How to Make a BAT-bookshelf

if you want to make this awesome DC comics inspired bookshelf you will need some stuff :

2 pine wood panel size 180 cm x 70 cm

jigsaw - drill - wood glue - sand paper and a lot of clamp !!!!

Step 1: Trace the Plan of the Bookshelf.

as always i use illustrator to trace the plan.

If you want the AI files, feel free to ask ;)

When the plan is trace, you can print it on A4 paper sheet, you just have to select the right option in the print windows. just like my screenshot.

When all sheets are print, you have to use tape to tape the sheet together.

Then cut the BAT-plan. and draw it on the wood panel.

See you on step 2, there is a lot to do ;)

Step 2: Cut the Wood Panels

I cut the 2 wood panels in the same time. i've screwed them together to avoid movements.

You need a powerful jigsaw : 650 watt is good ;) because you are cutting 36 mm of wood.

Once you finish the first cut, you have to make a wood guider to trace the interior of the shape.

Before start the second cutting we have to drill some hole.

For what ?

the objective is to make a strong wood skeleton and then bend fine wood on it. So what we have cut is the architecture. now we drill some hole to glue the "bones" of the skeleton on it. i hope this is understandable.

When the drill step is done, you can scoop out the BATMAN wood shape.

see you on step 3 for the assembly of the wood skeleton.

Step 3: Wood Skeleton First Assembly

at this moment you have to define the depth of your bookshelf.

I choose 25 cm for the depth. so i cut pieces of 25 cm in the wooden sticks.

you can strengthen the structure with wooden parts harder to avoid eventual breakage at sensitive locations.before gluing the parts together. see you on step 4 for this

Step 4: Glue All Parts Together.

when you gluing the wood sticks on the wood skeleton, use a set square to be sure the sticks are right glued.

let the glue dry for 24h00 and the wood structure is now done.

Bravo ! ;)

next step, 3 mm thickness medium bending.

Step 5: Wood Bending

WARNING for this step you will need a lot of clamp...

when i've started this project, i was thinking use a wood called "ISOREL" it's a very easy bending wood. but my store do not sell it anymore :( so i've taken a 3 mm MDF wood panel.
the MDF is more rigid than the isorel. to make the bending easier, i cut some line in the wood sheet.

the result is just magical !!

to take the measures, just use a sewing meter

the meter ribbon will fit the curves of the wood for accurate measurements

to make the jonction between the different part, i use my finger to make a wood glue joint

Step 6: Make the Square for Wall Fixation

to attach the shelf to the wall I'll use a simple square system. 2 brackets will be fixed to the wall. The shelf is simply placed on it. the brackets will also serve as rest book.

there is not specific explanation or advice, just make a solid square.

just need to have your angle as wide as the library so that it does not repose on the bentwood

Step 7: SANDING

Once all the wood parts are bended and glued, we have to sand the edges

To doing that i use a grinder with sand-disk and a oscillating sander.

When all all edges are sanded, i try the wall fixation.

It work perfectly !

See you at the last step : finish and decorating

Step 8: Finish and Decorating

you have 3 choices :

1 - Do nothing and keep the natural/wood aspect.

2 - paint the bookshelf with the color you want - rusted effect - vintage color, you are totally free !

3 - use Comics pages and glue them to decorate the exterior of the bookshelf.

you can use differents glues : Wallpaper glue - Wood glue - and PVA glue.

Once this is done, you just have to varnish all the bookshelf.

I decided to glue comics page only on the edges of the bookshelf.

I use a glue call PVA.

When the glue is dry, i cut the paper with a cutter and then i sand the edge to get a smooth effect.

Step 9: Place Your Bookshelf and Your Comics Book

And voilà.