I am new to woodworking and just finished a cherry desk. I now need to build a book case but the room has a cathedral ceiling and the wall I want to put the book case slants in at 45 degrees at 4 ft.
I was planning on building a rectangular bookcase for the base (48h x 60w) and then putting a triangle case on top to deal with the rest of the height (8ft total). The x axis would be 60″ and the y axis 50″ base on the height needed. I have used a triangle calculator with the plan of one angle as 90 degrees (remaining angles 40 and 50) and the length of the last side 78″. I couldnt use 45 degrees for remaining angles as there is a doorway to left of book case and if I used this it would make the height too high.
My issues or request for help.
1) What is the best way to put a triangle together joint wise
2) what is the best way to cut the angles
3) how about the best way to insert shelves.
I have tried to attach rough sketch of what I am trying to do. Unfortanately limited and not too scale. (see below)
Thanks for your help
l
l
l__________
l l
l ______l________
l l l
l_______l_______l_________
l_________________________l
l_________________________l
Replies
If I were asked to do this I would try very hard to avoid building the top unit as a triangle with a sloped side. The joinery is difficult to cut and join, it will be very hard to exactly match the slope of the wall, and there is simply no good way to attach the shelves especially if you want them to be adjustable.
My suggestion would be to stair step the shelves, which would make the piece almost as simple as an ordinary bookcase:
_______
I______I___
I_________I___
I____________I___
I_______________I
If you must have a sloped side on the piece, get back to me and I'll try to help you out.
John White
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled