Poplar Bookcase

This bookcase, made entirely of poplar, is 6′ long, 4’5″ tall, and 9″ deep.

It is my own original design, made to fit a space in a home office where it would live!


I selected lumber that would show off the poplar’s pretty graining and variations in color! I then worked with the customer to select placement of individual pieces to highlight color and grain patterns.


I completed all of the joinery with hand tools, some new and some vintage.

Cutting a stopped dado with chisels and a router plane.

The Stanley 45 Combination Plane makes quick work of rabbets and full dados.

Dovetails on the top corners!

Joinery on the pieces for the bottom supports.

Assembly took a lot of clamps and ratchet straps! I used shop-made glue to hold everything together.


After assembly, I finished the bookcase with two coats of pure linseed oil and two coats of shop-made soft wax. This brings out the wood grain and gives a soft, satin appearance.


Learn more about the Poplar Bookcase on my YouTube Channel!


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