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A three-shelf bookcase wrapped in 1x2/1x3 face frames that hide the plywood edges and add built-up legs. Build it from 1x12 pine or ripped plywood strips.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sides | 2 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 38 1/4" | 1x12 | ☐ |
| Shelves | 3 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 37" | 1x12 | ☐ |
| Leg sides | 4 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 41 3/4" | 1x2 | ☐ |
| Leg fronts/backs | 4 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 41 3/4" | 1x3 | ☐ |
| Inside top trim | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 37" | 1x2 | ☐ |
| Outside top / shelf trim | 8 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 35" | 1x2 | ☐ |
| Side shelf trim Measure and cut for best fit. | 8 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 8 1/4" | 1x2 | ☐ |
| Back | 1 | 1/4" × 38 1/2" × 40" | 1/4 in plywood | ☐ |
| Top Planked pine (1x12 + 1x3) or a single plywood/MDF panel. | 1 | 3/4" × 14" × 42" | 1x12 | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 1x12, 8 ft Sides and shelves — or one sheet of 3/4" plywood ripped into 11-1/4" strips. | 3 each | ☐ |
| 1x2, 8 ft Furring strips work; leg sides, trim. | 6 each | ☐ |
| 1x3, 8 ft Leg fronts and backs. | 2 each | ☐ |
| Plywood/MDF/beadboard, 1/4 in, sheet Back. | 1 each | ☐ |
| Edge banding, iron-on Only for plywood builds. | 1 roll | ☐ |
| Brad nails, 1-1/4 in and 2 in | 1 box | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 1 bottle | ☐ |
| Stain or paint | 1 quart | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Circular Saw, Drill / Driver, Speed Square. Materials: 1x12, 8 ft, Brad nails, 1-1/4 in and 2 in, Wood glue
Nail through the sides into the shelves to build the basic box, following the shelf spacing in the plan. Screws or 3/4" pocket holes with 1-1/4" pocket screws also work. Keep it square — the face frames will reference these edges.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Tape Measure. Materials: 1x2, 8 ft, Brad nails, 1-1/4 in and 2 in, Wood glue
Nail the 1x2 leg sides to the sides of the bookcase with 1-1/4" nails, keeping outside edges flush. They over-extend the bottom of the sides by 3-1/2" — that overhang becomes the leg. Confirm both sides extend the same amount so the case sits level.
Tools: Brad Nailer. Materials: 1x3, 8 ft, Brad nails, 1-1/4 in and 2 in, Wood glue
Fasten the 1x3 leg fronts and backs to the side legs with 2" nails, driving into the side legs, the shelves, and the sides all at once. Fastening into all three layers is what makes the legs structural rather than trim stuck on the outside.
Tools: Brad Nailer. Materials: 1x2, 8 ft, Brad nails, 1-1/4 in and 2 in, Wood glue
Attach the inside top trim with 1-1/4" brads and glue, then the two outer top trim pieces, top edges flush. Trim the front edges of all three shelves with the remaining 1x2 pieces, top edges flush with the shelves, using 2" nails and glue. This hides the shelf edges and gives a consistent front face.
Attach the 1/4" back panel with 1-1/4" nails and glue, marking and nailing into every shelf so it can't rattle. Then add the side shelf-trim pieces — measure and cut each for best fit, since real-world spacing drifts from the drawing.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Iron for Edge Banding, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: 1x12, 8 ft, Edge banding, iron-on, Brad nails, 1-1/4 in and 2 in, Wood glue, Stain or paint
Attach the top. For a plywood/MDF top, position it with a 1" overhang on the front and sides, glue and nail, then iron on edge banding to hide the raw edges. For a planked pine top, attach the 1x3 first (back edge flush with the back of the 1x2), 1" overhang each side, then the 1x12 across the front the same way.
Fill nail holes, sand, apply edge banding if you used plywood, and stain or paint.