Cases Fit for a Judge’s Chambers

As common in law offices today as they were 100 years ago, traditional lawyer’s bookcases are designed for storing expensive law books. Commonly built from oak, the style is characterized by individual stacking compartments, or cases, fronted by glass doors. The doors allow for visibility while protecting each case’s contents from dust and dirt.

This feature also makes a lawyer’s bookcase ideal for displaying almost anything else, and now you don’t have to pass the bar to enjoy one. This do-it-yourself version features the classic styling of the originals without the expense of an antique or even modern reproduction.

The project requires about 40 board feet of oak and a sheet of oak plywood, along with dowel pins, glass, hardware and paraffin wax. The bookcase is built one case at a time, following the same steps each time, then sanded, stained and stacked. The glass doors lift out and slide back into the bookcase on a unique dowel-pin guide system.

The completed lawyer’s bookcase measures 5 feet high by 4 feet wide by 1 foot deep. In the version pictured here, the bottom case measures 16 inches tall, the top one is 12 inches tall and the two middle cases are 14 inches tall, but the combination is up to the builder.

The Lawyer’s Bookcase plan, No. 700, is $8.95 and includes step-by-step instructions with 20 photos, exploded assembly diagrams, and a complete shopping list and cutting schedule.

A package of three bookcase plans, No. C 118, is available for $18.95 and includes this plan and two others. A catalog picturing hundreds of projects is $3.95. Prices include postage and handling. Please allow three to four weeks for delivery (for rush delivery, add $ 1 an item up to $3 maximum, and allow about seven to 10 days).

To order by mail, clip this article and send it with a check or money order to U-Bild Features, care of Los Angeles Times, P.O. Box 2383, Van Nuys, CA 91409. To order by credit card, call (800) 828-2453. You may visit U-Bild on the Web at https://www.ubild.com.