My Bookcases are (Finally) Assembled

by DaveP on 11 April 2009

It's been a while since I started this project, but I've finally assembled both of my bookcases! I built the smaller one about a year ago, but just recently got around to assembling the larger one.

The bookcases are made out of MDF stair treads. I guess the material is a little unorthodox, but the boards were the perfect length and depth for my shelves and came with a classy half-bullnose detail along the front. That, and I was able to get them on clearance (I'm always on the lookout for a good deal).

Construction was about as basic as you can get. I used a circular saw to cut the boards to length and attached everything with screws. Pretty straightforward.

Well, I make it sound easier than it was.

When I first assembled the smaller bookcase and proudly stood it up for the very first time, it didn't stand straight. At all. In fact, it leaned about 30 degrees to the right.

Fortunately, the problem was easy to fix. I unscrewed the top and bottom boards, trimmed a little material off both, and then reattached them. Phew. Problem solved.

I learned from my mistakes on the first bookcase though... the second went together without a hitch. Now I just have to fill the rest of the holes, caulk the gaps, sand, prime, paint.... meh. That will have to wait for another post.