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Built-in Bookcases

Project by Rob posted 558 days ago 750 views 5 times favorited 14 comments Add to Favorites Watch

This is my biggest project to date in every way; size, planning, expense, and time involved. I had three tools breakdown in the 80 hours it took to complete. I was okay with this because I was looking forward to upgrading. First my cheap, used, tablesaw fence cracked. Then my ancient drill refused to open. And a sander I borrowed burnt out. I bought the Rigid TS3650 and their 18v cordless drill as well as a 1/4 sheet ROS. I’m happy with these tools so far.

The cases are made out of 3/4 birch ply and trimmed with poplar. I stained with a waterbased walnut colour and then coated with polycrylic.


14 comments so far

View Scott Bryan's profile

Scott Bryan

20668 posts in 717 days


posted 558 days ago

Rob,

These are gorgeous. I can well understand how much work it involved. It seems that you simply worked your tools to death. Bummer about the sander as well. Did you have to replace it? that is why I dislike borrowing someone else’s tools. I am always afraid of breaking it.

But in this case your project more than justified the path you took in its construction.

Well done!!!

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

View steve1627's profile

steve1627

10 posts in 561 days


posted 558 days ago

Nice work! Great addition to your home.

-- Steve, Carrollton, TX

View Woodhacker's profile

Woodhacker

1145 posts in 618 days


posted 558 days ago

Very nice Rob! I know how much work this is because a few years ago I built a birch wall of bookcases in my den very similar and also used 3/4 in. birch plywood and trimed in solid birch…except mine did’t go all the way to the floor but rests on a built in ledge about 3’ off the floor. Mine was stained a light “fruitwood” (I think).

Yours looks great!

-- Martin, Kansas

View Greg Wurst's profile

Greg Wurst

716 posts in 727 days


posted 558 days ago

Nice! Large projects lead to large satisfaction when the job is done and you can admire all our hard work.

-- You're a unique and special person, just like everyone else.

View Rob 's profile

Rob

197 posts in 562 days


posted 558 days ago

Scott,

The sander was very old and rarely used so my father-in-law wasn’t too worried about its replacement. He said he’ll use my new one if he needs it. I’ll pick him up a 1/4 sheet ROS for his b-day though – they are the way to go in my opinion.

Thanks for the nice comments everybody; much appreciated.

View trifern's profile

trifern

7894 posts in 662 days


posted 558 days ago

Very nice looking built-ins. Thank you for sharing.

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

View GaryK's profile

GaryK

9528 posts in 883 days


posted 558 days ago

Those are great! You really did a fantastic job on them!

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

View Todd A. Clippinger's profile (online now)

Todd A. Clippinger

5643 posts in 994 days


posted 558 days ago

Looks like a pro job to me!

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

View ND2ELK's profile

ND2ELK

6199 posts in 669 days


posted 557 days ago

Great looking built-In. You did a beautiful job on it. I have always enjoyed doing built-Ins. Thanks for posting.

God Bless
tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

View spaids's profile

spaids

460 posts in 588 days


posted 557 days ago

I also have the TS3650 and I love it. I know the Rigid tools are much less expensive than many others but I can’t find a flaw with it. The built ins look great, I am wondering if I have room for a similar project now.

-- Wipe the blood stains from your blade before coming in.

View blackcherry's profile

blackcherry

730 posts in 718 days


posted 557 days ago

Now thats a first class reading room…your time and effort will pay off in volumes…Blkcherry

View TedM's profile

TedM

1843 posts in 627 days


posted 557 days ago

‘pay off in volumes’ – LOL! Good one, blackcherry!

Rob, a fine job. I love a power wall of books and this is one of the best. I particularly like the little nooks above the door.

-- I'm a wood magician... I can turn fine lumber into firewood before your very eyes! - http://www.woodworkersguide.com

View mlfdfire's profile

mlfdfire

10 posts in 565 days


posted 555 days ago

very nce job like that you used every inch of space for extra storage

View Todd Thomas 's profile

Todd Thomas

4827 posts in 343 days


posted 310 days ago

some nice looking book cases…..great job…

-- Todd, Oak Ridge, TN, Hello my name is Todd and I'm a Toolholic, I bought my last tool 10 days, no 4 days, oh heck I bought a tool on the way here! †

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