Cherry and Plywood Bookshelf

This is my first big furniture project using quality hardwoods (with some cheaper plywood). Also my first project using a dado stack, which I will be looking to use in every future project because of how great it works.

Some may recognize this design from various FWW publications and advertisements. I did print the featured article, though I adjusted the size and design to incorporate plywood into the panels, shelves and top in order to cut down on material costs. Also, the shelves are fixed since I didn’t think I would ever need to move them and I thought this would provide greater stability as well as a cleaner look.

Finish is a couple coats of “tung oil varnish”, followed by some wax.

One thing I learned from this is that all Cherry is not created equal, and the figure did vary some between the 6/4 and 4/4 material, though I think this will fade as the cherry darkens. Regardless, live and learn, I will be more aware of this int he future.

All comments/critiques/criticisms are greatly appreciated.

Edit: Don’t judge me on the shims under the legs, my apt bedroom probably has an 8’’ drop over the 12ft span. Things on the ground actually move towards the downhill over time – true story.

-- Dan Chiappetta, NYC, http://www.9x7woodworks.com