WOODWORKS: INTERMEDIATE PROJECT

SLIDING BOOKRACK

The design of this ingenious book holder was inspired by the work of Greene & Greene, two architects who designed Arts & Crafts homes and
furnishings in the early 20th century. Their detailing was exquisite yet they were also quite practical, as with this bookrack, which works simply
on friction. The bookends slide on two rails to keep any number of books upright.

In this intermediate-level project you’ll be cutting and shaping with a band saw, router, table saw and other tools to create a machine-perfect piece.
And when it’s all done, you’ll learn more about applying and using stains and finishes to protect the wood and keep it looking beautiful.

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TOOLS REQUIRED SHOPPING LIST

Hand Tools Recommended wood: Oak
– Mallet Alternate wood: Pine
– Screwdriver 1' x 8' oak: 3 lin. ft.
Power Tools Walnut: Scrap
– Random-orbit sander #8 x 1-1/2" flat-head screws
– Router
– Router table with rabbeting bit
– Table saw with dado set CUTTING LIST
– Band saw or scroll saw Overall Dimensions: 7-13/16"h x 6-1/8"w x 23-1/2"l
– Mortising machine
– Power planer
Key Part Pcs. Dimensions
Miscellaneous A Bookend 2 3/4" x 5-1/2" x 7"
– Pencil B Endcap 2 3/4" x 2-1/8" x 6-1/8"
– Tape measure C Base 2 3/4" x 5-3/4" x 1-1/4"
– Double-stick tape D Rail 2 3/4" x 15/16" x 23"
– Safety glasses E Pegs, Walnut 10 3/8" x 3/8" x 1/4"
– Carpenter's glue
– 120-, 150- and 220-grit sandpaper
– Clean, lint-free cloths
– Respirator
– Gloves for finishing
– Mineral spirits (for oil-based stains
and finishes)
– Water-filled metal container with
tight-fitting lid (for oil-based stains
and finishes)
– Minwax® Wood Finish™ Stain Brush
or other good quality, natural-bristle
brush (for oil-based stains and
finishes)

WOOD FINISHING PRODUCTS

Recommended Finish Alternate Finish
Prep: Minwax® Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner Prep: Minwax® Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner
Stain/ Stain: Minwax® Gel Stain Aged Oak
Finish: Minwax® Polyshades® Bombay Mahogany Finish: Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane semi-gloss
Optional Wax: Minwax® Paste Finishing Wax
added
finish: Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane or
Minwax® Wipe-On Poly
Wax: Minwax® Paste Finishing Wax

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BEFORE YOU BEGIN 12. Predrill the bases and bookends. Screw these parts together on the
Good craftsmanship begins and ends with good work habits, so make rail and endcap assembly and test their fit. There should be a little play
the following steps part of your routine workshop practice. If you have so the bookends will slide. Disassemble the bases and bookends for
any doubts or questions about how to proceed with a project, always finishing.
discuss them with your shop instructor.
• Carefully and fully review plans and instructions before putting a 13. Sand with 180- and 220-grit sandpaper to gently round the edges
tool to the project lumber. of the bookends, endcaps, rails and bases. Don't sand the bookends'
• Work sensibly and safely. Wear safety goggles when doing work that bottom edges. Proceed to the staining and finishing.
creates flying chips and sawdust; wear the appropriate respirator
whenever making sawdust or working with thinners or other solvents. 14. After the finishing is done, screw the bases to the bookends and
• At the end of every work session, clean up your shop area and put load in your books.
away all portable tools.
STAINING AND FINISHING
CUTTING AND ASSEMBLY Woodworker’s Tip: Though you may be tempted to cut short
PROCEDURE your sanding, preparation and application time, don't do it. These
tasks are very important steps in obtaining a high-quality finish.
Make the Parts
Remember, it is the finish, just as much as the fit and smoothness
1. Cut the bookends (A), endcaps (B) and bases (C) to their final size.
of the parts that will have great bearing on how people judge your
Cut the rails (D) an extra 1/8" thick. You can cut paired pieces at the
craftsmanship. To ensure an excellent result, follow the steps
same time by holding them together with double-stick tape.
listed in this section and also the instructions the finish manu-
facturer puts on its products.
2. Cut the shapes of the bookends, endcaps and bases on the band saw
(Fig. 1). Sand the sawn edges progressively using 100-, 120- and 150-
FINISHING TIPS
grit sandpaper. • Test the stains and finishes you are planning to use on scraps of
wood. On the back of the scrap, mark the stain/finish combination
3. Rout the bookend profile with a 3/8" rabbeting bit (Figs. 2 and 5). and the type of wood. Allow all samples to dry thoroughly before
Raise the bit in 1/16" increments to avoid tear-out. Use a chisel to making your final finish selection. Save your samples for quick
square the rabbet's inside corners. To safely begin the cut, pivot the reference on future projects.
work piece against a starting pin. Once started, you can ride on • All stains and finishes must be allowed to dry thoroughly between
the bit's bearing. coats. Remember that drying times can vary due to humidity and
other climatic conditions.
4. Cut shallow mortises into the bookends using a mortising machine • If you have some leftover stain or finish, wipe the can rim so that
(Fig. 2). Cut through mortises in the endcaps and rails (Figs. 3 and 4). stain or finish in the rim won't dry out and prevent the lid from
Some tear-out on the back is inevitable, even with a sacrificial board forming a tight seal.
under the rail, but you'll remove it in the next step. • Brushes used for oil-based products, such as Minwax®
Polyshades® or Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyrethane must be
5. Plane the rails to their final thickness using a power planer. Place cleaned with mineral spirits.
the torn-out sides facing up; they'll come out perfectly smooth.
15. Dust off the piece and wipe it carefully with a clean, lint-free cloth
6. Cut tenons on the rails using a dado set (Fig. 4). lightly dampened with mineral spirits.

7. Make the walnut pegs (E) from 3/8"-thick square blank. Cut the Recommended Finish
pegs to length with a band saw, Japanese pull saw or dovetail saw. 16. Apply Minwax® Polyshades® following the directions on the
can. Use a good quality, natural-bristle brush suitable for use with
Assemble the Bookrack polyurethane. Stir the can contents thoroughly before starting and
8. Glue and clamp the rails and endcaps. Work on a flat surface. periodically repeat stirring during your work session. Allow the first
Check the assembly for wobble before you set it aside to dry. coat to dry overnight.

9. Glue pegs (E) into the bookends and endcaps. Leave the 17. The next day, sand all surfaces lightly with 220-grit sandpaper or
pegs proud by at least 1/16". Scrape excess glue from around very fine (000) steel wool using with-the-grain strokes. Dust off and
the pegs before it dries. wipe all surfaces with a cloth dampened with mineral spirits. Apply a
second coat of Polyshades® and set the rack aside to cure overnight.
10. After the glue is dry, round over the pegs' sharp corners with To achieve a deeper color, you may apply a third coat after 4-6 hours,
180-grit sandpaper in a random-orbit sander. repeating the application directions. Allow the project to cure for
several days before using it.
11. Mark the positions of the bookend slots directly from the rail
and endcap assembly. Cut the slots using your miter gauge and a tall
auxiliary fence (Fig. 6). Make multiple passes, raising the blade 1/4"
with each cut.
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18. After the finish is dry, apply a coat of Minwax® Paste Finishing Wax DANGER: Rags, steel wool, other waste soaked with oil-based stains
over every surface and rub it out with #0000 steel wool to an even and clear finishes, and sanding residue may spontaneously catch fire if
sheen. This is an essential step. The wax lubricates the rails, allowing improperly discarded. Immediately place rags, steel wool, other waste
the bookends to slide smoothly. soaked with this product, and sanding residue in a sealed, water-filled
metal container. Dispose of in accordance with local fire regulations.
Woodworker’s Tip: If you achieve the desired color on the first
or second coats of Polyshades®, apply a clear coat of Minwax® When using oil-based wood finishing products:
Fast-Drying Polyurethane or Minwax® Wipe-On Poly for added CAUTIONS: CONTAINS ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS.
protection. Contents are COMBUSTIBLE. Keep away from heat and open flame.
VAPOR HARMFUL. Use only with adequate ventilation. To avoid over-
Alternate Finish exposure, open windows and doors or use other means to ensure fresh
19. Apply the Minwax® Gel Stain you've chosen using a clean, lint-free air entry during application and drying. If you experience eye watering,
cloth or natural-bristle brush. Allow the Gel Stain to set for about headaches, or dizziness, increase fresh air, or wear respiratory protec-
3 minutes, then wipe off any excess with a clean, lint-free cloth. To tion (NIOSH approved), or leave the area. Avoid contact with eyes and
achieve a deeper color, you may apply a second coat after 8 to 10 hours, skin. Wash hands after using. Keep container closed when not in use.
repeating the application directions for the first coat. Allow the stain to Do not transfer contents to other containers for storage.
dry for 24 hours before applying the finish.
FIRST AID: In case of eye contact, flush thoroughly with large
Woodworker’s Tip: When wiping off stain, make certain that amounts of water for 15 minutes and get medical attention. For skin
your last wipe with the cloth goes with the grain of the wood. This contact, wash thoroughly with soap and water. In case of respiratory
way, any stain you might miss during wipe-off will be visually difficulty, provide fresh air and call physician. If swallowed, call Poison
minimized by the wood grain. Control Center, hospital emergency room, or physician immediately.

20. Apply Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane following the directions DELAYED EFFECTS FROM LONG-TERM OVEREXPOSURE.
on the can. Use a good quality, natural-bristle brush. Allow the first coat Contains solvents which can cause permanent brain and nervous
to dry overnight. system damage. Intentional misuse by deliberately concentrating
and inhaling contents may be harmful or fatal.
21. The next day, sand all surfaces lightly with 220-grit or finer sandpa-
per using with-the-grain strokes. Dust off and wipe all surfaces with a WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the
cloth lightly dampened with mineral spirits. Apply a second coat of State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
polyurethane and set the piece aside to cure overnight. reproductive harm.
DO NOT TAKE INTERNALLY. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
22. The following day, sand all surfaces lightly with 220-grit sandpaper. CONFORMS TO ASTM D-4326. Contact a physician for more health
Dust off and wipe the piece with a cloth lightly dampened with mineral information.
spirits and apply the third and final coat of polyurethane.

23. After the finish is dry, apply a coat of Minwax® Paste Finishing Wax
over every surface and rub it out with #0000 steel wool to an even
sheen. This is an essential step. The wax lubricates the rails, allowing
the bookends to slide smoothly.

PRODUCT SAFETY
For your safety and the safety of those you work with, always read the
safety warnings, which manufacturers print on their labels, and follow
them to the letter.

WARNING! Removal of old paint by sanding, scraping or other means

may generate dust or fumes that contain lead. Exposure to lead dust or
fumes may cause brain damage or other adverse health effects, espe-
cially in children or pregnant women. Controlling exposure to lead or
other hazardous substances requires the use of proper protective
equipment, such as properly fitted respirator (NIOSH approved) and
proper containment and cleanup. For more information, call the
National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (in U.S.) or
contact your local health authority.

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FIG 1. BOOKRACK DETAILS

B C

#8 x 11/2" Screw

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FIG 2. BOOKEND DETAILS

1" 5
/8"
1"

13/4"
1
/2" Rad.

2"

3
/8" x 3/8" Mortise, 1/4" Deep

3
/8" Wide, 1/8" Deep Rabbet

7 15
/8" /16"

1" D

1
/16" Gap

FIG. 3. END CAP DETAILS

3
/8" x 3/8" Through Mortise
11/2"

11/2"
11/8"
9
1
/2" Rad. /16"

3
/4"

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FIG 4. RAIL DETAIL FIG 5. ROUT STEP

3
/8" x 3/8" Through Mortise

3 Top Edge
/8"

7
/8"

5
/16"

3
/8" x 3/8" x 1/2"
1
/4"

Starting Pin

FIG 6. CUT BOOKEND SLOTS

Fence attached to
miter gauge.

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