Re: How to build a DVD rack
Hello glockman,
Welcome to the community.
When I read your question all kind s of ideas came to mind. I’ve done woodworking for over 30 years so I’ve made many different shelving units in my day. Depending on your experience and the tools that you have accessible to you will decide on how you construct your shelving unit. I will try and give you a couple of options.
There are a few different options for the material that you can use. You can use plywood, solid wood or medium density fiberboard (MDF). I prefer to use plywood and solid wood together. MDF will give you a really smooth finish and a great looking product but it is very heavy and it’s not as durable as plywood in the long run. I use plywood for the box component and then I build a face frame with the solid wood. With this construction the unit appears to be built out of all solid wood.
You could get away with as little as a hammer, circular saw, and clamps. Supplies needed: Wood, glue, pencil, nails, wood putty, and stain/paint. But the end project will not be as strong and may not look as nice.
The tools that I would use to build the unit are: Table saw, router, biscuit jointer, nail gun, carpenters square, pencil, and clamps. Supplies needed: plywood, solid wood, glue, biscuits, nails, wood putty, and stain.
First design the unit that you want to build so you can make your material list.
Things to remember: The style of joint you’re using will affect the length of your pieces. So you have to figure that out prior to making your cut list. Plywood is sold in 4’ x 8’ sheets. (The less waste the better.) Make sure you add in the thickness of each shelf when you are figuring out the height of each opening. Can you tell I’ve made a few mistakes in the beginning?
Here are some joint options. Dado joint, doweled butt joint, butt joint, end rabbit joint or biscuit joint. I normally use a dodo joint for the shelves, end rabbit joint for the corners and biscuit joints to build and attach the face frame to the box. I feel it’s the strongest.
Once you have done all of the important stuff now it’s time for the fun stuff.
Cut all of your pieces to size. Mark your side pieces where you want your shelves to go and then clamp them together edge to edge with the inside faces both facing up. This will perfectly line up your dados for your shelves. Clamp a guild board across them so that you can run your router along it for a straight dado. You should make a few shallow cuts to get to the depth that you need. Not one deep cut. If you’re using ¾” plywood then I would use a ¼” deep dado for the shelves and ½” deep end rabbit joint for the top and bottom.
Once you get all of the dadoes and rabbit joints cut it time to assemble the box. Always do a dry fit prior to gluing and nailing. If it all fits good then glue away.
While that is setting up it’s time to make the face frame. I use 1” x 2” solid wood. The overall outside dimension will be the same as the box. The only thing that you have to decide with the frame is if you want it to be centered on the shelves or if you want it to be flush with the top of them. The difference being if it’s centered you will have a lip that is higher than the shelf and if it’s flush well you won’t have a lip. I prefer to center it so that if you’re off a hair it won’t show. I’ve done it both ways it just depends on your preference.
The one trick that I use is to tape the outside pieces together and put a piece of masking tape on the side pieces so you can mark where the cross pieces go. Set it on top of the box and make your marks for the placement and for either dowels or biscuits. Take the tape off that is holding the outside pieces and cut your biscuit slots or drill for your dowels. Dry fit it and then glue it together. Once everything is dry you can attach the face frame to the box. I use biscuits to keep the face frame aligned with the box when I glue them together.
Now you’re ready to sand and apply whatever finish you’re going to use.
I apologize if I was not clear on any step. It’s difficult to explain it in a way for every experience level.
Please let me know if I can clarify anything for you.
Once you complete your DVD unit post a picture. I would love to see it.
As always be safe and have fun with everything you do.
