built in shelf plans for a rookie?

[simpleman]

I started a project so long ago I am almost embarrassed to admit when I started. Anyways, I decided to build my own made from scratch built-in cabinets and shelves. The cabinet doors all have a raised panel (7 cabinets and 12 doors!). Also, I have never built a cabinet before this. All done with a kreg jig, junker table saw, new router table and mitre saw. I put a butcher block counter top on it all.The counter top "crowns" on both ends. I don't know where to find a planer that will fit 23 inches wide. I am FINALLY getting to the point where I want to build the shelves that will sit on top of it all. I will make two shelves (48" wide).They will sit on opposite ends of the wall/counter/cabinets (13'6"). There is a map of our worldwide destinations in the middle. At the end I want to connect these cabinets with an upper cabinet or shelf. Imagine an entire built in wall with a window (or map) in the middle. ANY help would be appreciated. LONG story short...I am looking for bookshelf plans that will sit on top of the countertop. THANKS IN ADVANCE!    

[Onno Kok]

Hi

It sounds like an interesting project, is there any chance of some pictures? That might help envision what you are after. I have a feeling that actual plans might not be the best, but general strategies for built ins. My brother has a world map that covers an entire wall in their den. They have all their trips plotted out, but mostly use it to plan their next adventure.

Onno

[Ken Darga]

>>>...The counter top "crowns" on both ends. I don't know where to find a planer that will fit 23 inches wide..../span>

The butcher block surface can be made flat/smooth, using a ''smoothing'' hand plane.

A keenly sharpen plane is needed, and the blade set very shallow---

shaving  .001'' at a time.

Use a metal ''straight edge'' to check flatness---

mark the high spots with ''pencil lead''---

a carpenter pencil, ''medium'' lead---

shading the high spots/areas, holding the pencil with the lead flat side against the wood.

Followed by shaving off the high spots, where you've made your pencil markings.

During hand planing---use long smooth strokes.

Hold the plane at a 15-30 degree angle, to the direction of wood grain---

this will position the shaving blade at an angle, which will make the shaving operation smoother and easier.

After shaving the pencil shaded areas, recheck with your straight edge, and repeat.

Hand planes are the way to go, when you don't have a power planer.

I use them frequently.

I've resurfaced a 3ft x 6ft maple table top, to a like-new condition---

It turned out great.  

It took awhile to plane that size surface, but I gained lots of experience doing it.

I hand-plane lots of surfaces, to obtain a smooth surface.

[simpleman]

[simpleman]

sorry it took me so long to reply. We had a bunch of other stuff on it. It still looks really jumbled bvecause this is all supposed to go on the shelving I am going to build. This is our collection from our travels (domestic and foreign).