Looking for Bookcase Plan

[Richard]

I'm looking to build a simple bookcase with the Kreg. I've seen a lot out there but are there any bookcase plans available that use the Kreg? If you know of some can you send a link.

Thanks!

[Larwyn]

I tend to design the project and use whatever joinery best helps me acomplish the design, rather than desingning the project around any certain method of joining the wood. Just a thought, I do like my Kreg jigs and have used them a lot over the years. I can imagine that I would use the Kreg jig for certain parts of a bookcase but would probably not use pocket hole joinery exclusively.

[Derek]

I guess I'd have to disagree with Larwyn on that one... for some of us, the majority of techniques out there (M&T, dowels, biscuits, etc.) we have no interest in whatsoever. I'd be very interested in building a bookcase myself, but if I had to use one of those techniques, I might say 'forget it.' Especially since the Kreg Jig is so versatile.

My desk, and my nightstands (see them in my profile) for example were built entirely with the Kreg Jig and/or simple glue butt joints. They turned out beautifully, even though they went together quickly and some woodworkers might have done it differently.

If you really want to use the Kreg Jig (great choice by the way, they work perfectly for every step of most book cases) but can't find a project plan... I'd just remind you that you can take almost any project plan and adapt it accordingly. If you find an M&T plan, you're just going to eliminate all the complicated steps and cut the pieces to the length you need, instead of compensating for overlaps, etc. There are lots of places online with free project plans, but sometimes you get what you pay for. www.plansnow.com has some really good plans, and you can also just adapt your Kreg project plans to fit what you want.

For me personally, I just like to look at some furniture in furniture stores, get some dimensions that I like, and then sketch it up by hand... with something as simple as a bookcase this might be your best bet!

Good luck!

[Larwyn]

I can agree with using pocket screws instead of biscuits any time, I see them as about equal in strength and with the pocket screws there's no need for clamps. In my opinion a well fitted mortise and tenon is somewhat stronger than screws and glue so still has it's place but not likely in a simple bookcase. Actually what I had in mind for the bookcase in question was rabbits and dadoes. A shelf set in a groove is actually supported by the sides rather than screws and/or glue, I know with modern glues this is less of a concern but I still feel that any joint that will hold itself together without glue or fasteners will do so even better with them. But , it was never my intention to discount the usefulness of pocket hole joints, I use them often and, unlike biscuit joints, cannot recall a case where a pocket hole joint has failed me. I am a big fan of my Kreg jigs.

[Derek]

Larwyn said:

I can agree with using pocket screws instead of biscuits any time, I see them as about equal in strength and with the pocket screws there's no need for clamps. In my opinion a well fitted mortise and tenon is somewhat stronger than screws and glue so still has it's place but not likely in a simple bookcase. Actually what I had in mind for the bookcase in question was rabbits and dadoes. A shelf set in a groove is actually supported by the sides rather than screws and/or glue, I know with modern glues this is less of a concern but I still feel that any joint that will hold itself together without glue or fasteners will do so even better with them. But , it was never my intention to discount the usefulness of pocket hole joints, I use them often and, unlike biscuit joints, cannot recall a case where a pocket hole joint has failed me. I am a big fan of my Kreg jigs.

A dado to hang the shelves is a great idea, but certainly not necessary... and if you do choose to do dados you could still use the Kreg Jig to join the two together. When I hung the bottom shelf on my nightstands, I used the techniques demonstrated in Kreg's "90 degree panel joints" video (below). The shelf went together quickly... and It's rock solid... although I did use a lot more pocket-holes than the video suggests. :)

Whatever you decide, Richard... good luck. And if you have any questions, feel free to post them here. We're glad to help where we can!

[Richard]

Thanks for the tips guys. I agree with Larwn in that I generally go with the joinery but I've got an exception in my case. I started a craftsman style bookcase using joinery but have to put it on hold for commissioned projects. I'm in desperate need of a bookcase my books are overflowing from my current one. I was looking for a 'quick and dirty' case which I can knock out in a weekend and knew the Kreg would help with that.

The 90 degree video will help and is what I was looking for, thanks!

[Thomas Meisch]

Go to the Kreg website and download the free plans in PDF. I used their bookcase plan to build a tall set of shelves for my granddaughter's playroom.