The video “Inside the MOST EXPENSIVE Bookcase I’ve Ever Built | $7500” is by Keith Johnson Woodworking. In this project, Keith takes on the challenge of creating a stunning bookcase tailored to his niece’s high standards, matching the desk he previously built for her.
Getting Started with the Build
Keith begins his journey by sharing a handy tip for those who might be a bit lazy when it comes to maintenance. Instead of waxing the joiner bed, planer bed, or other tools, he suggests using wax paper. By rubbing it on, it creates a slick surface that lasts for about a week or two, making it a quick fix for tool maintenance.
Next, he dives into the structural components of the bookcase, starting with the corner posts. Initially designed as 2-inch squares, Keith quickly realizes they appear too chunky, highlighting an important lesson: what looks good on screen may not translate well in real life. He opts for 1¾-inch square posts instead, ensuring a more visually appealing design.
Joinery and Veneering Challenges
As he prepares for the joinery, Keith emphasizes the importance of clamping all four posts together to maintain consistent layout lines. This approach helps avoid wonky shelves and ensures that each post acts as a story stick for accurate measurements.
The bookcase features extensive veneering, with Keith needing to veneer four shelves, three recess panels, and three drawer bottoms. He mentions that he initially miscalculated the number of shelves required, which would come back to haunt him later.
To create the necessary thickness, Keith sandwiches two pieces of plywood with the veneer on top and bottom, resulting in a robust 1½-inch thickness. He opts for double-thick plywood to account for wood movement, which is crucial in joinery design.
Innovative Joinery Solutions
As he contemplates the joinery for the shelves, Keith has a breakthrough with the side rails. He prefers a design that includes a lip, creating a natural dividing point between the grains of the wood. This decision ultimately enhances the aesthetic appeal of the bookcase.
Throughout the project, Keith utilizes a glue pot roller for evenly distributing glue, which he finds incredibly effective for larger surface areas. He also shares a cautionary note about cleaning the tool afterward, as dried glue can be a nightmare to remove.
The Assembly Process
After cutting all the necessary mortises using the Domino joiner, Keith showcases the importance of a dry fit. He emphasizes the satisfaction of seeing the pieces come together correctly before the final assembly.
With the posts left long at the top, Keith plans to incorporate brass elements that will tie in with other brass details in the bookcase. To decide on the best profile for these caps, he models various designs and 3D prints them for evaluation. This innovative approach allows him to visualize the final look without committing to costly materials upfront.
Recessed Panels and Drawer Construction
As the build progresses, Keith focuses on creating recessed panels for the sides and back of the bookshelf, ensuring a seamless look that accommodates wood movement. He prefers using the D stack on the table saw for cutting grooves, but for stopped grooves, he finds the router table more efficient.
Keith expresses his dislike for making drawers, describing them as tedious boxes that always take longer than anticipated. However, he meticulously cuts the parts, marking corners and grooves for the drawer bottoms to avoid errors.
Finishing Touches
For the drawer box joinery, Keith chooses a rabbit joint pinned with brass pins, adding a touch of elegance to the construction. He pre-finishes the drawer boxes and panels to simplify the finishing process later on.
As he assembles the drawer boxes, he checks for square by measuring diagonal dimensions, ensuring everything aligns perfectly. Keith also remembers to install a bottom for the bookcase, attaching it with cleats and plywood.
Final Assembly and Delivery
After completing the main structure of the bookshelf, Keith turns his attention to the drawer fronts. He selects visually interesting grain patterns and applies a soft roundover to the edges for a polished look. The drawer fronts are then secured with brass pins for added flair.
Once the bookcase is fully assembled, Keith faces the challenge of delivering it to his niece’s room. Despite some struggles getting it up the stairs, he successfully installs the drawer pulls and steps back to admire his completed project.
Conclusion
Remarkably, Keith encounters no significant issues throughout this ambitious build, a rarity in his experience. He shares a few final photos of the finished bookcase, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to create such a beautiful piece of furniture for his niece.
For aspiring woodworkers, Keith’s journey through this project offers invaluable insights into design considerations, joinery techniques, and the power of innovative tools like 3D printers.