Alcove Bookcase Secrets!
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- Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
- Im back at the job I filmed when I discussed my ‘secrets of alcove construction’, to change the position of a shelf. It means taking the bookcase down so it seemed a good opportunity for a video to test how strong the construction methods are and to show you in reverse how we assemble them!
If this video helps you please support future content by donating at www.buymeacoff... thanks!
A man who makes no mistakes makes nothing.
Love your work and your total honesty .
Thank you Alastair your channel is the best by far on this subject and your honesty and integrity shines through ,top man👌
Thanks so much I appreciate that!
It really refreashing of you to share your mistake as we all make them. Yesterday whist fitting the feet to a hardwood jewelry box / mirror I drilled right through the base.
Oh no I bet your heart sank!
Wow. Great stuff and your honesty again.
I wanted to say it always surprises me how focused and determined I can be knowing I could be saving hours being meticulous and careful. And remember to breath.
A very honest appraisal of a slight mistake. Having made traditional furniture for the best part of 40 years and then moved onto very similar types of fitments as yourself in the last 5 years, I appreciate the problems that arise. We to have had to remove units that were mis measured or designed wrongly so I know how you feel when having to go back. At the time of the issues you feel its only your own company that has problems, however when you are at sites where there is multi trades you soon realise that we all have problems. I was once told many years ago anyone can make a mistake, but not everyone can put it right.
Well said! This weekend I am doing a bit of work for a TV show makeover reveal, I am just brought in at the end of the renovation to do some final bits. Everything was on track until I went to fit some fancy replacement glass in a door, that someone else had measured and ordered; only to discover it had been cut 30mm too small in both directions! And it was a £450 panel of specially etched and laminated glass. I had to make it work, and managed to do so by reducing the opening in a way that looked like a nice feature. But I did feel somehow encouraged that others make mistakes too!
Great work ,I like that you admit to mistakes we all make them ,my dad always said a good joiner knows how to get over them ,looks great
"I dream of the day mistakes don't happen" I think we're all dreaming of that day Alastair, unfortunately being human means that's always out of reach! Another great video, the games table looks fantastic by the way, hope it turns into a great product for you 👍👍👍
Thanks Andrew 🙏
I love how honest you are. It's great to see how you overcome some of little setbacks.
Does your top rail sit further forward than the 2 side scribes. As there is a piece pre fitted before the top rail went back on
Hi Dan: 18x56mm top strip fitted right across the top (unprofiled). Similar dimensions side scribes butted up underneath it (profiled inner edges). Cornice (usually an ogee profile architrave basically) fitted across the face of the top strip. I just couldn’t pull the backer strip off the glue to the unit so left it on!
Really pleased to have discovered your channel. I'm making my own alcove cupboard and shelves at the moment and your tips have been invaluable. The quality and attention to detail in your work is exemplary. Inspiring stuff - thank you.
I’m glad it’s helped you and thanks for letting me know!
How are the shelves looking, Spence?
For anyone else building their own alcove cabinets I have made available my blueprints, for anyone who signs up as a monthly supporter of the channel at www.buymeacoffee.com/freebird. Preview of the pdf download here: instagram.com/p/B4qKiopA2Hj/?igshid=1cvbmm75lpmdg
I start an install tomorrow, let's see what happens! Great vid, and enjoyed the detail of your build.
Nic Harvey I hope it goes well!
Nic Harvey I just checked your Instagram - no finished photos of the climbing wall?
@@Alastair_Freebird that's because it's still being installed but not by me. I have seen a half way shot and it looks great. I will send you a pic once the boys have finished.
Nic Harvey I look forward to seeing it!
Hi Alistair, it was painful watching you take apart your good work, nothing worse than spending time getting it just perfect and having to take it apart, especially a paint finish. And all for a few cooking books !!! I bet if you go back to visit all the books on that shelf are a lot smaller than the adjustment you made .
Anyhow another great video and looked good by the time you were finished 👍🏻
lockystocky1 thanks for the kind words!
I always enjoy your videos mate! Nice fix to the situation!
Another great video, hope you lad is doing ok...
simon clayton he came back home yesterday. He is a happy little chappy despite it all!
Nice job fixing it up.
Stuart Cairnie thanks!
Another great video 👍 👍
Thanks Jack 🙏
Ah - the joys of document control...happens to all of us! How did you fix it in the end?
Forgive me but I need reminding about what this comment refers to!
@@Alastair_Freebird Apologies for not being clearer. I was referring to the start of your film where you mention about the shelf being installed as per an older copy of the drawings.I used to write policy docs and it could get very confusing when there were a few different versions knocking around!
There great those space plugs! Just used some on an alcove build myself. Much quicker than packers 😊
Nice recovery. Can I ask what the name of the orange spacers that you use between the cabinet side & walls are called? Love to find a source for them.
Mark Aramaki space plugs! www.screwfix.com/p/space-plug-kitchen-cabinet-space-plugs-regular-30-50-x-2-x-30mm-10-pack/6085H?kpid=6085H&ds_kid=92700024762948872&ds_rl=1241687&ds_rl=1245250&ds_rl=1249413&ds_rl=1249481&ds_rl=1245250&gclid=CjwKEAjwlujnBRDl2teOp_veulQSJAC5bHgt8czyAtI9AOxSBzuW-LuTUIEO4DwxBHrV0-5iw8uBlRoCWLrw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
👍
What a ball ache! Pity it wasn't an adjustable shelving unit. Best of luck with everything and the tables too Alistair.
Regards, Scott.
SA Martin this might be controversial but I never do these types of unit with adjustable shelf pins. My view is that if you design the spacing to suit the customer’s needs they are unlikely ever to change it, and it’s a bespoke design so it should be thought through to that level of detail and it looks better without the holes. Also the shelves are more likely to sag if only sat on pins.
@@Alastair_Freebird 100% agree with this comment!! Its looks like IKEA with all the holes!! 😂
@@jackfinnerty7891If you are doing adjustable shelving then it needs to be done right. Shelf holes should have sleeves that give the piece that little bit more sophistication. It definitely doesn't make it look, Ikea.
@@paulgray3231 yes I know what u are talking about... maybe IKEA was an exaggeration!! That said I often don't think the ones u are on about are all that much better in some cases because although they may look better and more professional they also highlight themselves a lot more!!
hi, love your honesty !!! ps at 7 min( and various other parts of the trim sides and bottom) what is that bonding substance you used please? its weird it came off the paint like that and yet it has a good bonding.
Christopher Claudio Skierka hi I think on this project I was using Pinkgrip
@@Alastair_Freebird thank you for your time in answering my question.
Recovered nicely. What if the customer insisted that it wasn’t repaired and the side strips replaced as one length?
James Robinson then we would have discussed it but gone ahead and done it if customer insisted. But to be honest I used to volunteer for extra work a lot more readily than I do now; sometimes the idea of the right way to do something is more theoretical than necessary, and sometimes you just have to get the job done and there are things you don’t necessarily have to raise with the customer if the end result is fine, because completing things efficiently is also a benefit to the customer. I once drilled the handle holes in wrong place in some sprayed mdf doors, I told the customer I would take them back to workshop, fill them with 2 part filler and respray them. Customer was at first keen that I should remake the doors but as I explained to him we’d already used 2 part filler in the construction of the doors (5 piece shaker) to get a perfectly smooth finish with no visible joints - is true use of that filler was part of achieving a better finish and I knew it would make the mistakes invisible for respray. I genuinely felt there was no downside in quality in the finished result of filled and resprayed doors, it was more the psychological knowing that a mistake had been hidden. I guess I can understand that however there’s only so much cost you can afford to absorb in this line of work, you have to make a living and sometimes there’s an element of compromise.
What paint did you use for the touch up and how did you apply it ? Secondly is there any reason why you didn't scribe to the ceiling ? Looks absolutely fantastic 👌
Hi Peter we swear by the AT99 sayerlack paint supplies in the UK by Movac. I have talked about it in some precious videos, including this one where I describe our progression from Leyland painted applied by roller, to spraying Movac waterbased products. ua-cam.com/video/QjdIoW0rD3o/v-deo.html
I advised the customer against us scribing to the ceiling because I’ve often had cracking caulk lines there once the units settle with the weight of books. However there are ways around this and I’m slightly regretting not closing that gap! Discussed it a little in the comments in the previous video in the series ua-cam.com/video/6jaom-K1pjI/v-deo.html
Hello. Do you think it’s necessary to use 2.5cm thick MDF for a bookcase ? Can 1.8cm be good enough ?
We mostly use 22mm for all shelves these days. 18mm can be ok if not too wide, and good quality MR MDF
Nice work - what MDF do you use for the carcass? MR and what size?
At the time of this video we were still using Medite MR MDF. This was the best available to me after testing a few boards (In terms of strength, and reduced grain raising when painting with water based paints). 18mm for outer carcase. 22mm for shelves (I might have been using 25mm at the time). Since then we discovered the 'Fibrapan Hidrofugo' MDF by Finsa. It was hard to get hold of, with very few timber merchants stocking it. But I got hold of a sample and the quality of the board was another level up from the Medite. Together with other woodworkers on Instagram we worked with Finsa to raise awareness of the board and it is now much more widely available. That's the only MDF I use now
@@Alastair_Freebird thank you! Is ply recommended for shelves with a covered lip? What hinges do you use and recommend?
@@LondonStuff. I have tried many hinges and decided to stick with blum. This decision is based on quality, availability, and range. However I consider the Hettich Sensys hinges to be the best quality soft close hinge on the market. I would use the same high quality MDF for lippings too. Birch ply is harder to finish to the same smooth standard. Even if you sand it's edges glass smooth then paint them, over time the layered ply look 'telegraphs' through the finish
@@LondonStuff. I see no reason to use birch ply for painted parts like this, because it is now 2 to 3 times more expensive even than the finsa hidrofugo mdf, and takes more work to get such a flat sprayed finish, though you may prefer to use it
Hi mate another good video .. you have a new subscriber, can I ask what two part filler you use and where do you get those screws you were using on the shelving? Thanks bud
Hi, I think this is the filler we’ve been using: www.blum.org.uk/?page=_searchresults&srchstr=2+part+filler
Was it the confirmat screws that I talked about in this vid? They are a hafele product, code 26437196, I also buy them via Hart wholesale (Blum.org)
See this article I wrote about the screws we use for lots more info you may find useful: www.buymeacoffee.com/Freebird/screws-mdf-3-types-use
Hi. Really enjoyed the video. What size confirmat screws and drill do you use? Where can they be purchased? Many thanks.
Chris Scott size 2, 50mm long. Direct from Hafele or resellers such as Hart Wholesale, Issac Lord, many others on line.
www.hafele.co.uk/en/product/one-piece-connector-with-8-mm-head-for-4-mm-drill-hole-confirmat/26437196/?MasterSKU=000000000000ff2a00010023
I love your honesty
But I would have cut that shelf out with a jigsaw missing the screws on either side them fit a new shelf . Kreg it from underside . You’ve done it the correct way really .
where can the orange spacers between the wall and cabinet be purchased?
Search for ‘space plugs’. In the Uk you can find them at toolstation and other retailers, but buying them on Amazon actually gives the independent maker the best margin 👍
Hi Alistair. Can you put a link to the stepped drill bit for the conformat screws you use. Also can you post a plan or a photo with dimensions of the 3D straightening jig that you use (I've seen it in another video of yours). Finally I am also curious which router bit did you use for the eges on the shelves.
Darko Serafimovski hey, this is the one - ridiculously expensive www.hafele.co.uk/en/product/drill-bit-for-confirmat-one-piece-connector/00122467/?MasterSKU=0000002e000212b800010023&CategoryID=6FLAqBtGPosAAAFPHMI4lnbm
I don’t have a plan of the 3D shelf assembly jig but I think you could figure something out 😁
2mm arris rounding cutter from Wealden tools www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Arris-Trimmer.html#aT8353B_2d8
hello Alastair, may I ask you, what are those shelves made from ? thanks :)
Hi yes it’s moisture resistant mdf, 22mm thick. Medite brand at the time of this project but more recently we use Finsa (denser)
@@Alastair_Freebird Ahh okay, ps would you use this mrmdf for adjustable bookcase shelves ( the upright sides so 5mm holes would be drilled and those shelf pins used in them) ? I seem to think that after a while the mrmdf would give way and BANG shelf drops or is it more stronger than I give it credit for?
Hi bud, number your drawings!! All the best.
Morgan Platt you mean like architects?