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6-Cube Organizer Bookshelf

A six-compartment 1x12 bookshelf on short legs, framed with 1x2 trim on the front and back for extra rigidity.

Cut list

Part	Qty	T × W × L	Material	✓
Top	1	3/4" × 11 1/4" × 40 1/2"	Pine 1x12	☐
Sides	2	3/4" × 11 1/4" × 26 3/4"	Pine 1x12	☐
Shelves	2	3/4" × 11 1/4" × 39"	Pine 1x12	☐
Cubby dividers	4	3/4" × 11 1/4" × 12 1/4"	Pine 1x12	☐
Legs	4	3/4" × 1 1/2" × 31"	Pine 1x2	☐
Front/back trim Measure and cut to fit — lengths will vary slightly.	6	3/4" × 1 1/2" × 37 1/2"	Pine 1x2	☐

Item	Qty	✓
Pine, 1x12, 12 ft	1 each	☐
Pine, 1x12, 8 ft	1 each	☐
Pine, 1x2, 8 ft	5 each	☐
2" self-tapping wood screws or pocket hole screws	1 box	☐
Brad nails, 1-1/4" and 3/4"	1 box	☐
Wood glue	4 oz	☐
Wood filler and finish	1 each	☐

Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.

Brad Nailer
Circular Saw
Drill / Driver
Hearing Protection
Pencil
Random Orbit Sander
Safety Glasses
Speed Square
Tape Measure
Hammer — optional
Pocket Hole Jig — optional
Alternative to countersunk screws for the main joints.

1. Mark and drill the joints
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig
Mark out all your joint locations on the cut pieces. Predrill and countersink for 2" screws and glue throughout, or use a pocket-hole jig with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws instead.
2. Attach the bottom shelf and dividers
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 1x12, 12 ft, Pine, 1x12, 8 ft, Wood glue
Attach the bottom shelf's divider pieces to the bottom shelf with 2" screws. Attach the bottom shelf to the sides, applying glue at every point where a vertical cubby divider will line up — a 1x2 leg will reinforce this joint in a later step, but the glue here is what carries the shelf load long-term.
3. Attach the legs
Tools: Brad Nailer. Materials: Pine, 1x2, 8 ft, Wood glue
Attach the legs to the sides, flush on all sides, with 1-1/4" brad nails and wood glue.
4. Add the front and back trim
Tools: Brad Nailer, Tape Measure. Materials: Pine, 1x2, 8 ft
Measure and cut the horizontal trim pieces to fit the front of the bookshelf, then repeat for the back. This trim ties the whole box together and is what keeps it from racking.
5. Attach the back panel trim and finish
Tools: Brad Nailer, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: Wood glue, Wood filler and finish
Attach the back trim with 3/4" brad nails and glue. Sand, fill nail holes, and finish.