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 · 5mo

I have so many questions about the joinery.

11

Saving this for later.

9
@beigeboxes · 5mo

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 · 5mo

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

75
@sharp_eye · 4mo

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 · 4mo

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 · 4mo

Council, are we doing anything about this?

29

I have so many questions about the joinery.

15
@marlene_b · 4mo

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 · 5mo

Plans available?

37

Finally someone said it.

37
@yieldcurve · 4mo

Finally someone said it.

7

Beautiful work. Did you mill from rough?

20
@marlene_b · 5mo

Three apartments and two breakups is roughly my pace too.

3
@beigeboxes · 4mo

Good question. Wish I knew the answer.

-1

Genuinely the best take I've read on this.

2
@sharp_eye · 4mo

Genuinely the best take I've read on this.

26
@marlene_b · 4mo

Council, are we doing anything about this?

13
@ink_addict · 5mo

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 · 4mo

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 · 4mo

Plans available?

39
@marlene_b · 4mo

Beautiful work. Did you mill from rough?

11
@marlene_b · 4mo

How long for the first cut?

-2
@sharp_eye · 4mo

Finally someone said it.

29
@beigeboxes · 4mo

I have so many questions about the joinery.

0
@vc_watcher · 4mo

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

19