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Home Library Build (Pic Heavy)

28,206 Views | 164 Replies | Last: 1 yr ago by BenTheGoodAg
Chipotlemonger
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Didn't know this was all happening around Amarillo. Awesome!
BenTheGoodAg
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Before I go cut up, stain, route, etc. all the oak, I wanted to get an idea of what it would look like with various trim sizes and shapes. I took some scrap plywood and mocked up some trim to get the sizes right and try out a few configurations. I feel like I've landed on what think I want, but I'd be interested in some thoughts, and may wait a week or so before cutting up the oak.

I'm sort of using this column detail in my entry-way as inspiration and to help tie-in to the home. I like the way the baseboard terminates into the column base and think this method really will help the look on the top of the shelves. Wrapping around the column trim would be very hard with the ceiling angle.


I started with a wider column and worked my way back an 1/8" at a time until I found what I think was the right width for my columns. I hadn't changed with width of the base of the column, but I think I need to make it flush like in the entryway. I also haven't fluted the trim yet, but just to get the visual of the width:



We played around with a few different trim/moulding samples. The oak is just slightly thicker than the plywood. Anyone like this dentil trim at all?


But in the end, I personally think matching the bottom and top trim (which also matches the door frame where you walk in) looks the best.


And here's a good look at the overall effect. I like it.
Aggietaco
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I'd skip the dentil moulding unless you have it elsewhere (and then I might still skip it).
BenTheGoodAg
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Good.
PabloSerna
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crown moulding at the top is your friend
dubi
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Aggietaco said:

I'd skip the dentil moulding unless you have it elsewhere (and then I might still skip it).
I agree to skip the moulding.
BenTheGoodAg
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PabloSerna said:

crown moulding at the top is your friend


I looked at a few options for crown and I'm not sure there's a good way to make it work with the top of the column feature at against the angle. Maybe someone smarter than me knows how to cut it and make it wrap right, but I don't think it's really achievable with modifying something else.
BenTheGoodAg
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dubi said:

Aggietaco said:

I'd skip the dentil moulding unless you have it elsewhere (and then I might still skip it).
I agree to skip the moulding.


I wasn't much a fan of the dentil, but wanted to give it a fair shake. Are you saying no trim? I think it's pretty harsh with nothing up there?
dubi
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Quote:

I wasn't much a fan of the dentil, but wanted to give it a fair shake. Are you saying no trim? I think it's pretty harsh with nothing up there?
I think what you did is gorgeous. So either a small decorative trim at the top or nothing at all.
BigJim49 AustinNowDallas
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How many books ? What kinds? (asking for a book collector friend)
BigJim49AustinnowDallas
BenTheGoodAg
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Cool, thanks!
BenTheGoodAg
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We're pushing 1,200 already, but I think you could store 2,500 based on a rough guess. Most of them aren't collectible. We've just got a big young family and read a lot and keep a lot of curriculum for homeschooling.

What's nice about this space is easy access to the kitchen, so it would make a nice pantry for someone in the future if they didn't want to store books there.
BenTheGoodAg
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Got a good amount of staining done today. Will work on poly over the next couple of days.

BenTheGoodAg
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Labor Day Weekend progress:

- Got all the light trim installed on all four fixtures. Overall, works about as well as I could have hoped. I think we'll be able to read all the spines. The front two lights using R16 lamps works really well to eliminate the direct glare. It's not an art gallery, but I'm happy with it.
- Installed the trim that I'd gotten stained, as well as the adjustable shelves all in place. Starting to really come together:


- Got the remainder of the face trim cut up. I've got one more board to cut up, and I need to get a few sticks of baseboard trim, but this is about all I have left to go. I need to flute the face trim - still working out a jig in my head.


Getting close. Hope y'all enjoyed a nice day off!
BenTheGoodAg
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A nice update on the trim.

I spent my evenings working on the fluting jig. It took me several attempts to find the right spacing & depth, but I finally got it. Here's the detail I was going for:


Here's the jig I set up to make these. For the most part, it worked really well, but I had to screw and unscrew parts a lot.


Got up early and started working on the whole batch. Took a lot of time, but I think it was worth it. It's a very nice detail:


It took me some time to figure out how best not to burn the ends of the fluting. In the open, with that small bit, you can turn the speed up pretty high on the router, but it burns easily at the ends, so I ended up going as slow as I could, but had to move quickly at the ends. Did three passes per line. I had a few burn marks, and one spot where I didn't keep it tight against my fence as I needed to. It's very hard to get the burn marks 100% clean with them being the shape that they are, but I think they turned out really nice overall..
txag2008
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Looks great, you pulled it off. Well done
BenTheGoodAg
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Thanks! I was kinda sweating this step if I'm being honest.

Anyone wanna guess how many batteries I went through?
Sea Speed
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12
BenTheGoodAg
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I'm sure it would have been if I was using small batteries. I went through at least six 4Ah batteries.
dubi
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BenTheGoodAg said:

A nice update on the trim.

I spent my evenings working on the fluting jig. It took me several attempts to find the right spacing & depth, but I finally got it. Here's the detail I was going for:


Here's the jig I set up to make these. For the most part, it worked really well, but I had to screw and unscrew parts a lot.


Got up early and started working on the whole batch. Took a lot of time, but I think it was worth it. It's a very nice detail:


It took me some time to figure out how best not to burn the ends of the fluting. In the open, with that small bit, you can turn the speed up pretty high on the router, but it burns easily at the ends, so I ended up going as slow as I could, but had to move quickly at the ends. Did three passes per line. I had a few burn marks, and one spot where I didn't keep it tight against my fence as I needed to. It's very hard to get the burn marks 100% clean with them being the shape that they are, but I think they turned out really nice overall..


I live it!
BenTheGoodAg
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Earlier this week, I finished staining and attached the face trim. Last night, I was able to grout the tile. None of the baseboards or ceiling trim have been attached, but it's really coming together.

Wanted to share my costs:
  • Wood - $1750
  • Tile/Grout/Thinset - $500
  • Shelf Tracks - $350
  • Electrical/lights - $375
  • Tools (Grout mixer, Router Bits, Gauges, Kneepads, etc) - $655
  • Screws/Nails - $100
  • Stain/Poly/Paint - $375
  • Drywall - $100
  • Other Consumables (shims, sandpaper, caulk)): $110

Total: $4250

I estimate $3,250, but I'm pretty happy with that.

I had a couple of contractors from our church share with me what it might cost for a turnkey project - one said at least $15k, but probably higher. Another said higher than $20k, maybe even as high as $25k. But these were quick, off the cuff guesses. I would have said these were super-high before, but given the level of effort it has taken, I'm more inclined to believe it.
BenTheGoodAg
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And here's a pic of the trim in place, without the blocks or the top trim:



You can also see this is the box that was unusually shaped due to the electrical boxes on the wall behind them.

Almost there!
dubi
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The fluted trim look amazing! Very well done!
UnderoosAg
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BenTheGoodAg said:

A nice update on the trim.

I spent my evenings working on the fluting jig. It took me several attempts to find the right spacing & depth, but I finally got it. Here's the detail I was going for:


Here's the jig I set up to make these. For the most part, it worked really well, but I had to screw and unscrew parts a lot.


Got up early and started working on the whole batch. Took a lot of time, but I think it was worth it. It's a very nice detail:


It took me some time to figure out how best not to burn the ends of the fluting. In the open, with that small bit, you can turn the speed up pretty high on the router, but it burns easily at the ends, so I ended up going as slow as I could, but had to move quickly at the ends. Did three passes per line. I had a few burn marks, and one spot where I didn't keep it tight against my fence as I needed to. It's very hard to get the burn marks 100% clean with them being the shape that they are, but I think they turned out really nice overall..



I saw the pic and immediately thought, how the hell did he do that without burning the wood. Dude's a master. Then I kept reading. Looks damn good!
BenTheGoodAg
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UnderoosAg said:

I saw the pic and immediately thought, how the hell did he do that without burning the wood. Dude's a master. Then I kept reading. Looks damn good!
Haha, thanks! If you know, you know, I think you can see a light burn mark in that photo if you zoom in on the far right line.

I was surprised, but the stain actually masked that better than I expected it to. I'm guessing since you create some open end grains there, it soaks up the stain a little bit, whereas on a burned roundover or similar profile, you're still running parallel with the existing cut of the fibers.

Either way, to your point, I was damn pleased with that result!
BenTheGoodAg
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Thanks dubi!
BenTheGoodAg
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So...



fka ftc
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Is it me, or does it look like a slightly different finish on the wood tile between the closet and the main room?

Kidding, looks great and congrats on a fantastic job creating an awesome space for the family.

And thanks for sharing as well.
BenTheGoodAg
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jograki
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Wow! It looks amazing, and it perfectly matches inside and out. Way to go and thank you for letting us follow along on your journey.
BenTheGoodAg
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Just a couple of items left:
- Need to paint the ceiling
- Need to fill the nail holes with putty.

Here's a couple of photos from different angles to share:


I probably would have done the back shelves slightly different if I had thought about this detail a little more ahead of time, but I'm really happy with how this turned out.


Lighting looks really good. From eye level, you can't see the bulbs at the end of the closet. What you are seeing is reflection off the trim, which saturates the camera. Overall, a great walking space - we were worried that it might a little tight, but it really isn't.


I'll knock those items out, we'll get it loaded up with books, and I'll share a few more pictures. Any questions, ask away!

Thanks for all the comments, suggestions, and interest!
fka ftc
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Will the card catalog be physical or digital?

But serious, to confirm you did the texture yourself, correct? Looks good.

And do you have to stain after puttying the nail holes?
BenTheGoodAg
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Haha - my wife actually already has a digital catalogue. She has always struggled to find the books without it. Almost every piece of wood in here has a label for which stud bay it was assigned to so I kept them straight during installation, and I think she'll adopt my nomenclature.

Thanks! I did the texture myself. There are a few spots that I think need just a little dabble after getting the lights in, but happy with it.

The putties I use don't need to be stained, but I do have to use a few different colors I use depending on if I'm filling in the grain or not. I use a couple of methods for post-installed nails and they match really well for me. (Wood Putty, Blend-Fil Pencil). Since I had to stain and then nail together in place, I didn't have many places I used the wood-filler that you fill & sand before staining. All of the adjustable shelves used the above pre-colored putty and I bet you can't see them in these pictures.
GrandStand93
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Wow, that looks great!

But you're doing it wrong. You're supposed to have like 3-4 projects started until your wife gets fed up enough that she calls a carpenter to come finish one of them for you. Seriously, though, how much time did this take?
BenTheGoodAg
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GrandStand93 said:

Seriously, though, how much time did this take?
Thanks!

It'd be hard to say... well over a hundred hours at least. Just an example, staining and applying poly was at least 40 hours. All of it was wipe on/off. Wiping poly is a good way to do something like this with complex geometries, but takes more passes due to more solvent. So I did 5 passes of poly. Worth it, but time consuming. Another example - just fluting the trim took well over 10 hours. Figuring out the jig took a couple of hours a night a few nights in a week, between practice, some math, trying again with a different spacing, etc, and then 6 hours of work once I got going on the actual oak. That was just for 12 pieces of wood.

I enjoy almost all of it, but it's a lot of work for one person, and I'm not going to be as efficient as professionals who do this every day. Most people don't enjoy that kind of time-intensive, detail-oriented, work.
 
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