How to Make a Bookcase With Hand Tools

Plan your bookcase and decide what type of wood you want to use for the planking. There is a range of dark and light colored wood types to choose from based on whether you are going to use natural color or stain it. Measure for your bookcase and use those measurements to order the material. Tack on an additional 15 percent for accidents and waste, such as when you make a cut a little too short and need to make another one, leading to waste.

Build the frame. Measure for the two sides on a piece of 2-by-6-inch wood. Mark the pieces with a pencil, square and tape measure. Cut the wood along those marks using the hand saw. Cut the top and bottom pieces using the same methods. Rough-assemble the frame on the floor, apply wood glue between the connections and nail the pieces together to form a rectangle.

Make the shelves. Measure the interior space from inside wall to inside wall within the bookcase frame. Mark that measurement on your remaining planking and cut it to fit. Repeat that process for each additional shelf you want to include. Nail them in place after you apply the wood glue.

Add on the back of the bookcase. Measure a piece of plywood and use the chalk line to snap a line across the piece of plywood. Cut it with the handsaw. Apply your wood glue to the backside of your frame while it is still lying on the ground. Set the piece of plywood on and nail it in place. Stand the bookshelf up and place it in your preferred position, as it is ready when the last nail goes in.