Lee A. Jesberger
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6501 posts in 2151 days
#13 posted 1853 days ago
Hi Dick;
As my friend always says;
“onwards and sideways”
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Dick, & Barb Cain
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8681 posts in 2471 days
#14 posted 1853 days ago
I don’t think I’ll ever be a SketchUp expert, but I’ll try to do my best. Whatever That is!
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
Slacker
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178 posts in 1872 days
#15 posted 1852 days ago
Don’t forget… every time you make an addition to the piece, triple click on the addition (to select all of its components), and make it into a group. You can edit the grouped addition at your leisure by double-clicking on it.
About shaping the spindles, that looks like too much work. Square is good enough if you can live with them. I might change my mind if I ever get a paying customer, but I saw a video someone posted on how to make a cabriolet leg with Sketchup that might give you some ideas on how to do shapes with round features.
Good luck, and don’t give it up.
-- Adapt, improvise, overcome
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