One Bookcase, Two Bases
with Philip C. Lowe

One Bookcase, Two Bases

Make this bookcase from hardwood-veneer plywood with solid-wood edging and molding. You can finish the case with a simple flat-bracket base.

Videos in This Series

	Introduction (Now Playing) See the two bookcases and preview options for the bases.
	Cutting Plywood to Size Learn strategies for making accurate cuts in large sheets.
	Dadoes and Rabbets See how to make cuts to hold the case pieces and shelf standards.
	Beginning the Assembly See how to assemble the basic case using glue and screws.
	Making a Flat Bracket Base Watch how to shape the parts of the base and attach them to the case.
	Attaching Moldings Learn how to make mitered joints fit together without gaps.
	Finishing the Case Lowe demonstrates how to attach the top and the back panel.
	Shaping an Ogee Bracket Foot Watch how to cut a cove on the tablesaw and round over a curve with planes and scrapers.
	Finishing an Ogee Bracket Foot See how to cut curves on the bandsaw and miter the feet.
	Finishing Options Learn about basic choices for staining and protecting the bookcase.
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PHILIP C. LOWE
Beverly, Massachusetts

I got my first taste of woodworking when I served in the Navy, and I've been a professional since 1968. I was an instructor at the North Bennet Street School in Boston for a decade. Now, I own and operate my own school, the Furniture Institute of Massachusetts. I've written many articles for Fine Woodworking, and I've been featured in several Taunton Press videos.

In this video workshop I'm going to show you how to build a basic bookcase and finish it with interesting, attractive details. You make the case from hardwood-veneer plywood, assembling it with screws and simple dado-and-rabbet joints.

At the base, you have a choice: You can make a flat-bracket base that you cut on the tablesaw and bandsaw, or if you want the same kind of base used on period furniture, you can make an ogee bracket foot. To make this base, you cut a cove in thick stock on the tablesaw; I'll show you how to do that. Then you shape the rest of the curved foot with planes and scrapers. Finally, you cut a decorative scroll pattern on the bandsaw. I'll show you how that's done; the downloadable plan includes full-size patterns for both feet.

This video workshop refines bookcase designs from an article I wrote for Fine Woodworking #133; the photos above are from that article.

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