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A bookshelf is quite simple and is usually just a surface with a means of support. One of the easiest ways to make a bookshelf is to bridge a few large blocks with a board. After all, a shelf is just a flat surface that's supported at a certain height. Hundreds of variations exist. Shelves can be permanent or adjustable, supported in cabinets or closets, free standing, wall-mounted, or even suspended from the ceiling. Many kinds of bookshelves are used throughout the projects in this book. There are a few things to think about when choosing a particular type of shelving.
Although each has its place, adjustable shelving is usually preferred to permanent and it helps eliminate waste space. Shelves can be made adjustable in many ways. You can buy adjustable standards in lengths from 12" to 12' for wall-mounted shelves.
Any rigid, flat material that supports the load set on it can be a shelf. Some typical shelf materials are lumber, plywood, particle board, hardboard, and glass (acrylic plastic sheets scratch so easily). These materials differ in cost, workability, appearance, rigidity, and durability.
Lumber (usually l" or 2" thick by 8", l0", or 12" wide)is a favorite shelf material because it is so rigid and easy to work. All you usually do is cut it to length. All materials except glass are available at most lumberyards. Glass (normal l/4" plate) can be purchased from a glass dealer. Tell him what you'll be using it for so he will grind the cut edges.
The proper thickness for a shelf material will depend upon its use and the amount of support given to it. A thick material requires less support than a thin one. The best way to determine how far a certain material will span and how much weight it will hold without bowing or breaking is to test it by supporting the ends with a couple of chairs and loading it with the weight it'll have to hold. If in doubt about the strength of a thickness, either choose a thicker material or add more support.
Don't feel you must follow convention and rules for building book shelves. Although bookshelves are usually level from side to side and front to back, they needn't be. You can make a trough-style book holder by slanting the shelves back and adding a back to them. This makes an excellent holder for books of the same size because it keeps them uniformly seated. When shelves are slanted from end to end, a shelving unit takes on dynamic visual interest and doesn't need bookends. You can also leave the shelves level and tilt the books-a good trick for storing books in a hallway bookcase where the shelves must be narrow.
Dimensions are an important part of design. If a project is to succeed, it must have dimensions that make it workable and easy to use. Don't place a shelf out of reach. Think about how shelves will be used-a shelf holding a set of encyclopedias should be shorter or stronger than one meant for holding paperback books; otherwise it will bow or break. Be sure to check dimensions ahead; you sure don't want to build a large project in a shop and then later be unable to fit it.
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