How to Build Book Shelf Tables

A book shelf table can allow you to store reference books or tools directly beneath a work surface, or it can simply provide an attractive accent for a study or library. In either case, building a book shelf table is as simple as building a set of bookshelves of equal height, then adding a wooden tabletop. This plan is for a four-sided table with no footwell, one that is tall enough to work on while standing up. A sit-down table requires only minimal adjustments and is still within the reach of even a novice woodworker. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Prepare Lumber

1

Use your power saw to cut all the lumber to the needed dimensions. If you do not have a power saw, or you're an inexperienced cutter, have the lumber cut at a lumber yard.

2

Separate 12 planks. Drill four pairs of holes through the planks using a drill bit 1/8 inch narrower than your wood screws. Each pair of holes will consist of holes 3/8 inch from each 36-inch edge of the plank. Drill the pairs 3/8 inch, 12 inches, 24 inches and 35 3/8 inch from one end of the plank.

3

Drill two holes in each end of the remaining 24 planks, on center and 3/8 inch from either edge of the plank. Use a drill bit 1/8 inch narrower than your wood screws.

4

Sand all faces of your lumber with coarse grit sandpaper. Sand a second time with fine grit paper.

5

Apply one coat of wood stain to all faces of your lumber. Allow to dry completely.

Shelf Assembly

6

Set two planks with faces drilled and two planks with ends drilled in a rectangle so the pilot holes align. Glue together with wood glue, then reinforce by driving a wood screw through each hole in the face planks and into the holes of the end planks.

7

Insert two more end-drilled planks inside the rectangular frame, each aligned with one set of pilot holes drilled in the face-drilled planks of the frame. Glue and screw in place.

8

Place a sheet of 1/4-inch board over the frame, with ends aligned with the ends of the frame. Glue in place. Reinforce with one finishing nail per corner and six finishing nails evenly spaced along each edge.

9

Allow glue to dry. Repeat steps one through three five more times to build a total of six bookshelves.

Table Assembly

10

Set two book shelves side by side with their inside sides touching. Glue together. Reinforce with two wood screws, driven through the inside face of one side and into the side of the other shelf.

11

Repeat step two to connect a second pair of bookshelves.

12

Set the two pairs of bookshelves parallel to each other, open sides facing out, about 36 inches apart.

13

Slip the remaining two bookcases between the paired bookcases, closing each end. The outside faces of these bookcases should be flush with the outside edges of the paired bookcases. Glue in place and reinforce as before.

14

Set the remaining 62-inch by 52-inch board on top of the bookcases, forming the table top. Glue in place. Attach to the bookcases with two screws per bookcase, driven through the underside of the top of the case and into the underside of the table top.

Finishing Touches

15

Dab a layer of painter's putty over the top of all visible screw heads. Wipe off excess and allow to dry.

16

Gently remove any excess glue that may have dried during construction.

17

Apply a second coat of stain to all exterior surfaces. You don't have to stain the insides of the shelves a second time.