Rocket Ship Bookcase

Attach the four shelves to the two sides using 1-1/4" brad nails and glue, 2" self-tapping screws, or 3/4" pocket holes with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws.

Cut the two rocket fins out of the 1x8 with a jigsaw. Fasten from the inside of the bookcase with 1-1/4" brad nails and glue (pocket holes from the back side into the outside of the shelf work too), keeping the bottoms flush with the bookcase's bottom edge.

Fasten the footer with nails and glue. If you want to cut a decorative flame shape out of the footer, plan your nail placement first so you don't cut through a nail when shaping it afterward.

Set your miter saw to a 45° bevel and cut the top shelf piece to a 19-1/2" long-point-to-long-point measurement. Fasten it with a 3/4" overhang on the ends, keeping the front and back edges flush.

Cut the two roof pieces to a 15" long-point-to-long-point measurement, with only the ridge end beveled at 45° — the tail cut stays square. Dry-fit both pieces against each other and the top shelf before nailing; a gap at the ridge is the most visible mistake this build can make. Attach with 1-1/4" brad nails and glue.

Set the assembled bookcase on the 1/4" plywood sheet, trace the outline in pencil, remove it, and cut along the line with a jigsaw. Attach the traced back panel with 3/4" brad nails and glue into every board it crosses.