Projects / Plywood bookcase plans / 48″ tall, 30″ wide, 5 shelves
48″ plywood bookcase, 30″ wide
A 48-inch plywood bookcase, 30″ wide, with 5 shelves and a ¼″ back.
IntermediateA weekend8 parts¾″ plywood or ¼″ plywood
Other sizes:30″ tall, 24″ wide, 3 shelves36″ tall, 30″ wide, 4 shelves48″ tall, 30″ wide, 5 shelves60″ tall, 30″ wide, 6 shelves72″ tall, 30″ wide, 7 shelves
Have scraps? Check this project against your wood
Cutting diagram
Bright pieces are your parts; the dimmed wood is left over. Every cut allows ⅛″ for the saw blade.
Cut list
| Part | Qty | Width × length | Cut from | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Side | 2 | 11¼″ × 48″286 × 1219 mm | ¾″ plywood |
| B | Shelf | 5 | 11¼″ × 28½″286 × 724 mm | ¾″ plywood |
| C | Back | 1 | 30″ × 48″762 × 1219 mm | ¼″ plywood |
How to build it
- Rip the plywood into 11¼″ strips first, then crosscut two sides at 48″ and 5 shelves at 28½″.
- Iron edge banding onto every front edge and trim it flush.
- Screw the top and bottom shelves between the sides, then space the rest evenly, about 11 1/16″ apart.
- Square the case by measuring the diagonals, then nail the ¼″ back on to lock it square.
- Fill the screw holes, sand, and paint or finish. Screw it to the wall through the top shelf.