A question regarding bookcases. My stock for a bookcase is 3/4 inch, with dado cuts in the side panels to recieve the shelves. My question is, should the bookcase back panel be 3/4 inch or 1/4. If it is 3/4 should I also rout a dado cut in the back panel or just use nails/screws? If the back panel is 1/4 inch, the I would just nail since a dado is impossible. What is the best practice for a back panel when building a good solid bookcase? Thanks
Welcome
You can learn quite a bit from building bookcases. Dado the sides for your shelves. I've never seen anything thicker than 1/4" for the back. 1/8" will work just fine. Rabbet the back edge of the sides to suit the back. Then glue and nail the back to the sides and shelves. I prefer to use 5/8 crown staples. but it you don't have the stapler the brads will work.
I like to add a face frame to the front; it adds lot of strength to the case. Depending the size you can make some of the shelves adjustable. If you have the time, adding glass doors are a nice touch! Recessed casters can be added. Do a Google search for bookcases, you will find lots of ideas.
Be sure and post us a picture when you finish.
The 1/4" thick will work on both,,you can put in a dado to hide the open grain that you don't want to show,,,you can put it in by 1/2" or so from the back edges..
This will give you a scribe edge to get it to fit just right to the wall but if it's a free standing type, it's on the back side that not one will it see the norm.
You can always put a rabbit on the back side and hide the open grain...
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