July 2, 20223 yr I have several live edge 1″ thick eastern cedar planks approx 6 feet long. My plan is to use some other cedar for the uprights and use 5″ dowels to connect a five shelf book case. My plans would make the unit approx 5 feet tall. I am concerned about stability. Do you think I will need to have some kind of bracing across the back side?
July 2, 20223 yr A lot depends on the depth of the shelves but my initial answer would be, maybe. My only concern would be that the unit could twist and rack.
July 2, 20223 yr Not all bookshelves are for books. 1" thick at 6' long will probably sag under the weight of books without some sort of support across the span.
July 2, 20223 yr A 1X2 (nominal) under each shelf at the back and, and a similar piece across the front face of the shelves, should offer enough support. If not, a vertical 1X2 spanning all shelves and, the top and bottom boards, in the middle would help. Those lateral1X2s should address Ron's racking concerns.
July 2, 20223 yr I'd think ten tight dados within the verticals with good glue will make you as sturdy a bookshelf as you need. A stout very low shelf, maybe with the 1x2 across the back under the bottom shelf, level with the floor, loaded with extra-heavy tomes, will add stability.
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