Inspiration

This small shelf, with it's shape evoking a bench hence it's name, Book bench, lets small books vertically sit on it. Thanks to the reclined position, the books are stable and the need for bookends is done away with, saving up space. Also, the small elevation of the shelf makes possible the placement of documents, books or other thin objects below the books, saving space on the suface underneath.

I admit this is not my idea. One day I saw my brother using a similar wood construction for holding his books and knew right away I needed the equivalent. What he was using came from our grandmother's house and did not appear to have been bought. I was probably handmade and unique.

Why not build one myself? I thought. And then of course, I did.

This page, created in 2013, comes a little late for a project completed in 2008, but I thought that sharing this project that has been useful to me for the last 5 year would be worth.

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Here are pictures of the original used by my brother. Notice that the inclination is greater at approximately 45° vs. only 25° in my version.

CAD

Here are a few renders based on the 3D models I made before building this.



I also prepared new drawings for this publication since I did not like the originals. I think improved a bit since 2008.


The drawings are also available in PDF format. Perfect for printing the outline to scale and using it as a guide for cutting.
Assembly drawing
Drawing for the side piece (dimensions and outline)

Construction

Unfortunately, I did not take pictures of the process, but if I recall correctly, it was as follows:

• The outline was copied on the wood.
• Having no better tools, I used a jigsaw to cut a first side piece.
• Made a copy of the first side piece using a router.
• Added simple ornaments using the router.
• The two shelves were cut, and holes were pre-drilled for the screws.
• Assembly using glue and screws.
• Light varnishing.

The result, presented in the next section, is quite satisfactory. Improvements I would like to do in the next version are:

• Using better tools to cut a smoother outline.
• The screws are not very sightly, I think using brass or bronze screws would be better.
• Or instead of screws, dowel pins or another invisible assembly method could be used.

Result

The only pictures took in 2008:


New pictures taken in 2013:


It is shown that the bench accepts a great variety of books, including: