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Step 2Dimension the stock
Cut the stock to the desired dimensions. I like to avoid measuring things. Using a measuring tape is exactly what they'll be expecting you to do. You need to cut the following "parts":
- Base in which the dovetail will be cut (1)
- Faces for the bookends (2)
- Guides that fit inside the dovetail and is mounted to the faces (2)
The picture shows the pieces already finished. I forgot to take a picture before I started working on it. I'm not expecting the wood to come with the pins and grooves already in them. That would be a lousy instructable.
Make the base as long as you want, but be aware that the longer it is, the more work you have ahead of you. I'm the lazy sort, so mine was about 17" long. Feel free to imagine an off color joke inserted at this point. The width of the base is about 4 3/4". Of course, unless you cut this from a sequoia, the grain is going to run along the length of the board. This is important, because this grain direction will make light work of the chiseling you'll be doing.
The faces can be made as tall as you desire. Note that if you make them too tall, your upstairs neighbor Mrs. Krakowicz will complain because whenever you adjust the bookends you knock over her knickknacks. Try to make the faces a little wider than the base, though, so you have some wiggle room for error later on and also you can use the extra width for some creativity if you desire.
The guides should be about half as long as the face is tall. This will give the face stability. It doesn't have to be too awful tall. I made mine about 2" tall and 3 1/2" long.
- Base in which the dovetail will be cut (1)
- Faces for the bookends (2)
- Guides that fit inside the dovetail and is mounted to the faces (2)
The picture shows the pieces already finished. I forgot to take a picture before I started working on it. I'm not expecting the wood to come with the pins and grooves already in them. That would be a lousy instructable.
Make the base as long as you want, but be aware that the longer it is, the more work you have ahead of you. I'm the lazy sort, so mine was about 17" long. Feel free to imagine an off color joke inserted at this point. The width of the base is about 4 3/4". Of course, unless you cut this from a sequoia, the grain is going to run along the length of the board. This is important, because this grain direction will make light work of the chiseling you'll be doing.
The faces can be made as tall as you desire. Note that if you make them too tall, your upstairs neighbor Mrs. Krakowicz will complain because whenever you adjust the bookends you knock over her knickknacks. Try to make the faces a little wider than the base, though, so you have some wiggle room for error later on and also you can use the extra width for some creativity if you desire.
The guides should be about half as long as the face is tall. This will give the face stability. It doesn't have to be too awful tall. I made mine about 2" tall and 3 1/2" long.
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