Replies

1. 
   BG | Mar 07, 2004 01:33am | #1

   Bob,

   Norm has the plans for the Barrister Bookcase on his website... http://www.newyankeeworkshop.com

   I think Rockler sells the hardware.  You can get a pretty good idea of how it works by looking at the catalogue...if that is all you need.
1. 
   bobblack | Mar 07, 2004 04:03am | #2

   thanks BG I'll try those links, bob

2. 
   wrudiger | Mar 07, 2004 06:27am | #3

   Bob,

   You can also check your library for Taunton's "Bookcases" book, by Niall Barrett.  It has very detailed plans and construction descriptions on a barrister bookcase.

   Don't forget to post pics when you're done!

   Wayne

1. 
   bobblack | Mar 07, 2004 05:30pm | #4

   thanks for the reply Wayne I will try to find the book. As for pictures, that is a bird of a different color. All my previous tries were disastrous, I think I'm a much better woodworker than a computer operator ( an age thing you know) sincerely, bob

3. 
   Jeffnv | Mar 07, 2004 06:37pm | #5

   I just brought one in from the shop.  Got the plans out of wood mag.  They were pretty good.  Did a little modification to fit the size I wanted.

4. 
   UncleDunc | Mar 07, 2004 08:19pm | #6

   I've seen suggestions for using the kind of hideaway doors they use on TV cabinets. That might take more vertical space than you'd like, but if you buy quality hardware, I would expect it to work smoothly and reliably, which is more than I can say for some of the schemes I've seen.

5. 
   kenfitz | Mar 08, 2004 04:41am | #7

   Hi,

   Funny you should mention this as I have a number of different plans for a barrister book case including Norm's.  They all have their good points but the one I like the best covers exactly what you are talking about.  It shows how to install the door without special hardware.  It came out of a very old Woodworkers Journal when they used to print in black and white with dust covers.

   It is nothing more that a groove in a cleat installed at the top of the inside frame. The groove is running from front to back stopping about 1 1/2 inches from the rear then going down.  This allows you to insert the pins in the top sides of the door up into the slot and pull forward. After installing the door you put another pin just forward of the down slot to keep the door from falling out every time you open it.  There is also a pin in front below the groove to hold the bottom of the door open. I don't have the issue anymore but could do a drawing if you don't get what I am trying to explain.  Hope this helps. 

6. 
   FFFW | Mar 09, 2004 08:59pm | #8

   I made a barrister bookcase last year from the Woodsmith plans. I don't recall which issue it was in, but if you need me to, I can look it up at home in a day or two. It's a knock down design so you don't have all the casework to tote around at once.

   I made my case work from mahogany, and rather than glass doors, I did raised panels of Lacewood. The doors run on simple metal pins, cut from a metal dowel. You can see some of the results at http://fp2.ipns.com/szott if you follow the links down far enough (woodworking, barrister bookcase).