Magazine Rack

Dimensions

Cut list

Tools you'll need

• ✓

  Measuring tape (5m or longer)

  Used for measuring all parts.

• ✓

  Pencil and carpenter's square

  Used for marking lines and confirming right angles.

• ✓

  Saw

  Using home center cutting service is recommended.

• ✓

  Electric screwdriver

  Impact driver improves work efficiency.

• ✓

  Sandpaper

  Prepare two types: #120 and #240 grit.

• ✓

  Level

  Essential for checking levelness during assembly.

• ✓

  Clamps (2 or more)

  Used for temporary fixing during joining.

• ✓

  Brush and paint tray

  Used for oil and varnish finishing.

Materials

Build steps

1. 1

   Final check of materials and tools

   ≈ 15 min

   Prepare two side boards of SPF lumber 1x8 (19×200×900mm), six shelf boards (19×200×400mm), one 4mm plywood back panel (400×900mm), twenty-four 38mm coarse-thread screws, and four 50mm L-brackets. Tools needed are electric screwdriver, saw, measuring tape, carpenter's square, #120 and #240 sandpaper, level, two F-type clamps, brush with paint tray, staple gun or small nails.

   Measure

   W 400 mm

   MeasureSTEP 1 / 20

   Tip

   • SPF lumber tends to warp. Check each board visually upon purchase and select those with warp less than 1mm.
   • L-brackets and screws are essential for tipping prevention. Never omit them.

   Watch out

   • Check each SPF board for warp, cracks, and knots before purchase. Using boards warped over 1mm will cause shelf boards to distort.
   • The 4mm plywood back panel is thin and prone to bending when moving. Store it upright immediately after cutting.
2. 2

   Securing the working space

   ≈ 10 min

   Secure a workspace where you can stand and work on the 900mm tall bookshelf. A ceiling height over 2200mm and floor area about 1500×1200mm are comfortable. Spread a blue sheet and use two saw horses to support long boards.

   Inspect

   No wobble ✓

   InspectSTEP 2 / 20

   Tip

   • Assembly is done lying on the floor; standing up occurs only in the final step. You can work even in narrow rooms.

   Watch out

   • Once assembled, it is difficult to stand the bookshelf up alone. Two-person work is safer.
   • If ceiling height is under 2000mm, the bookshelf may hit the ceiling when stood up. Check in advance.
3. 3

   Creating cut list and requesting cuts

   ≈ 20 min

   Submit cut list for 2 side boards (900mm), 6 shelf boards (400mm), and back panel (400×900mm) to the home center. If cutting yourself, support the long boards on two saw horses and make cross cuts carefully. Aim for cut accuracy within ±2mm.

   Cut

   Use the in-store cut service

   CutSTEP 3 / 20

   Tip

   • Cutting fee is 30-50 yen per cut. Requesting all cuts costs around 1000 yen and reduces time from 30 minutes to immediate.
   • Since the 6 shelf boards share the same size, bundle and cut together for highest accuracy.

   Watch out

   • 19mm thick SPF easily warps even with straight cuts. Use a guide to cut straight.
   • 4mm plywood is soft and warps if unsupported during cutting. Support from below.
4. 4

   Sanding all parts (#120 then #240)

   ≈ 40 min

   Sand all parts starting with #120 grit then finishing with #240 grit. Pay particular attention to side board shelf support surfaces, shelf board top and bottom, and wood edges (cut ends). Round off shelf board edges for ease of handling. After sanding, vacuum to remove all sawdust.

   Sand

   #120

   SandSTEP 4 / 20

   Tip

   • Sanding shelf board surfaces to smooth finish facilitates smooth book insertion/removal.
   • Wood edges tend to have raised fibers so start sanding with #120 grit carefully.

   Watch out

   • SPF lumber is soft; oversanding alters dimensions. Use #120 grit mainly; #240 is for finishing.
   • Rounding edges too much creates clumsy look. Keep edge radius about 2mm.
5. 5

   Marking shelf positions on side boards

   ≈ 15 min

   Place two side boards side by side and mark shelf positions for six shelves with pencil. Shelf spacing from bottom can be 300mm for six shelves (total 1800mm), or wider gaps at the top for display shelves. Ensure matching positions by marking both side boards together.

   Mark a line

   Use a try square

   MarkSTEP 5 / 20

   Tip

   • Clamp both side boards together during marking to ensure exact shelf alignment.
   • Base shelf spacing on book sizes: A4 (297mm height), A5 (210mm), and paperback (150mm) for easier storage.

   Watch out

   • Uneven shelf positions cause shelves to tilt. Mark both boards together while clamped.
   • Forgeting shelf board thickness (19mm) leads to too narrow shelf space.
6. 6

   Preparing pilot holes

   ≈ 20 min

   Drill 3mm diameter pilot holes at the marked positions. Drill from the outside of the side boards towards the shelf board end grain, penetrating through the side board (19mm thick) plus about 10mm into the shelf board (total 29mm). Use masking tape on drill bit for depth indication.

   Drill a hole

   下穴 φ3.5mm

   DrillSTEP 6 / 20

   Tip

   • 3mm pilot holes are about 70% diameter of 4.2mm coarse-thread screws, effectively preventing wood splitting.
   • Drill 24 pilot holes total: 2 holes per shelf board end × 6 shelves × 2 side boards. Check no holes are missed.

   Watch out

   • Insufficient pilot hole depth prevents screws seating fully. Drill slightly deeper than needed for safety.
   • Do not drill through the opposite side of shelf boards; use tape as depth limit.
7. 7

   Temporarily fixing shelf boards to one side board

   ≈ 20 min

   Lay one side board flat on the floor and stand 6 shelf boards on the marks. Clamp each shelf board with an F-type clamp. Confirm right angles between side board and shelf boards using carpenter’s square; visually check difficult areas.

   Build the frame

   Check for square

   AssembleSTEP 7 / 20

   Tip

   • Assemble shelves from bottom up for stability.
   • One clamp per shelf board simplifies work; if only two clamps are available, proceed sequentially.

   Watch out

   • Fixing at incorrect right angles results in parallelogram distortion. Always confirm with carpenter’s square.
   • If shelf boards protrude beyond side board edges, back panel installation will be impossible.
8. 8

   Screw fastening one side

   ≈ 15 min

   Drive 38mm coarse-thread screws through pilot holes from the outside of the side board into the shelf board ends. Use two screws per joint at six positions (12 screws total). Screw heads should be flush or sunk 0.5mm below side board surface. Use medium torque on impact driver, final tightening by hand about quarter turn.

   Drive screws

   コーススレッド 51mm

   ScrewSTEP 8 / 20

   Tip

   • Slightly offset two screws vertically to increase withdrawal strength.
   • If screw heads are visible, wood dowels can fill holes later (optional).

   Watch out

   • Over-tightening screws splits 19mm SPF lumber end grain; use medium torque.
   • If screws enter at an angle and protrude opposite side, remove and fill holes with wood filler then re-screw in a new position.
9. 9

   Preparation for attaching opposite side board

   ≈ 15 min

   Stand the assembly with one side board and shelf boards fixed. Place the other side board on the opposite ends aligning with marked shelf positions. Clamp it temporarily. Check that the entire unit is vertical and confirm right angles.

   Build the frame

   Check for square

   AssembleSTEP 9 / 20

   Tip

   • Two-person work recommended: one holds, one clamps for precision.
   • Side board marks on opposite side were made previously; do not re-mark.

   Watch out

   • Attempting this alone risks shelf boards falling. Work with two people or lean against wall.
10. 10

    Screw fastening opposite side

    ≈ 15 min

    Drive 38mm coarse-thread screws through pilot holes from outside opposite side board into shelf board ends. Two screws per joint × six shelves = twelve screws. Fixing both side boards completes the main bookshelf structure.

    Drive screws

    コーススレッド 51mm

    ScrewSTEP 10 / 20

    Tip

    • After fastening both sides, use level to confirm all shelves are horizontal. Adjust by loosening screws if any shelf is tilted.
    • Do not screw both sides simultaneously; tighten all on one side first, then the other.

    Watch out

    • Screwing both sides simultaneously causes distortion.
11. 11

    Check overall levelness and diagonal measurements

    ≈ 15 min

    Place the assembled bookshelf on the floor. Use a level to check each shelf is horizontal. Measure the two diagonal lengths (top-left to bottom-right, top-right to bottom-left) with a measuring tape; they should differ by less than 5mm. If distorted, loosen clamps to adjust and add screws to fix.

    Check level

    Level ✓

    LevelSTEP 11 / 20

    Tip

    • Diagonal difference above 5mm indicates parallelogram distortion. Correct before attaching back panel.
    • Back panel increases structural rigidity; fix distortion beforehand.

    Watch out

    • Shelf boards sagging at center worsens under books' weight. Shelf length up to 600mm is acceptable; over 1000mm should consider reinforcement.
12. 12

    Prepare for attaching back panel

    ≈ 10 min

    Place the 4mm plywood back panel (400×900mm) on the rear of the bookshelf body. Align all corners and verify diagonals match the bookshelf body (aligning the back panel corrects final distortions). Secure lightly with masking tape.

    Build the frame

    Check for square

    AssembleSTEP 12 / 20

    Tip

    • Back panel is key for preventing distortion. Attaching it slightly skewed reduces rigidity.
    • 4mm plywood can be fastened easily with a staple gun. If using small nails, drill pilot holes first.

    Watch out

    • If back panel is larger than bookshelf, trim excess edges. If smaller, keep a uniform 5mm gap around edges.
13. 13

    Staple fastening back panel

    ≈ 20 min

    Staple or small nail the back panel to side boards and shelf boards. Staple spacing should be 100-150mm apart, around the perimeter and at shelf board positions. Start from corners and proceed along diagonal to reduce distortion.

    Drive screws

    コーススレッド 51mm

    ScrewSTEP 13 / 20

    Tip

    • Staple gun (~1500-2500 yen) is faster than nails and worthwhile for bookshelf making.
    • Mark shelf board positions on back panel with pencil to avoid missing fastenings.

    Watch out

    • Staples penetrating inside side can damage books. 15mm staple length is appropriate for 19mm thick lumber.
    • Fasten not only four edges but also shelf board locations to prevent back panel from warping.
14. 14

    Preparation for L-bracket installation

    ≈ 15 min

    Attach four 50mm L-brackets at top rear corners of bookshelf, two on each side. One side is fixed to top edge of bookshelf, the other side to wall. Use a stud finder to locate wall studs in advance.

    Fix to the wall

    Anchor to studs

    Wall mountSTEP 14 / 20

    Tip

    • Store-bought stud finders from 100 yen shops are less accurate; home center models (1000-2000 yen) are recommended.
    • Wall studs are normally spaced 455mm; locating one helps approximate neighbors.

    Watch out

    • If wall is only drywall, screws won't hold and tipping prevention fails. Always fix into studs.
    • If bracket locations miss studs, shift brackets left or right to align screw holes to stud centers.
15. 15

    Attach L-brackets to bookshelf

    ≈ 10 min

    Attach four L-brackets to bookshelf top side boards' outside surfaces. Use 38mm coarse-thread screws in bracket screw holes. Brackets should be flush or up to 5mm proud of side board surface, projecting perpendicularly towards wall.

    Drive screws

    コーススレッド 51mm

    ScrewSTEP 15 / 20

    Tip

    • Ensure bracket orientation: bent side towards wall, screw holes towards bookshelf.

    Watch out

    • Incorrectly angled brackets create gaps between bracket and wall during fixing. Check with level.
16. 16

    Setting up bookshelf and wall fixing

    ≈ 20 min

    Carry the bookshelf to installation site (two people recommended). Position flush against wall. Using wall side L-bracket holes, drive 45-50mm coarse-thread screws into wall studs (either supplied screws or separately purchased). Fasten all four brackets for tipping prevention.

    Fix to the wall

    Anchor to studs

    Wall mountSTEP 16 / 20

    Tip

    • Use 45-50mm screws for wall fixing; 38mm screws are too short to reach studs.
    • Wall fixing is critical to prevent injury or death due to toppling during earthquakes; do not skimp.

    Watch out

    • Drywall anchors alone are insufficient for strength; always fix into studs.
    • If more than 5mm gap exists between wall and bookshelf, insert shims before fastening. Leaving gap weakens bracket effectiveness.
17. 17

    Cleaning before finishing

    ≈ 10 min

    Vacuum and wipe the bookshelf thoroughly to remove sawdust, oils, and fingerprints. Cleaning quality strongly affects finish quality. Plywood back panel absorbs finishes quickly; masking it beforehand is optional.

    Inspect

    No wobble ✓

    InspectSTEP 17 / 20

    Tip

    • Wipe before finishing using three-step: dry wipe, damp wipe, dry wipe for perfect cleaning.

    Watch out

    • Remaining sawdust causes rough finish surface. Use light to check carefully.
18. 18

    First oil stain application

    ≈ 40 min

    Apply oil stain such as Watco Oil or Kinura with brush to entire bookshelf. Order: outside side boards, shelf board faces, shelf board undersides, back panel. After 10-15 minutes, wipe off excess with dry cloth. Use about 60-70% of total oil amount on first coat.

    Paint

    Watco oil / varnish

    PaintSTEP 18 / 20

    Tip

    • Follow apply → wait 10-15 minutes → wipe sequence. Do not skip wiping to avoid tackiness.
    • 30-50mm wide brushes are optimal for bookshelf work. Larger brushes miss details.

    Watch out

    • Failing to wipe off leaves tackiness for over a week. Always wipe.
    • Plywood back panel absorbs quickly and tends to unevenness; apply thinly and wipe carefully.
19. 19

    Second oil stain application

    ≈ 25 min

    After 24-hour drying of first coat, apply a second coat using 1/3 to 1/2 the amount of the first. Wipe off excess as before. Two coats deepen color and improve protection. Fully dry in 24-48 hours.

    Paint

    Watco oil / varnish

    PaintSTEP 19 / 20

    Tip

    • Second coat mostly evens out color irregularities; apply thin and uniformly.
    • Add a third coat if deeper color desired.

    Watch out

    • Do not forget wiping off on second coat; thick coats cause uneven finish.
    • During drying, keep indoors free from dust and insects.
20. 20

    Completion, use start and inspection

    ≈ 15 min

    Allow oil to fully dry for 48 hours before placing books and starting use. Arrange heavy books on lower shelves and lighter books on upper shelves for balance and stability. After one week of use, re-check screw tightness and L-bracket fixation, re-tightening if necessary.

    Done!

    Done — nice work!

    DoneSTEP 20 / 20

    Tip

    • Concentrate heavy books (encyclopedias, etc.) on bottom two shelves; use paperbacks and light books on upper shelves.
    • Reapply oil every 3-5 years to restore shine and protection.

    Watch out

    • Placing books before full drying causes oil to transfer to books. Dry for at least 48 hours.
    • Books absorb moisture; use dehumidifiers during rainy season. Bookshelf may warp from humidity.

Warnings

• ⚠️Drill pilot holes before driving screws to prevent wood splitting.

Find more blueprints in this category or store