Bookcases
Outstanding
Projects from One of America's Best Craftsmen - With plans and complete
instructions for building 11 classic bookcases
by Niall Barrett
Softcover
230 x 275mm
186pp
Published by The Taunton Press, Connecticut, USA.
R.R.P.$39.90
ISBN 1-56158-303-0
Simple Short Bookcase
Shaker-Style Wall Shelf
Standing V-Shelf Bookcase
Country Colinial Bookcase
Trapezoidal Bookcase
Shaker-Style Bookcase with
doors
As reviewed in The Australian Woodworker Issue 105
The focus of this book is on in-depth construction details, but it also offers general information on good bookcase design. Issues discussed include appropriate material selection, layout of compartments, and joinery options.
All projects come complete with exploded view assembly and construction drawings, a cutting list, step-by-step instructions, detail illustrations and photographs of the various stages in construction. Considering this high level of detail, the book obviously will serve as a very comprehensive construction manual.
The projects range in design from simple freestanding shelves to complex multi-unit installations.
The Simple Short Bookcase and Simple Tall Bookcase are both open style, suitable mainly for books and perhaps small objects on display.
More traditional tastes are catered for with the Shaker Style Wall Shelf, Country Colonial Bookcase, The Shaker-style Bookcase with Doors, and the Arts and Crafts Bookcase.
More unusual offerings include the standing V-shelf Bookcase, which is open-style. Portable and about waist height, it appears ideal for the occasional reading room. The Trapezoidal Bookcase is more modern, an interpretation of a basic open shelf bookcase, but narrower, with attractive through tenons at the ends of the shelves.
The classiest projects have to be the Barrister Bookcase, with glass doors to protect more valuable documents and books, and the Step-Back Bookcase - the most formal and elegant, with an enclosed unit below and an open upper section.
Joinery methods range from the traditional mortise and tenon to the ubiquitous biscuit joint. The projects have all been designed by leading American designer makers like Christian Becksvoort and Curtis Erpelding.
Photos: Colour
Units of Measurement: Imperial
Contents
Introduction
Bookcase-Building Basics
Simple Short Bookcase
Simple Tall Bookcase
Shaker-Style Wall Shelf
Standing V-Shelf Bookcase
Country Colonial Bookcase
Trapezoidal Bookcase
Shaker-Style Bookcase with Doors
Arts and Crafts Bookcase
Barrister Bookcase
Formal Sideboard Bookcase
Step-back Bookcase
Sources
Metric Conversion Chart
Index
Arts and Crafts Bookcase
Barrister Bookcase
Formal Sideboard Bookcase
Step-Back Bookcase