One & Two Sheet Bookcases

Marc Spagnuolo

Build a beautiful bookcase without breaking the bank! This seemingly simple bookcase is built using limited tools and limited materials. Our detailed plan gives you everything you need to create either a sleek and modern One-Sheet Bookcase (60" Tall x 9 3/4" Deep x 30 1/4" Wide) or a more traditional Two-Sheet Bookcase (60 3/4" Tall x 11 3/4" Deep x 33 1/2" Wide). The three-hour video series specifically covers the more complex Two-Sheet Bookcase, since the same tools and techniques are employed to create the simpler One-Sheet version.

8 lessons

189 min

$60.00

Here's what you'll learn how to build:

Here's what we'll cover:

Bookcase Project Tour

A complete virtual tour of the Bookcase project as well as a discussion of what you need in terms of materials and tools.
Circular Saw Cutting Jig

You don’t need expensive commercial jigs to cut plywood. Using inexpensive materials, we’ll make our own!
Materials & Cutting Parts

A look at the materials used for this project as well as an in-depth demonstration of breaking down plywood for parts.
Joinery & Plywood Trim

All case joinery is done using the router and a special plywood bit. An of course, we need to cover those ugly plywood edges!
Pre-Finishing

Whenever possible, I recommend pre-finishing. But you absolutely must have a logical strategy in place.
Bookcase Assembly

This video not only covers the assembly of the bookcase, but also the drilling of the shelf pins.
The Face Frame

Nothing dresses up a plywood case better than a face frame! Learn how to assemble and attach a face frame to the bookcase carcass.
Trim and Final Finish

A few traditional trim details bring our elegant bookcase to life!

What You’ll Receive:

Detailed cut list and plans including a PDF and a SketchUp file for both versions of the bookcase.
Over three hours of detailed video instruction showing every step of the build, from wood selection to finishing. Closed Captioning available.

What You’ll Learn:

Breaking down plywood with a circular saw
How to make a circular saw track
Making dados and rabbets with a router
Assembling casework
Face frame assembly
Working with molding and edging
Pre-finishing with gel stain

What you’ll need:

Circular Saw
Drill
Router (with rabbeting bit and a small Ogee profile bit)
Miter Saw (you can substitute with a traditional hand saw and miter box)
I also used a brad nailer, but that’s optional.
Plywood and trim that can be sourced from any home center

Reviews:

I have a very limited set of tools and this project series has so many good tips on dados and casework that it spurred me on to design other similar pieces for my home and office….and I’ve designed ANYTHING in woodworking prior to this. So even if you don’t currently have space to put in a bookcase, these videos go far beyond just the bookcase build itself. The techniques used to cut down sheet goods and working on joining plywood together are invaluable. It de-mystified everything about the standard bookcase we all know, including how to trim it out.

John Ulrich

Guild Member

As expected, Marc lays out everything you need to know in order to build a high-quality bookcase including multiple options for each step along the way. Although this may seem like a simple project at first, Marc’s tips on stock breakdown, face frames, joinery layout, and pre-finishing strategies are fundamentals that you can apply to a variety of other projects. This was my first Guild project and I could not be happier with the videos or the two new book cases in my living room.

jonnoell

Guild Member

Great Project Especially w/Limited Tools!

First let me say I love the guild and all the projects. I am in the military so I just arrived at my last duty station where I will be able to homestead till I retire so this was my first full build from the guild site. The videos were excellent and really showed you a bunch of different options. I have noticed this about all of his videos – Marc walks you through the different options on how you can approach different parts of the build. The bookshelf is super sturdy and looks great in our home office.
I would definitely recommend you try this project if you are in need a of a bookshelf. Oh and one thing to do if you can – buy your plywood from a lumber yard instead of a big box store. It might cost double but it is SO much better of a product that I really can’t believe it. I will never again buy plywood from a big box store.

jdbrown1998

Guild Member

Read all reviews / Leave a review

About Your Instructor:

Marc is a podcaster, video producer, woodworking enthusiast, and author of Hybrid Woodworking and Essential Joinery. He has contributed articles and video content to FineWoodworking.com, Popular Woodworking Magazine, WOOD Magazine, and Woodcraft Magazine. He is also the host of The Wood Whisperer, an instructional woodworking video series that’s been going strong since 2006. He is also one of the hosts of the Wood Talk podcast. He has taught classes at the William Ng School, Marc Adams School, Weekend with Wood, Fine Woodworking Live, as well as at various Rockler and Woodcraft stores. He also speaks periodically at woodworking events like AWFS and IWF.

One & Two Sheet Bookcases

Here's what you'll learn how to build:

Here's what we'll cover:

Bookcase Project Tour

Circular Saw Cutting Jig

Materials & Cutting Parts

Joinery & Plywood Trim

Pre-Finishing

Bookcase Assembly

The Face Frame

Trim and Final Finish

What You’ll Receive:

What You’ll Learn:

What you’ll need:

Reviews:

Great Project Especially w/Limited Tools!

About Your Instructor:

You can build this project, just like these guild members!