On Jan 28, 2024, at 2:11?PM, Michael Garrison Stuber <mtgstuber@...> wrote:

Hi folks,

??? I'm about to embark on a project to build a series of modular bookcases.? (To be clear, my projects move slow and are for personal use . . . I may be working on this into 2026.? Sigh).? The basic design is simple box out of 3/4" ply, with a 1/2" back.? Rabbets on the top and back, dado for the bottom shelf.? There will be a face frame on the front, with glass doors. The plan is adjustable shelves.? I'm debating between sawtooth supports, commercial supports, and something custom where I use my ancient CNC machine to cut pockets that the shelf supports will rest on.? The shelves will have a solid edging with a lip to stiffen them, probably attached with a few dominoes.

??? Here's a basic rendering:

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??? For the interior units, I may just pocket screw the face frame on.? For the end units I'll probably use dominoes so there is nothing exposed.

??? These will stack to form a library wall that will be 12 feet tall and 18 feet wide.? I didn't bother to show the toe-kick / base that will be built on site.? There will be a library ladder that will allow access to the upper units:

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??? I've started looking at what material I want to use for this.?? I'm based near Spokane, Washington.? My local suppliers are able to get materials from Columbia, Murphy, States, and Timber Products.? They can get materials from other vendors as well, but these seem to the big ones.

??? I've used ApplyPly, Baltic Birch, and shop grade panels in the past.? While I like the price of cheaper imported panels, some shop grade birch I bought years ago was put together with bondo (or something similar) internally and destroyed some good cutters.? I'd rather by better materials and not have to fight with them or damage my cutters.

??? Here are my questions:

• What kind of core would you get for this application???
• Should I stick with a veneer core???
• Is there an advantage (or disadvantage) to the various hybrid cores?? (I'm not sure I care whether the panels are dead flat, and I'm generally suspicious of MDF)
• If you've worked with materials from any of these manufacturers, are there materials that you would recommend, or specifically avoid?

??? I would also welcome any general advise on the best way to approach this project.

???

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Michael Garrison Stuber