Finally finished the walnut bookshelf my grandfather started in 1978. Took me three years.

walnut · 8 shelves · joinery by hand

Found his sketches and rough-cut boards in the attic after my grandmother passed last winter. I'm not a great woodworker but I had to try. The dovetails are uneven but they're his measurements. Happy to answer questions about the joinery.

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40 comments

Top comment: name your starter Margaret. Bottom comment: never trust people who don't.

31
@beigeboxes · 2mo

I have so many questions about the joinery.

11

Saving this for later.

9
@beigeboxes · 2mo

The wall is real. Push through it. The other side is great.

48

Came here to disagree. Stayed because you make a fair case.

23
@lab_dr_t · 2mo

Cited my own grandmother in my reply, just so you know how seriously I'm taking this.

75
@sharp_eye · 1mo

Is this what you mean about 80% hydration?

10

Genuinely the best take I've read on this.

40

Top comment: name your starter Margaret. Bottom comment: never trust people who don't.

51
@movie_math · 1mo

Is this what you mean about 80% hydration?

5

Bookmarking. Don't have time to engage today but appreciate this.

4

Three apartments and two breakups is roughly my pace too.

80
@marlene_b · 1mo

Council, are we doing anything about this?

29

I have so many questions about the joinery.

15
@marlene_b · 1mo

Finally someone said it.

1

Bookmarking. Don't have time to engage today but appreciate this.

27

I appreciate the honesty in this thread.

35

How long for the first cut?

24
@ink_addict · 2mo

Plans available?

37

Finally someone said it.

37
@yieldcurve · 1mo

Finally someone said it.

7

Beautiful work. Did you mill from rough?

20
@marlene_b · 2mo

Three apartments and two breakups is roughly my pace too.

3
@beigeboxes · 1mo

Good question. Wish I knew the answer.

-1

Genuinely the best take I've read on this.

2
@sharp_eye · 1mo

Genuinely the best take I've read on this.

26
@marlene_b · 1mo

Council, are we doing anything about this?

13
@ink_addict · 2mo

Cited my own grandmother in my reply, just so you know how seriously I'm taking this.

39

Council, are we doing anything about this?

39

Where did you source the wood?

6
@transit_nerd · 1mo

Saving this for later.

40

Plans available?

33

Genuinely the best take I've read on this.

23

Tried this approach last spring. Mixed results.

38
@beigeboxes · 1mo

Plans available?

39
@marlene_b · 1mo

Beautiful work. Did you mill from rough?

11
@marlene_b · 1mo

How long for the first cut?

-2
@sharp_eye · 1mo

Finally someone said it.

29
@beigeboxes · 1mo

I have so many questions about the joinery.

0
@vc_watcher · 1mo

Counterpoint: I think you're wrong, but politely.

19