This project is by Craftswright. This DIY book holder project is not only budget-friendly but also allows you to add a personal touch to your home decor.
In this guide, we will explore how to create a book holder in two styles: a simple version and a more elaborate version with a drawer. Whether you are a seasoned woodworker or a beginner, this project offers a rewarding experience.
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
Before diving into the woodworking process, it’s essential to gather all the materials and tools needed for this project. Here’s what you will need:
- Five-eighths inch thick common boards
- Wood glue
- Shellac and paste wax
- Quarter inch dowels
- Brass rod for the fancy version
- Tools: Table saw, miter saw, drill, belt sander, and clamps
Make sure to have a clean workspace to facilitate the building process. A well-organized area can significantly improve your efficiency and safety while working with tools.
Step 2: Create the Basic Design
We will start by making the non-fancy version of the book holder. This approach is ideal for getting comfortable with the techniques involved without wasting expensive wood.
Begin by dimensioning your boards to six and a half inches wide using a table saw. After that, cut them to the appropriate length with a miter saw.
Step 3: Cutting the Angles
For the acute miters, set your table saw blade to thirty-two and a half degrees. Then, adjust it to twenty-five degrees for the peak cuts. Precision is key here, as any mistakes in this step can lead to misaligned joints later on.
To prevent tear-out when cutting softer woods, it’s advisable to use a sacrificial board placed at the end of the cut. This technique helps achieve cleaner edges.
Step 4: Dry Assembly
Once all the pieces are cut, perform a dry assembly. This step allows you to see how everything fits together and identify any adjustments needed before gluing.
During this phase, it’s common to feel disheartened by the initial results. If the miter joints are not fitting tightly, don’t worry; this is part of the learning process.
Step 5: Fine-Tune Your Table Saw
Before proceeding with gluing, ensure that your table saw is fine-tuned and adjusted properly. A misaligned saw can lead to multiple failed attempts, wasting time and materials.
After several attempts, you should have a passable triangle shape that will serve as the base of the book holder.
Step 6: Finishing the Interior
Prior to gluing, finish the interior surfaces with three coats of shellac and one coat of paste wax. This step is crucial as it becomes nearly impossible to apply these finishes once the holder is fully assembled.
If you have small hands, you might find it easier to reach into tight spaces for this process. If not, be patient and thorough.
Step 7: Gluing the Joints
To glue the joints effectively, use painter’s tape as it helps to hold the angles together while the glue dries. Since you are working with end grain joints, reinforce them with quarter-inch dowels for added strength.
Before inserting the dowels, pre-drill holes with a small countersink bit from both sides to avoid tear-out.
Step 8: Final Assembly
After the glue has dried, flush the dowels with a handsaw. The exterior finish will be similar to the interior, using 220 grit sandpaper, followed by three coats of shellac and paste wax.
Congratulations! You have completed the non-fancy version of the book holder. Enjoy the satisfaction of your handiwork.
Step 9: Transition to the Fancy Version
Now that you have mastered the basic version, let’s move on to the fancy book holder, which features a drawer. You can use any wood you prefer, but black walnut and maple create a stunning contrast.
After selecting your wood, ensure it is clean and properly dimensioned. In some cases, you may discover hidden gems in your wood pile, like figured walnut or tiger maple.
Step 10: Cutting the Frame Pieces
The cutting and dimensioning process for the frame pieces of the fancy holder is similar to the basic version. However, extra care is needed to keep everything perfectly square and flat.
Using a shooting board between cuts can help achieve this. Remember, with hard woods, there is little room for error.
Step 11: Marking and Cutting
Use a marking knife to mark your lines clearly. Cut slowly and carefully, whittling away material until you reach the desired fit. This technique ensures precision and avoids mistakes.
After a test fit, finish the inside with shellac and paste wax, similar to the first version. The quick drying time of shellac allows you to apply multiple coats in a short time.
Step 12: Glue Up Process
The glue-up process is similar to the basic version. However, if your miters are not perfect, don’t fret. Remember the advice from Adam Savage: sometimes you just need to hide a few imperfections.
Using a sharp brad point bit, drill through from one side to create dowel holes for added stability.
Step 13: Creating the Drawer
The standout feature of the fancy book holder is the drawer. For this, you can use bird’s eye maple or any attractive wood you prefer.
Dimension the drawer stock to a quarter inch thick, ensuring accuracy by marking dimensions directly from your stock instead of relying on measurements.
Step 14: Assembly of the Drawer
Using double-sided tape, stick your frame to the drawer front stock and mark the outline. This approach allows you to cut two pieces at once for a perfect fit.
Fine-tune the fit using a belt sander and block plane, checking continuously to ensure snugness.
Step 15: Finalizing the Drawer and Frame
With the drawer fronts fitting snugly, use offcuts to mark the exact dimensions for the base, sides, and interface of the drawers. Always work down to your lines rather than cutting at them.
Check everything with a dry fit before proceeding to glue up. A combination of wood glue and CA glue works well for quick curing.
Step 16: Finishing Touches
Once the drawer fronts are glued on and everything slides smoothly, finish the outside of the drawer and frame. This is the moment to step back and appreciate your hard work.
With the project completed, you can now enjoy your beautiful DIY book holder, perfect for showcasing your favorite books or storing your reading essentials.
Now that you’ve completed this project, consider sharing your creations or any variations you come up with. Happy woodworking!