Plywood Bookcase
Finished size 32" W × 60" H × 11 1/4" D. One 4×8 sheet of 3/4" plywood.
A plain, sturdy bookcase: 60" tall, 32" wide and 11 1/4" deep, with four equal openings. The top, bottom and shelves fit between the sides, a toe kick lifts the bottom off the floor, and a rail under the top lets you screw the case to the wall.
At 11 1/4" deep, four shelf-width strips come out of the 48" sheet width with room for the saw cuts. The joints are glued and screwed butt joints, so a drill and a saw are all you need.
Parts
| # | Part | Size (in) | Qty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Side | 60 × 11 1/4 | 2 |
| 2 | Top | 30 1/2 × 11 1/4 | 1 |
| 3 | Bottom | 30 1/2 × 11 1/4 | 1 |
| 4 | Shelf | 30 1/2 × 11 1/4 | 3 |
| 5 | Toe kick | 30 1/2 × 3 | 1 |
| 6 | Hanging rail | 30 1/2 × 3 | 1 |
All parts are 3/4" thick. Sizes are length (along the grain) × width.
Cutting diagram
Laid out on a 96" × 48" sheet with a 1/8" saw kerf, every part keeping its grain direction.
Part (number = parts list)Offcut
Open this plan in the optimizer →
The optimizer opens with these parts filled in. Change the sheet size, kerf or parts to match your material.
Assembly
- Cut the parts following the diagram and write each part number on it in pencil.
- On the inside face of both sides, mark the bottom edge of each horizontal part, measured from the floor end: bottom at 3", shelves at 17 1/16", 31 1/8" and 45 3/16", and the top flush with the top end (59 1/4"). That gives four openings of 13 5/16".
- Glue and screw the toe kick between the sides at the front, flush with the floor end. Pre-drill and use 1 5/8" wood screws, three per joint.
- Set the bottom on top of the toe kick, flush at the front, and screw it through the sides. Fit the top the same way, flush with the top ends of the sides.
- Fit the hanging rail under the top, flush with the back edges, and screw it through the sides and down through the top.
- Install the three shelves on their marks. Check the case is square by measuring both diagonals; they should match within 1/16".
- Fill the screw holes, sand, and finish. Once it is in place, screw the hanging rail to a wall stud.
Before you start
- A tall bookcase can tip over. Always screw it to the wall, especially where children are around.
- Much "3/4 inch" plywood is really 23/32" (18 mm). Measure yours; if it is thinner, add the difference to the length of the top, bottom, shelves and rails, or the case will be slightly narrower than 32".
- A 30 1/2" span of 3/4" plywood is fine for books but can sag slowly under heavy loads. For record collections or tools, glue a 1 1/2" hardwood strip under the front edge of each shelf.
- Pre-drill every screw near a plywood edge, or the layers may split.
- A full sheet is heavy and awkward. Get help, or have the store make the long rips for you.