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Bookcase Entertainment Pair

Work in Progress

This couple wanted two matching bookcases to flank their entertainment center. 
Using Sapele wood, a beautiful and very stable hardwood, the bookcases began to grow together. "Through mortice and tenon" joinery added strength and interest to these handsome pieces.

Owner happy to receive Sapele lumber.

FRAMES

The lumber arrived!

Board on left was rejected.
Adjacent boards are matched up and marked.
All side panels matched and ready.

After surfacing, the panel on the left was rejected due to poor grain character. 

Adjacent boards are matched up and marked.

All side panels,
matched and ready.

Boards are selected for even color, texture, and grain, for a uniform flow.

Boards are selected
for even color, texture, and grain, for a uniform flow.

Router jig with measuring gauges #1

Router Jig for Mortices
of lower cabinet sides.
Panel results shown under
the rulers.

Dry fitting for lower cabinet skirt.

Dry fit for lower  cabinet skirt.

Recessed rebate for glue and fasteners to grip.

This Shelf "floats" in a dado with no glue, avoiding cracking due to humidity changes.  

Chisel sharpening gear.

Time to sharpen the chisels.

Arrows show putting those chisels to work!
Clipart chisel

Putting those chisels to work.

Hand pushing tenon through mortice.
Hand gliding tenon through mortice.

Dry test proves ideal fit!

DOORS

Rail & Stile design plan.
Mortice Jig held with clamp.

Rail & Stile Design Sheet

We use tenon method on the left, because it's stronger than the typicla tenon on right.

Here's an example of a haunched tenon (L)
versus a typical one (R).  

Jig for door mortices.

Door frame with sample rail.

Door frame
with sample rail. 

Two matching bookcases side by side.4

The twins are developing!

​

Finished matching bookcases flanking TV console.

Bookcases completed

and installed!!

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