Things Stack Up If You Do It Yourself
Question: Through 30 years of marriage, my husband and I have collected so many books that we feel we could open a library. We have gotten rid of those we don’t want or need by selling them at garage sales. Now we’re in a dilemma because we’re moving from our home (with lots of bookshelves) to a two-bedroom apartment with a small den. We want to turn the den into a library. Can you suggest someone who could build the shelves inexpensively?
Answer: Don’t be chicken. Build them yourselves. It really isn’t that difficult, and you can save a lot of money. If you build the shelves in two or three free-standing units that can be stacked, you can complete the project before you move from your house, where you probably have work space.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. Feb. 22, 1987 Los Angeles Times Sunday February 22, 1987 Home Edition Real Estate Part 8 Page 13 Column 2 Real Estate Desk 4 inches; 111 words Type of Material: Correction
OOPS, A GOOF: P.J. Brennan and Gale E. Irwin were quick to point out an error in this column Feb. 1 regarding the actual dimensions of planed lumber. In discussing the construction of bookshelves, I accurately said the dimensions of a board are less than the dimensions by which it is known. For instance, a 2-by-4 is actually less than two inches by four inches. Unfortunately, the actual dimensions given were inaccurate. For now, just remember that a one-inch board is generally only three-quarters of an inch, and in most other cases, all other boards will be one-half inch less than the dimension by which it is know. This can vary; take a measure with you when you order your lumber, and ask a knowledgeable person to check your drawn-up plans before ordering the lumber cut.
Most lumberyards and home centers will cut the lumber for you to your specifications. The important thing to remember is that a piece of lumber is actually one-quarter-inch less than the dimensions by which it is known. For instance, a 2-by-4 is actually 1 3/4 inches by 3 3/4 inches. Take your ruler with you when you buy the lumber to check this out.
Start by putting together a rectangle of 2-by-4s that will serve as a footing or foundation for the bookshelves. (If you make this rectangle about an inch smaller than the size of your shelf boards, the base will be recessed when you assemble the units, giving a more professional look to the finished job.)
You now must assemble units of two or three shelves that can be stacked. Plan the lower shelves for your larger volumes--the coffee-table books in your collection. Measure some of these larger books to determine the space between shelves, leaving room at the top of the books to easily put your finger above the book spine to remove it from the shelf.
Lumber for the top and bottom shelves of each unit will be the same length, with the upright ends between them. The tricky part is in measuring for the shelves that go in between. If you are using 1-by-6 or 1-by-8 boards for the uprights, the in-between shelves must be cut 1 1/2 inches shorter than the top and bottom shelves, because they have to fit between the uprights.
This is allowing three-quarter-inch for each of the two uprights that the shelf board fits between. (Remember we pointed out earlier that boards are one-quarter-inch less than the dimensions by which they’re known; 1-by-6 uprights are actually three-quarter-inch by 5 3/4 inches or 1-by-8 uprights are three-quarter-inch by 7 3/4.)
Shelves can be fastened to the uprights with metal angles that can be bought in any hardware store. Or, strips of quarter-round molding can be nailed inside the uprights to hold the in-between shelves.
After completing the lower unit, construct one or two other units to be stacked on top of it. Use narrower width shelves for the upper unit to accommodate smaller books and to provide better stability for the assembled units.
If the length of the horizontal boards (actually the width of the bookshelf) is more than three feet, you should plan a vertical brace near the center of each shelf.
I suggest you draw up plans for these units and ask a knowledgeable person at the lumberyard or home center to check your plans before ordering your lumber cut.
Unless you know quite a bit about staining and finishing raw wood, you may find it easier to paint the shelves to match the walls of your den, using a semi-gloss paint, rather than trying for a wood finish.
