Small bookshelf

[LazarusDB]

I've been thinking about building small, modular shelf units for the workshop. I would hang them on the shop walls with z-clips or french cleats. This project was an experiment or attempt at the first unit. My choice of wood for this would be maple frames for the ends with a curly maple raised panel. I cut the angled portion of the frame long so I could cut the whole panel assembly once it was all glued together.

I obstacle that had me stumped was cutting the short, top rail on the router table. Thanks to others advice I basically sandwiched in between surrounding pieces and used double sided tape as an extra safety measure.

I assembled the end panel assemblies using a wedge to keep it together while the glue dried.

I then started on the back by using some poplar I had on hand and creating shiplap.

I used select pine (again, had on hand already) and painted the shelf, shiplap and top rail.

 

[LazarusDB]

I softened the front top corner of the end panels. Not sure about the decision since the raised panel isn't also curved.

You'll notice the top rail. It is to hang from that rail but I really messed up. I had cut a recess to mount two z-clips but then there wasn't enough meat in the wood to use proper length screws and worried about it falling off the wall. So I decided to use a keyhole router bit. In my rush to finish the project I routed the keyholes upside down. After redoing them the back of that rail looks a mess. Couldn't even take pictures it looks so bad. The shiplap back pieces fit into a groove in the shelf and top rail. I finally used pocket screws to attach the shelf and top rail.

It can be placed on a table/desk top or mounted on a wall.

I still like the idea of using these as wall mounted modules but need to think more about a better mounting solution.

Thanks for looking.

[wdwerker]

Looks like you got pretty decent results from an odd mixture of materials & techniques. I know how test runs go off the rails towards the end. I remember installing the french cleat backwards once.

[..Kev]

Turned out pretty cool..  Perhaps a French cleat set up to move them around the shop as you'd like.

[JosephThomas]

Looks good. I'd be worried about running into those sharp corners with my head, shoulder, arm, face, groin,  etc. Probably all of them on the first day in my shop.