How to Build a Bookcase

Are books and magazines scattered all over your home or office? Has it been weeks since you saw the surface of your desk or kitchen table? Correct this mess quickly by following these instructions to build a simple, freestanding bookcase.

The bookcase you build will be 54 3/4 inches tall and 30 inches wide, with three shelves.
The bookcase stands 54 3/4 inches high
and 30 inches wide, with three shelves;
molding covers the cut edges

Tools:
  • measuring rule
  • pencil
  • square
  • straightedge
  • power saw
  • hammer
  • miter box
  • handsaw
  • nail set
Materials:
  • 3/4-inch grade A-B interior plywood
  • carpenters' glue
  • 6-penny finishing nails
  • 1/8-inch tempered hardboard
  • 5/8-inch brads
  • 1-inch brads
  • shelf-edge molding
  • wood filler
  • sandpaper
  • stain or paint
Time: about 2 to 4 hours, plus finishing time

The overall outside dimensions of this bookcase will be 30 inches wide, 12 1/2-inches deep, and 54 3/4-inches high. The bottom shelf will be 15 inches high, and the other two shelves will be