Replies

1. 
   CStanford_ | Aug 30, 2000 07:30pm | #1

   *
   I assume the bookcase is all plywood - sides and back. If so, I'd glue and screw in the rabbets and the fixed shelves and bottom. Sock the back down tight. Use a 1/2" back on the next one you make and you'll be happier. The thing will sit more solidly and give you more meat to anchor to the wall if need be..... Consider using a "trim-head" screw which gives a neater appearance. If you care to, you can putty over the dimple left by the trim-head screw and completely hide the use of metal fasteners. Maybe a big deal, maybe not. A little extra care and craftsmanship is rarely a mistake.

   I built a plywood "bookshelf" for my shop to hold various and sundry finishing supplies. Nothing fancy, but I did use the thicker material for the back and was happy that I did since the unit holds cans of various liquids which can be pretty heavy (like books, of course).

   Good luck........

1. 
   rob.kelly | Aug 31, 2000 12:36am | #2

   *1/4" ply is fine. 30x60 is a small bookcase. Glue is not necessary or even desirable, if you nail the ply to the top and side rabbets at 6" intervals and to the shelves as well. Use 1 1/4" brads with heads, 17 or 18 ga. If you have a toekick and a bottom shelf, nail to that shelf too. Sometimes I stop the ply short of the floor or the bottom shelf so I can cope the bookcase to the floor molding.