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by fshaun
5612 days ago
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Could you elaborate on the fixed costs of the self-build option? I'm curious what tools and experience you have. If I tried to build that I imagine I'd end up paying more in medical bills from banging my head in frustration. It does sound fun though. |
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So, basic requirements for a bookshelf are:
- Decent power drill/screwdriver (the battery type)
- Tenon Saw (the sort that is fixed with a metal bar to the top for straight cuts)
- Set square
Upfront you're looking at £40-£55, probably, for adequate tools. However I consider it reasonable that anyone practically minded will have some of these anyway (I bought myself a set when I bought my house last year and they have already proved their worth :)).
The main part of the project is careful design, figuring out the exact dimensions of the pieces you need (sketchup is good for this, or graph paper). Then you can go to the nearest hardware store (I live in a medium sized town and we have at least 5 places I can go to) who will provide the wood cut to length for you.
The only real sawing you need to do is fiddly bits - for example I have to fit mine around skirting board at one point, so need a notch.
In terms of construction, that's fair easy. Wood is really forgiving to work with as long as you are sensible about it :) my design is very simple. I have a piece of wood for the base, with the sides going up to the roof - they are secured top and bottom for rigidity. On both sides I have batons secured horizontally at the intervals I want my shelves, then each shelf just sits on that.
If you get nice thick wood (18mm or more) and don't make the shelf length too long (i.e. about about 80cm) that will work great!
Pre-drill holes first - make sure you use a wood bit substantially smaller than your screw - and make sure you have decent wood screws of the right length.
Bookshelves are pretty simple once you have pieces of wood the right length. Cutting yourself will make it harder, but not impossible :)
EDIT: everything is 90 degree angles, which simplifies things a lot. I'm currently working on a plan for my desk which involves Z shaped legs :) cutting the angles on that will be fun!
Making furniture is wildly rewarding; particularly for me as my dad is pretty practical in terms of DIY so it's some common ground for us!