DIY Network

2 in 1 Storage Two bookcases are transformed into storage. From "From Junky to Funky" episode DFJF-301

Host Samantha Gleisten transforms two thrift store bookcases into a television stand with storage.

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Materials:

2 matching bookcases
3/4" birch plywood
scrap plywood
6 1/2"x1/2" strips of plywood
12 1/2"x3/4" strips of plywood
1 1/4" sheet of plywood
1"x2" pine
primer
paint
tape measure
jigsaw
2 wood clamps
circular saw
wood putty
palm sander
hammer
pry bar
large T-square
chop saw
table saw
nail gun or hammer

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

1. Remove the thick, round outward-facing trim from the unit by unscrewing it from the back, and then remove the backboard by prying out the small nails. Do this to expedite any painting that may occur later.

2. Cut down the depth of the units using a jigsaw for curved cuts and a circular saw for straight cuts. Using a large T-square and measuring carefully (figure A), mark the new depth of each top corner, and then draw a straight cut line across each top.

Tip: Cut a plywood template to the contour of the curved side cut. Clamp the template to the side of the unit at each end, spanning the length of the piece. This will provide a guide for the jigsaw cut (figure B).

Tip: The material in this project is laminate, which means "tear out" and splitting is likely. Avoid this by using fine tooth blades on your saw and moving slow and steady through the material.

3. Construct an upper cap that will sit atop the two towers, creating a continuous upper shelf and locking the two towers (figure C).

4. Make the cap using 3/4 inch birch plywood. Note: Birch plywood is great for furniture projects that will be painted because it has a smooth finish like oak and maple plywood—but it's much cheaper.

5. Using a tape measure and a chop saw, measure and cut four pieces of 1" x 2" facing to create a clean edge for the plywood cap. Each end of the 1" x 2" piece will have a 45-degree cut to cover the 90-degree corners.

6. Create the shelves and shelf support system. Using a table saw and chop saw, cut twelve lengths o f 3/4" x 1/2" strips of wood and six 1/2" x 1/2" strips of plywood that are two inches shorter than the depth of the two towers.

7. Using a tape measure and a table saw, measure and cut three 1/2 inch pieces of plywood or MDF shelves that will span between the two towers and create an upper, middle, and lower shelf.

8. Pre-drill, glue, and then screw a 3/4" x 3/4" strip to the left and right sides of each shelf using a 1-1/4 inch screw.

9. Pre-drill, glue and then screw a 1/2" x 1/2" strip to a 3/4" x 1/2" strip using a 3/4" wood screw.

10. Attach these two piece strips to the sides of each tower that will be facing each other at the three desired heights using 1-1/2 inch screws and glue.

11. Apply putty to all of the nail holes.

12. Using a circular saw, cut a new backing from 1/4 inch plywood.

13. Prepare all the surfaces fro priming. Using a palm sander and 150-grit sandpaper, sand the laminate surfaces so that the primer will adhere. For the natural wood cap, use 240-grit sandpaper to sand the puttied holes and all the facing corners and edges to remove splinters.

14. Prime all of the components, and then paint.

Project Expense:

Entertainment Unit: $60
Wood: $15
Paint and Materials: $16

Total: $91

RESOURCES :

The Brown Elephant
Website: www.howardbrown.org/hb_brownelephant.asp