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#1 ·
Planning

My niece, CC is graduating from the 8th grade this month and asked me to build her a book case as a present. How could I say no?

A little planning:

Wood Rectangle Font Parallel Hardwood


I find a shop sketch is vital for getting things right. We use shop drawings at work all the time, for the big stuff, it stands to reason that they're good for the small stuff, too.

Case will be made from solid oak. Heavy as can be, stong, able to take the abuse of a young person, and I hope it stays with her for a long time.

Dimensions are 30"W x 64"L x 12"D.

Then a trip to HD and a rough cut to 6' & 3' sections to acclumate in the shop.

Wood Gas Outdoor bench Machine Metal


Lumber cost a lot of $$ and I am a bit salty over the cost. I posted a forum question asking anyone if they know a better source for boards.

http://lumberjocks.com/topics/50382

(The light clamped on the bench is for my son's bean stalks. We are going to climb them into the clouds, one day, and go get us a giant!)
 

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#2 ·
Planning

My niece, CC is graduating from the 8th grade this month and asked me to build her a book case as a present. How could I say no?

A little planning:

Wood Rectangle Font Parallel Hardwood


I find a shop sketch is vital for getting things right. We use shop drawings at work all the time, for the big stuff, it stands to reason that they're good for the small stuff, too.

Case will be made from solid oak. Heavy as can be, stong, able to take the abuse of a young person, and I hope it stays with her for a long time.

Dimensions are 30"W x 64"L x 12"D.

Then a trip to HD and a rough cut to 6' & 3' sections to acclumate in the shop.

Wood Gas Outdoor bench Machine Metal


Lumber cost a lot of $$ and I am a bit salty over the cost. I posted a forum question asking anyone if they know a better source for boards.

http://lumberjocks.com/topics/50382

(The light clamped on the bench is for my son's bean stalks. We are going to climb them into the clouds, one day, and go get us a giant!)
I love the fact that I am not the only one drawing out my plans on line paper. looks good can't wait to see the final project
 

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#3 ·
Planning

My niece, CC is graduating from the 8th grade this month and asked me to build her a book case as a present. How could I say no?

A little planning:

Wood Rectangle Font Parallel Hardwood


I find a shop sketch is vital for getting things right. We use shop drawings at work all the time, for the big stuff, it stands to reason that they're good for the small stuff, too.

Case will be made from solid oak. Heavy as can be, stong, able to take the abuse of a young person, and I hope it stays with her for a long time.

Dimensions are 30"W x 64"L x 12"D.

Then a trip to HD and a rough cut to 6' & 3' sections to acclumate in the shop.

Wood Gas Outdoor bench Machine Metal


Lumber cost a lot of $$ and I am a bit salty over the cost. I posted a forum question asking anyone if they know a better source for boards.

http://lumberjocks.com/topics/50382

(The light clamped on the bench is for my son's bean stalks. We are going to climb them into the clouds, one day, and go get us a giant!)
Glad to find another notebook-paper designer. If it's flat, I'll draw on it… napkins, table cloths, envelopes..
 

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#4 ·
Swapped boards for plywood and saved a bunch of $$$

I posted this question and received a ton of great LJ responses! This web site is really awesome for getting good advice. http://lumberjocks.com/topics/50382

So, Craigslist looks like a great source for lumber, but I lack a jointer and planer. Next best thing was to return all the 1Ă—12s to HD and bought a sheet of 3/4" plywood. The total lumber cost dropped from $265 to $115, which is much more palatable.

I set up a straight edge and my Skil-saw to rip the plywood into 11-1/4" boards in place of the returned 1Ă—12's. I cut everything a little wide with the Skil-saw and then cut to final dimensions on my table saw.
Car Automotive parking light Wheel Land vehicle Vehicle


Check the sled is square to the blade. I know this is a poor excuse for a sled - if I'm not ultra-steady, the boards rock and I get a wobbly cut. As long as I'm careful, it works out.

Guitar accessory Wood String instrument accessory String instrument String instrument


I clamped three shelves together and cut them to final length in one swoop. That way everything matches exact.

Automotive tire Wood Rectangle Fixture Grey


Table Wood Automotive tire Floor Flooring


Check the depth on the router (1/3 the board depth), get out the fence & clamps, the back to the auxiliary shop (aka garage).

Gas Automotive wheel system Wood Machine Engineering


Wood Audio equipment Gas Flooring Camera accessory


Hood Automotive tire Wood Table Bumper


This piece is 23" wide. After routing the dadoes, I split it down the middle on the table saw, then cut the other edge off each side to make two 11-1/4" book case sides. Dadoes before ripping ensure the dadoes are in the exact same location on either side of the book case. Final trimming removed any tear outs from the router.

Tire Wheel Automotive parking light Automotive tire Table


How do ya like my out feed table? I need to make two more, so I have cover all sides of the table saw.

Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain Hardwood


I used the table saw to cut 1/4" x 1/4" rabbits to accept the back of the case. I kicked over the fence 1/16" for each pass. You see the grooves it causes in the rabbit. I don't like this and cleaned them up a bit with a chisel.

Wood Hood Table Floor Wood stain


Lastly, I moved all my final cut boards to the shop for glue up and I realized I ran out of glue. I'll buy some glue by next weekend. I took the kid to the park for the rest of the day.

Wood Gas Lumber Machine Machine tool


Thanks for having a look. J-
 

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#5 ·
Swapped boards for plywood and saved a bunch of $$$

I posted this question and received a ton of great LJ responses! This web site is really awesome for getting good advice. http://lumberjocks.com/topics/50382

So, Craigslist looks like a great source for lumber, but I lack a jointer and planer. Next best thing was to return all the 1Ă—12s to HD and bought a sheet of 3/4" plywood. The total lumber cost dropped from $265 to $115, which is much more palatable.

I set up a straight edge and my Skil-saw to rip the plywood into 11-1/4" boards in place of the returned 1Ă—12's. I cut everything a little wide with the Skil-saw and then cut to final dimensions on my table saw.
Car Automotive parking light Wheel Land vehicle Vehicle


Check the sled is square to the blade. I know this is a poor excuse for a sled - if I'm not ultra-steady, the boards rock and I get a wobbly cut. As long as I'm careful, it works out.

Guitar accessory Wood String instrument accessory String instrument String instrument


I clamped three shelves together and cut them to final length in one swoop. That way everything matches exact.

Automotive tire Wood Rectangle Fixture Grey


Table Wood Automotive tire Floor Flooring


Check the depth on the router (1/3 the board depth), get out the fence & clamps, the back to the auxiliary shop (aka garage).

Gas Automotive wheel system Wood Machine Engineering


Wood Audio equipment Gas Flooring Camera accessory


Hood Automotive tire Wood Table Bumper


This piece is 23" wide. After routing the dadoes, I split it down the middle on the table saw, then cut the other edge off each side to make two 11-1/4" book case sides. Dadoes before ripping ensure the dadoes are in the exact same location on either side of the book case. Final trimming removed any tear outs from the router.

Tire Wheel Automotive parking light Automotive tire Table


How do ya like my out feed table? I need to make two more, so I have cover all sides of the table saw.

Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain Hardwood


I used the table saw to cut 1/4" x 1/4" rabbits to accept the back of the case. I kicked over the fence 1/16" for each pass. You see the grooves it causes in the rabbit. I don't like this and cleaned them up a bit with a chisel.

Wood Hood Table Floor Wood stain


Lastly, I moved all my final cut boards to the shop for glue up and I realized I ran out of glue. I'll buy some glue by next weekend. I took the kid to the park for the rest of the day.

Wood Gas Lumber Machine Machine tool


Thanks for having a look. J-
Great progress, and a significant savings over the hardwood cost from HD. Go you!
 

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#7 ·
Glue Day!

It's been a heck of a June. Two camping trips, a wedding, graduation parties, birthday parties, and needless to say - CC did not get her book case in time for graduation day. Oh well. She didn't make a big deal.

Today, I had some free time. I ripped down some boards and edge glued the top. A bit of sanding will be needed to clean up the faces.
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Engineering Plywood


I cut and dadoed the plywood about 3 weeks ago and its been sitting in my basement shop during all these family events. And its been a wet June. So, I had a little warpage and some swelling - those %$?^%xing joints are tight and it took a lot of pounding and excessive clamping to get the carcass together.

Wood Shelving Shelf Gas Machine


Some of my joints turned out real tight and proper:

Property Laundry room Window Wood Interior design


And some of my joints turned out real poor:

Wood Gas Engineering Machine Shelving


I used #8 screws through the sides into the shelves for extra reinforcement, so I am not worried about a couple poorly glued portions of the joints. The face frame will cover up my boo-boos, and help tie in the shelves. The back will also help tie in the shelves.

You may have noticed, I moved the avocado tree out of the shop. It's doing quite well in the garden, with all this rain.

2 hours invested today.
 

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#8 ·
Glue Day!

It's been a heck of a June. Two camping trips, a wedding, graduation parties, birthday parties, and needless to say - CC did not get her book case in time for graduation day. Oh well. She didn't make a big deal.

Today, I had some free time. I ripped down some boards and edge glued the top. A bit of sanding will be needed to clean up the faces.
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Engineering Plywood


I cut and dadoed the plywood about 3 weeks ago and its been sitting in my basement shop during all these family events. And its been a wet June. So, I had a little warpage and some swelling - those %$?^%xing joints are tight and it took a lot of pounding and excessive clamping to get the carcass together.

Wood Shelving Shelf Gas Machine


Some of my joints turned out real tight and proper:

Property Laundry room Window Wood Interior design


And some of my joints turned out real poor:

Wood Gas Engineering Machine Shelving


I used #8 screws through the sides into the shelves for extra reinforcement, so I am not worried about a couple poorly glued portions of the joints. The face frame will cover up my boo-boos, and help tie in the shelves. The back will also help tie in the shelves.

You may have noticed, I moved the avocado tree out of the shop. It's doing quite well in the garden, with all this rain.

2 hours invested today.
Looking good, and never mind the little gaps. Are you making a face frame for it next?
 

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#10 ·
Top of the case

I used a chisel to knock off most of the glue squeeze out. Then I used 80-grit sandpaper on the orbital sander to smooth out the joints on both sides. Nothing makes your arms tingle like using that sander for a good 15 - 20 minutes!
Wood Table Floor Flooring Wood stain


Squared up the sides on the table saw and trimmed the corners round with the jig saw. I used the jig saw to cut up to the lines and used the orbital sander for the final trim. Last, a little hand sanding to get the corners right. (The boy got into some of my sockets so they're all over the floor.)
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Electrical wiring Plywood


I took the router table outside and put a nice bead all around the board. I clamped a piece of scrap to the table top to work as a starting pin. I hold the work piece against the corner of the scrap and tilt it into the cutter.
Plant Furniture Outdoor bench Table Street furniture


A little more hand sanding with 80 grit paper to knock off some rough stuff and relieve the corners. If I do say so, myself, it's a good looking top.
Rectangle Wood Bumper Automotive exterior Gas


So, that was another two hours spent, but I was playing with the boy and my cousin stopped by to hang out for a while. So, to be fair, I'd say 1 total hour of work invested, last night.

I knocked this little dolly together a while back for something or another. Anyway, it's become an invaluable piece of equipment in my dinky shop because I had to move the book case carcass out of my way about 20 times, last night.
Wood Hardwood Flooring Gas Outdoor bench


Thanks for having a look!
 

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#11 ·
The Bowman and The Spearman

On my way home from work, the other day, I passed though Grant Park. "The Bowman and The Spearman" sculptures caught my attention. The sculptor did not make the weapons - you have to imagine them.

I was inspired to make a bow.

http://chicago-outdoor-sculptures.blogspot.com/2007/09/bowman-and-spearman.html

Sky Plant Cloud Working animal Wall


A 1/4" piece of scrap oak and some string made a bow (no doubt, Mestrovic would have been impressed). I used a bunch of clamps and some blocks to keep the arc where I wanted. Then, I traced along the bow to make my mark.

Wood Electrical wiring Bumper Gas Auto part


Table Wood Handheld power drill Flooring Wood stain


I rough cut the arc with my jig saw. See how I stay just left of the line. As long as I don't cross the line, this is a quick way to lop off a big chunk of scrap.

Wood Bicycle part Hardwood Auto part Composite material


And a final sculpting of my own, with an 80 grit palm sander. I sand until the line disappears. Note that I clamped the top and bottom together. I cut and sanded them at the same time, so they are an exact match.

Wood Automotive tire Bumper Wall Automotive exterior


I don't know if there's an easier way of doing this, but it worked for me.

I guess I had about 2 hours invested.

Thanks for having a look. J-
 

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#12 ·
The Bowman and The Spearman

On my way home from work, the other day, I passed though Grant Park. "The Bowman and The Spearman" sculptures caught my attention. The sculptor did not make the weapons - you have to imagine them.

I was inspired to make a bow.

http://chicago-outdoor-sculptures.blogspot.com/2007/09/bowman-and-spearman.html

Sky Plant Cloud Working animal Wall


A 1/4" piece of scrap oak and some string made a bow (no doubt, Mestrovic would have been impressed). I used a bunch of clamps and some blocks to keep the arc where I wanted. Then, I traced along the bow to make my mark.

Wood Electrical wiring Bumper Gas Auto part


Table Wood Handheld power drill Flooring Wood stain


I rough cut the arc with my jig saw. See how I stay just left of the line. As long as I don't cross the line, this is a quick way to lop off a big chunk of scrap.

Wood Bicycle part Hardwood Auto part Composite material


And a final sculpting of my own, with an 80 grit palm sander. I sand until the line disappears. Note that I clamped the top and bottom together. I cut and sanded them at the same time, so they are an exact match.

Wood Automotive tire Bumper Wall Automotive exterior


I don't know if there's an easier way of doing this, but it worked for me.

I guess I had about 2 hours invested.

Thanks for having a look. J-
This is the hand grip you are fashioning?
 

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#13 ·
Face Frame

It's been such a beautiful summer that I haven't spent any time in the shop, and the project has suffered. My wife reminded me this present is way overdue (graduation was in June). That lit a little fire and I got back to work over this long Labor Day weekend. It really felt good to get back in the shop and start building again - really cleared my mind of life's clutter.

So, I put on some feet…
Wood Wood stain Flooring Floor Hardwood


Then, I built the face frame. I started with just the four exterior pieces of the frame; glued and pocket screwed them. It's good and square…
Saw Wood Tool Hand tool Metalworking hand tool


Wood Wood stain Hardwood Gas Plank


I clamped the frame to the face of the carcass (You don't see those clamps in this picture). I cut the mid rails to length and clamped them into place within the frame. I marked the location of the mid rails, so they go back in the exact same spot during glue up. (In hind sight, I should have marked it differently because the mark is right in the inside corner and is going to be a pain to sand off.)
Table Wood Gesture Wood stain Varnish


Then some pocket hole production…
Watch Wood Metalworking hand tool Tool Gas


Wood Rectangle Wood stain Floor Hardwood


Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain Hardwood


Wood Motor vehicle Gas Electrical wiring Machine


Once the frame was all assembled, I glued it to the carcass. I clamped the stiles, and finish nailed the rails to the plywood shelves to line things up and to hold while the glue dried. (I don't have a biscuit joiner.) I screwed through the top into the frame.

Looks good, if I do say so myself.
Wood Stairs Automotive exterior Shelving Gas


I didn't really keep track, but I estimate about 8 more hours invested.
 

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#14 ·
Face Frame

It's been such a beautiful summer that I haven't spent any time in the shop, and the project has suffered. My wife reminded me this present is way overdue (graduation was in June). That lit a little fire and I got back to work over this long Labor Day weekend. It really felt good to get back in the shop and start building again - really cleared my mind of life's clutter.

So, I put on some feet…
Wood Wood stain Flooring Floor Hardwood


Then, I built the face frame. I started with just the four exterior pieces of the frame; glued and pocket screwed them. It's good and square…
Saw Wood Tool Hand tool Metalworking hand tool


Wood Wood stain Hardwood Gas Plank


I clamped the frame to the face of the carcass (You don't see those clamps in this picture). I cut the mid rails to length and clamped them into place within the frame. I marked the location of the mid rails, so they go back in the exact same spot during glue up. (In hind sight, I should have marked it differently because the mark is right in the inside corner and is going to be a pain to sand off.)
Table Wood Gesture Wood stain Varnish


Then some pocket hole production…
Watch Wood Metalworking hand tool Tool Gas


Wood Rectangle Wood stain Floor Hardwood


Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain Hardwood


Wood Motor vehicle Gas Electrical wiring Machine


Once the frame was all assembled, I glued it to the carcass. I clamped the stiles, and finish nailed the rails to the plywood shelves to line things up and to hold while the glue dried. (I don't have a biscuit joiner.) I screwed through the top into the frame.

Looks good, if I do say so myself.
Wood Stairs Automotive exterior Shelving Gas


I didn't really keep track, but I estimate about 8 more hours invested.
Hey-hey! That's looking really good! I bet it'll be great when you're done. I like the top and face frame.
 

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#16 ·
TaDUM!

Plant Wood Shade Rectangle Shelf


Well, 14 months later, CC's 8th grade graduation present is complete (She graduated last June, ugh).

At work, I like to say that "Excuses + No Results = No Results". So, I will spare you my excuses, as they are plentiful. But, I finally got her done. CC asked the case remain unfinished, as she plans to paint & decorate it herself.

I figure I spent a total of about 30 man-hours and about $150 in materials on the project.

My wife love's this bookcase so much and has been joking that we should keep it for ourselves.
I guess I have another one on the horizon. But, in the mean time, I wrapped the case up in blankets, to keep my wife from coveting her niece's present, until I deliver it, next week.

Textile Wood Comfort Flooring Floor


One question for the experienced Jocks out there. Look at this crack in the top. (CC is getting the book case just like this - who sees the top anyway.)

Wood Table Plant Outdoor furniture Rectangle


Expansion? Contraction? Dry Chicago winters and humid summers. How to resolve? How to keep this from happening in the future?

After a long hard look at the finished project, I realize I am long way from my best work and I know that each project will be a litter better than the last. Practice makes perfect and I do enjoy the practice.

Thanks for having a look!

J-
 

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#17 ·
TaDUM!

Plant Wood Shade Rectangle Shelf


Well, 14 months later, CC's 8th grade graduation present is complete (She graduated last June, ugh).

At work, I like to say that "Excuses + No Results = No Results". So, I will spare you my excuses, as they are plentiful. But, I finally got her done. CC asked the case remain unfinished, as she plans to paint & decorate it herself.

I figure I spent a total of about 30 man-hours and about $150 in materials on the project.

My wife love's this bookcase so much and has been joking that we should keep it for ourselves.
I guess I have another one on the horizon. But, in the mean time, I wrapped the case up in blankets, to keep my wife from coveting her niece's present, until I deliver it, next week.

Textile Wood Comfort Flooring Floor


One question for the experienced Jocks out there. Look at this crack in the top. (CC is getting the book case just like this - who sees the top anyway.)

Wood Table Plant Outdoor furniture Rectangle


Expansion? Contraction? Dry Chicago winters and humid summers. How to resolve? How to keep this from happening in the future?

After a long hard look at the finished project, I realize I am long way from my best work and I know that each project will be a litter better than the last. Practice makes perfect and I do enjoy the practice.

Thanks for having a look!

J-
Very nice job, I hope your niece loves it.
 

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