DIY Network

Building Storage Units If you want to hide the TV and display more books, here are some great tips and projects to get your place organized and looking great. From "Today Show Tips" episode DTST-124

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Create Storage for Books

Books always seem to multiply faster than the space you have for storing them. Good news, though: Bookshelves and bookcases are easy to build. There are several ways to mount shelves in a bookcase, though. Here are some ideas for building strong shelves for your personal library.

• You can make the bookcase any size you want, but plan it so that the shelves are no more than 30 inches wide. If they get much wider, they'll start to bow. If you want to make a bookcase that's about 50 inches wide, for example, plan on a double bookcase with two sets of 24" shelves.

• For the top of the bookcase, use a lap joint instead of butting the pieces of wood together. That will provide more strength and stability. You can do create laps with a router or a table saw.

• You can make the shelves permanent or adjustable. For adjustable, you can drill holes into the inside of the vertical pieces and use pegs to support the shelves, or you can install metal shelf standards.
  

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• It's a good idea to make at least one of the shelves permanent, though. It will help stabilize the bookcase and keep it from racking.

• There are several techniques for permanent shelves. One is to butt the shelf up to the inside of the vertical piece, then glue it and nail it from the outside. Punch in the nails, and fill the nail holes with wood filler.

• You also can attach a cleat to the inside of the bookcase and rest the shelf on it. Again, glue and nail the shelf to the cleat.

• Use a router to cut a groove in the inside of the vertical. Once you've glued the shelf into place, it will keep the bookcase stiff.

• If you want still more stiffness, you can add a rail to the shelf. A rail is a piece of wood that runs along the front edge.
  
  
  
  

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  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Building Storage Units