Cherry bookcase

Re: Cherry bookcase

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

12" is deeper than necessary so if the lumber works out best to 11 or 11 1/2" etc go with what the lumber allows.

One can achieve some attractive panel sides from gluing two boards. A technique I like to use is to cut a board in the "middle+/-" and fold one end back like closing a jack knife to achieve a faux book match. Including some cherry sapwood can even achieve an attractive appearance.

Examples:

Been there.

Virgil Johnson

You asked if it makes sense to use 12 wide boards. It does if you can find them. Nothing wrong with gluing up from narrow stock. You can't see the shelves anyway so it makes sense to use narrow stock here. Your daughter will like it just the same no matter the construction.

http://www.woodcentral.com/shots/shot33.shtml

Re: Cherry bookcase

paul in AZ

It will be very hard to find 12 inch heartwood cherry. Glue boards up.

I use cherry a lot and have few qualms about using some sapwood. It can be a design element that adds contrast. You could use some sapwood to carry a paler line around the top and sides.

I don't stain cherry. A couple of light washes of boiled linseed oil then a few days out in the sunshine pops grain and accelerates the change to cherry's rich reddish color. Years worth of color change in a couple of days. Sapwood starts out somewhat paler and over time turns a honey color that looks fine next to the heartwood color.

Who has 12" wide AND attractive boards?

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

Bookmatching boards creates the best balanced effect. Just do not go mad with the figure ...

Sometimes you cannot help it

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Who has 12" wide AND attractive boards?

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

I do, but still I sometimes do some approximation of a book match on a panel for the reasons you illustrate. Patterns with visual interest can result. A single board with symmetrical grain about a center line can also be pleasing. In the end I let the lumber I have available tell me which choice to make.

Re: Cherry bookcase

Joe in a Cleveland suburb

Thanks all.

I'll do glue-ups I think.

Here is the last bookcase I made a year or two ago for my son. Cherry and maple.

Re: Cherry bookcase

Joe in a Cleveland suburb

Wow super nice. Especially that second one. Beautiful.

Cherry bookcase

Tom Colligan

Hi Joe, I made Chris's bookcase and used his dimensions. I regret not adding some height to two of the shelves as they don't accept some of the larger books.