How to Make a BAT-bookshelf

Intro: 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.

Comments

[jae19dad88]

I see in the instructions you said you need a lot of clamps if you have a mirco pin gun from soft wood you dont need the clamps but still need glue

[Dannytf]

if anyone has the AI files please send them to me. [e-mail]

[cocorum]

Hi, I'd like to make this bookshelf. I believe in the comments you used plywood? How heavy was it? I'd like to make something similar but I don't want it to be heavy. Any suggestions ?

[briciius]

HI, if you use plywood the shelf will be very heavy. For the "extrude effect" i use 3 mm medium or MDF. if you want something very light you can try to make it with cardboard :). Cardboard can be very strong ;) and could give a nice natural touch to the shelf :)

[GroodM]

if anyone has the AI files please send them to me. [e-mail]

[lchu123]

Anyone still have the AI file? Is so, please send it to [e-mail]

[nzamora8062]

Are the AI files still available? If so, can someone send it to [e-mail]

[33380]

Can someone send e the AI files thanks [e-mail]

[Giovanni1997]

Can someone send me the AI files thank you [e-mail]

[guinevereg1]

Can someone send me the AI files thank you [e-mail]

[SlowFRs]

Can someone send me the AI files thank you [e-mail]

[JairR8]

Please can someone share the files with me [e-mail].

[Chanel cunningham33]

I want to make this i have anout a week to make it how much time and money would you estimate it to be i have the tools to make it just not the wood

[briciius]

i think you can do it in a week but it will be just ! i don't know the cost of the wood in your country but in mine i've payed 40 or 50 euros for all the wood.

the gluing part take a lot of time so if you can make the cut and the drill step in the same day you can achieve the shelf easily ;)

[Dancindave]

Great tutorial Briciius would you mind sending me the plans for this fantastic shelf as I would like to tackle it for a friend? My email address is [e-mail] thanks Dave

[briciius]

Hi dave.

I've lost the file but if i remember well someone have upload it on internet ... somewhere ....

[KurtH15]

What kind of wood did u use for frame? How did u get pine wood in that width?

[briciius]

hi !, in my instructable i use pine wood. in my french store i can find that kind of wood plank : 2000x1000x18 mm easily but if i a have to make a new shelf today i will change the pine wood for PLYWOOD witch is more resistant !

you can find it anywhere, choose the size and the witdh

[StuartP22]

Would someone like to share plans for batman book shelf please. [e-mail]

[DiegoV9]

thank you for this great diy mr briciius