Hi there!
Things here in the family room are moving fast. I'm so happy to see this entire wall of shelves taking shape!
I didn't want to hold up the building and installation of the shelves for too long. I uploaded pics quickly and set a time to work on this post. There are so many things happening at this time of the year!
This past Monday, I was decorating our Thanksgiving tables, then on Tuesday, I had to take my son to a doctor's appointment. We got a big snowstorm on Thursday, and hey, I still need to go find some room decor! I'm sure it's the same way for you, too.
They were all put together with wood glue and 1½" brad nails.
I know, crazy!! He began measuring and re-measuring, looking for the "perfect" screws, which he obviously couldn't find. I guess he was scared; he doesn't like this type of work.
Luckily, my BIL, the guy you see in the picture below, had to come to our house for a totally unrelated situation, and guess what?
Anyhow, let me tell you how this building went along.
My last post ended with that first picture when the base cabinets and countertop were done. Yep. It was ready for the shelves.
*This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
I bought the material, ¾" plywood sheets, at Home Depot, and I asked them to cut them lengthwise at 12". From each 4' x 8' sheet, I got four lengths. Three of those lengths are 12" wide, and the last one ends up narrower, about 11¾", because of the amount of product the blade eats with each cut (kerf).
I used that narrower piece to build the columns or boxes that go between shelves.
CUT THE MATERIAL
Anyhow, having all that material already cut made things easy because I only needed to cut across each 12" board.
My last post ended with that first picture when the base cabinets and countertop were done. Yep. It was ready for the shelves.
I bought the material, ¾" plywood sheets, at Home Depot, and I asked them to cut them lengthwise at 12". From each 4' x 8' sheet, I got four lengths. Three of those lengths are 12" wide, and the last one ends up narrower, about 11¾", because of the amount of product the blade eats with each cut (kerf).
I used that narrower piece to build the columns or boxes that go between shelves.
CUT THE MATERIAL
Anyhow, having all that material already cut made things easy because I only needed to cut across each 12" board.
My miter saw was my go-to tool for all those cuts.
Once all the long-side boards were cut to size, it was time to set the shelf placement. I always like to draw the lines where the shelves would sit on both sides of those side panels. It's a good visual guide when assembling the shelves.
One more tip I would like to give you, if you're a rookie like me, is to pre-drill right in the center of each set of lines. It's easier to drive the screws when assembling those shelves later on.
One by one, the carcasses were built.
Below are four of them.
Once all the long-side boards were cut to size, it was time to set the shelf placement. I always like to draw the lines where the shelves would sit on both sides of those side panels. It's a good visual guide when assembling the shelves.
One more tip I would like to give you, if you're a rookie like me, is to pre-drill right in the center of each set of lines. It's easier to drive the screws when assembling those shelves later on.
ASSEMBLE THE CASES
I set my assembling line right there in the family room. It's already cold in my garage.
After applying wood glue, I set each shelf in place with a 90° angle and a corner clamp. Not only hold the shelf in place, but at the right angle, while I check that the lower section is inside the lines I drew.
One by one, the carcasses were built.
Below are four of them.
The ones on both ends are missing a shelf because my plan is for that shelf to be adjustable or on pins.
BUILD THE COLUMNS OR BOXES
The next step was to build the columns or boxes that go in between the shelves. Same length and only 4½" wide.
BUILD THE COLUMNS OR BOXES
The next step was to build the columns or boxes that go in between the shelves. Same length and only 4½" wide.
The two columns flanking the center opening are the same depth as the shelves, while the other boxes were only 6" deep.
They were all put together with wood glue and 1½" brad nails.
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Ryobi 18-Gauge Brad Nailer with (1) 1.5 Ah Battery and (1) 18-Volt Charger
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INSTALL THE BACKS
I like to use ½" plywood on the back of my shelves. I can drive screws into the wall wherever I want to attach them. Also, I don't get to see a single stripe of wood across the front, which is what needs to be installed when using ¼" material.
These are the only pics I could find of the work done so far.
I like to use ½" plywood on the back of my shelves. I can drive screws into the wall wherever I want to attach them. Also, I don't get to see a single stripe of wood across the front, which is what needs to be installed when using ¼" material.
- Each case was placed on the floor, face down, and the ½" backer was placed on top, aligning it all around the case.
- Then, I marked the shelf placement. It's easy because you have the guides for the shelf placement on the sides. Simply follow the drawn lines and mark the backer on either side.
- Trace a line for each shelf. That line's going to be the drilling line to secure the back to those shelves.
- And of course, also drive 1" wooden screws all along the sides and top of the case. Even here, make sure to do pre-drills.
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| DEWALT 20-VOLT DLESS BRUSHLESS DRILL/DRIVER AND IMPACT COMBO KIT |
These are the only pics I could find of the work done so far.
It looks like a corner. 😕
CENTER SHELF
A long but small shelf is the only piece that goes in the top center of this wall.
ATTACH THE ENTIRE UNIT TO THE WALL
After assembling all the pieces... Cases, columns, and the center shelf, it's time to put everything together and attach it to the wall.
I asked my husband to help me with this step. I knew I couldn't handle that center shelf all on my own. But we spent like two hours installing those 2 x 4s to mount that center shelf onto them.
CENTER SHELF
A long but small shelf is the only piece that goes in the top center of this wall.
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After assembling all the pieces... Cases, columns, and the center shelf, it's time to put everything together and attach it to the wall.
I asked my husband to help me with this step. I knew I couldn't handle that center shelf all on my own. But we spent like two hours installing those 2 x 4s to mount that center shelf onto them.
I know, crazy!! He began measuring and re-measuring, looking for the "perfect" screws, which he obviously couldn't find. I guess he was scared; he doesn't like this type of work.
Luckily, my BIL, the guy you see in the picture below, had to come to our house for a totally unrelated situation, and guess what?
Yep. He was the one who saved the day! :D
Then, we worked from the center out... Clamping the column to the next shelf, making sure everything was level, which was easy thanks to this Bosch self-leveling cross-line laser.
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| RIDGID 12 GAL. 5.0-PEAK HP NXT WET DRY VAC |
That center shelf was first attached to the columns on either side, then to those 2 x 4 supports.
Now, those 2 x 4 supports bump out that centerpiece, following the same configuration as on the base cabinets, where the center and both end shelves stick out.
Then, we worked from the center out... Clamping the column to the next shelf, making sure everything was level, which was easy thanks to this Bosch self-leveling cross-line laser.
I clamped it there on the ladder, and the only thing I had to do was to move it to one side or the other, up and down, so we could follow the lines and install everything where it was supposed to be.
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| BOSCH 30' SELF-LEVELING CROSS-LINE LASER |
Three 1½" screws were driven from each side of the shelf and onto the column and vice versa.
My Ryobi brushless cordless drill/driver was the tool for this job, with lots of power!
Two 2½" screws were driven at the lower part of the top shelf to attach the bookcase to the wall, making sure they were driven into the studs on the wall.
Both bookcases at the extreme ends were also bumped out with 2 x 4s on the backs. And both end columns were attached to the wall from the top.
Here they are, almost done!
Up next is finishing those rough edges, adding trim, and closing that top part.
Here are the links to all the work done for this built-in project:
Two 2½" screws were driven at the lower part of the top shelf to attach the bookcase to the wall, making sure they were driven into the studs on the wall.
Both bookcases at the extreme ends were also bumped out with 2 x 4s on the backs. And both end columns were attached to the wall from the top.
Here they are, almost done!
Up next is finishing those rough edges, adding trim, and closing that top part.
Here are the links to all the work done for this built-in project:
*This post contains affiliate links.
This is looking soooo awesome! I built the built-ins in my living room while my house was under construction so it made it a lot easier to make the mess INSIDE! One suggestion that I know is too late at this point...prime and sand all the pieces outside before assembly...then all you have to do is caulk and putty and paint inside after assembly...eliminates the need to do a lot of heavy sanding inside. You would still have to do a tiny bit of sanding but not nearly as much. I have no doubt you have your reason for not doing that! Can't wait to see the finished project...you are rocking it!
ReplyDeleteWow you are cruising! I'm amazed how much you are getting done in such a short time. All I have on my plate right now home improvementwise is finishing odds and ends from a few projects and I can't even get that little bit done! And it all looks so beautiful. I wish I could keep my work areas as neat as you do too! Lol
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be amazing!
ReplyDeleteYou are so amazing! These are spectacular and the fact that you did it all yourself is inspiring!
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be amazing. You are so talented.
ReplyDelete