Build a bookshelf

A six-foot bookcase from pine boards and a weekend. Strapped to the wall when it is done.

This fits in a car

About 94 lb of materials. Comfortably inside what a car carries (200 lb), so any shopper can take it. ⚠️ 3 items on the list have no weight on file, so the real load is a little heavier than this.

Before you start

Wear eye protection on the circular saw and clamp the board rather than holding it. Always strap a tall bookcase to the wall; they tip onto children.

What to buy — untick anything you have

Lumber

2 Pine board, 1×12, 6 ftSelect or common pine. Sight down each one and reject anything twisted or cupped.
2 Pine board, 1×12, 8 ftThe cut station can cut each board into three 34-1/2 in pieces, usually free.
1 sheet of plywood, 1/4 in, 4×8Ask the cut station to cut it to 36 × 72 in, so it fits in a car.

Hardware

1 box of wood screws, 2 in
1 box of brad nails, 1 in
1 Furniture anti-tip kit

Supplies

1 bottle of wood glue

Paint

1 pack of sandpaper, 120 and 220 grit
1 quart of paint or wood stain

Tools — already ticked off, since most people have them

Tools

1 Circular saw· most people have this
1 Cordless drill· most people have this
1 Speed square· most people have this
2 Bar clamps· most people have this

It lands in the shopping form, where you can edit anything and say what you think each thing costs. Nothing is ordered until you send it.

How it goes · about a weekend · some experience

Cut the shelves to 34-1/2 in, or have the cut station do it, and sand everything smooth.
Mark matching shelf lines on both side boards so every shelf comes out level.
Glue and screw the top and bottom shelves between the sides first, checking it is square.
Add the middle shelves, then glue and nail the plywood back on, which squares the whole case.
Paint or stain it, stand it up, and strap the top to a stud in the wall.