Hi all,
I’m going to be building a small bookcase for myself and and have a few questions regarding the back. I am making the bookcase out of solid pine. The bookcase is 36” wide and I was thinking of making the back from 3 12” wide boards with rebats. But how should I attatch the back? If I use nails will it limit the seasonal movement?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Replies
I would rabbet the uprights, top and bottom and use 1/4 or 3/8 plywood of a suitable colour and attach it wood screws. If your bookshelf is 36" wide you're at about the maximum width for 3/4" plywood shelves. If you plan on using 3/4 pine I would suggest a support in the centre of each span.
you can attach the back by making a tongue and groove ,like flooring, for each piece. or use a half-lap joint. nailing down the center of each board still allows it to move, and pine will move quite a lot.
Thanks for the tips. I like the ideas! My olny concern would be with the boards cupping. Is one nail in the mibble of each end enough to keep them from cupping?
No, they will cup. 12" wide pine grows fast and is cheap for a reason.(Unless you have old-growth pine). If you must use solid pine, I'd cut and join the pcs. into 6", then build the back to reduce cupping.
Infact, I do have old groth pine! I think i have a pretty solid idea of what to do now. Thanks for the help all!
If you pick through the pile to find some vertical grained boards (look at the end grain) cupping will be somewhat minimised. I wouldn't hesitate to use the wide board. A little movement will lend character. If you're really sweating it, just drop down and use six inch wide stock or rip what you have.
Rebate the sides... tongue and groove or shiplap the solid wood backboards (please, no plywood).... nail with brads into rebates and shelf backs.
Get cut brads from Horton or Tremont nail. You could also use a small(ish) finishing nail from one of the big box stores.
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