Date: Mon, 17 Oct 2005 16:55:33 -0400
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>, WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>
From: "Mike B." <omni at omniphile.com>
Subject: [WSFA] Re:  REviewer's workshop
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>

At 03:59 PM 10/17/2005 -0400, Madeleine Yeh wrote:

>   Actually i've got another topic to add.
>B).  How to make stable book cases cheaply and easily.
>      Don't know anything about the topic but its been a
>pipe dream of mine hampered by two left hands, and ten
>thumbs.

I can probably help out there...what did you have in mind?

Cheapest and easiest method is 1x12 shelving (or equivalent) set across
cement blocks.

8' of 1x12 pine runs about $15 or so at Home Depot (about as expensive as
you'll find), and cement blocks may be free or a dollar or two (check out
your local Freecycle...someone was giving away cement blocks in Rockville
recently).

Home Depot will cut the boards to length for you for little or nothing.  If
you want to be fancy, you can paint the blocks and boards.  Put the blocks
about every 3-4' (you can go a little farther for paperbacks, but stick
closer to 3' or less for heavy stuff).  You can span more with fancier
shelves (steel rod reinforcement, edge boards, metal shelving, plywood with
metal edging, etc.).  If you have uncarpeted floors I recommend putting
something under the blocks so they don't destroy the floor surface (carpet
scraps work).

I wouldn't go higher than about 4-5 tiers with this method though, unless
there's going to be some sort of securing system involved...though if you
put small pieces of the 1x12 on the blocks themselves, so there's no
tendency to tip, you might go higher and still be stable short of an
earthquake or large fan falling into it all.  Tapering toward the top,
pyramid style, can help with stability too.

I've seen milk crates used in place of the cement blocks for this, and they
work ok, but aren't quite as stable...though they do offer extra storage
space without actually looking any better.

Next cheapest and easiest is probably the method Elspeth was talking about
a couple of weeks ago...the brackets on the wall and boards.  This takes
minimal tools (level, drill, hammer, pencil, tape measure, screwdriver),
and not too much skill.  If you get all the screws into studs it can be
pretty strong too...though I wouldn't fill the shelves with encyclopedias.

After that you start getting into things that take more skill and tools to
build...but the cost can still be pretty low even for a decent look.  In
this category though, it's hard to beat some of the commercial offerings
for cost (and not too hard to beat them for durability).

Once I get myself moved to a place with more shop space I'm planning to try
making some shelves from bent pipe with wooden shelves set on steel rod.
Metal parts will probably be powder coated, but paint may be good
enough...some of the new spray epoxy ones are pretty tough and easy to apply.

I've never tried it, but PVC pipe might work if you stick with the larger
diameters and thicker walls.  Nothing much under 2", and keep the spans low
unless you test first.  Probably more expensive than boards and blocks, but
cheaper than hardwoods, and much easier to assemble.

Anyone else got ideas?

-- Mike B.