Barrister Bookcase

The first that came to mind when I saw that, was NYW.

Great job. You don’t need the hardware he used.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

This is a very nice piece of furniture. And their history adds a nice touch to the piece as well.

Thanks for sharing.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Nice work on the case. Can you show us how your dowels work for the glass? I would like to make one, but not use the hardware either since it is so expensive.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

Nice case! I’ve always wanted one – my grandfather had a pair of them when I was growing up. Maybe it’s time I got off my duff and gave it a shot. I like your dowel method too – seems more “authentic” than some stuff that I’ve seen in other plans.

-- To do is to be

I like it, and, having grown up in a 200 year old house with pine floorboards in upstate New York, yeah, a good solid pine isn’t the stuff you get in the lumber yards these days.

I too am interested in the details of the mechanism you made. We’re looking at making barrister’s bookcases for a wall here, because we hate dusting, and I’ve looked at various approaches for making my own slides. I’ve been edging towards routing an “L” groove in each side of the cabinet sides, and having dowels project. out the sides of the doors that ride in those “L”s, which I assume is what you’ve done. I figured holding the dowels in by routing grooves in the back of the door (maybe with a bullnose bit, maybe just with a straight bit) and screwing plates over the back of the groove to hold the dowels in place would make things removable, for the inevitable need to disassemble.

-- Dan Lyke, Petaluma California, http://www.flutterby.net/User:DanLyke

I bought a cabinet with a similar design a few months ago, but it was made of particle board. This is a great design for a book cabinet. Do you have plans for it? Really nicely done.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.theeasellife.com

There have been a couple of questions about the door slide mechanism I used. Dan has the right idea. I will try and make a drawing and post it. ( drawing is not my strong point.

-- Gareth, Amlwch

I have now added a drawing and explanation of the hinging methods to the project page in response to the questions about it. Hope it helps

-- Gareth, Amlwch

Oh, that makes sense (and looks pretty easy to implement…).

Thanks, Gareth!

Any issues with racking on the doors, or are you just careful when you open ‘em?

-- Dan Lyke, Petaluma California, http://www.flutterby.net/User:DanLyke

Very nice. I love this type of case. I want one. Antiques in oak sell for 500 and up here in California. I might build one some day though.

Thanks for the inspiration.

-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne

Hi Dan,
No I have had np problem with racking of the doors. I can see why you ask, because they are made from a small section. I suppose the fact that the wood was so old ha helped. Also, it is very straight grained.

The only reason I am careful when openning is that the glass is only 2ml (picture frame glass). They are therefore quiite light and can be opened smoothly with one hand.

-- Gareth, Amlwch

Nice cabinets. I like that the cabinets create their own trim effect when stacked—it’s understated but visible.