So here’s the completed Book Rack; the first prototype. Actually, it was finished a while back. I’ve learned a lot about using the templates as well as my workflow. Successful experiment and modifications are dimple with this design.

While looking through the projects in the book Advanced Projects in Woodwork ©1912 by Ira S. Griffith I decided to make this project:

Plate 6 — Arts & Crafts Book Rack

So, being a computer nerd more than a woodworker, I made a model of the project in Trimble Sketchup to understand the project and be sure all the parts fit together correctly. Here’s an image of the model:

Arts & Crafts style Book Rack

Once I had the model completed I started making construction drawings in Trimble Layout; it’s included with my copy of Sketchup:

Construction Drawings Exploded View

Construction Drawings Dimensional View

Problem is, the construction drawings freaked me out a little bit. Blind dado joints used in conjunction with through, keyed tenons! Wow! I needed a way to make precision cuts without a CNC machine. I need a jig! Trouble is, it also requires a lot of precision to make jigs. So, summoning my computer nerdery, I headed to Ponoko and downloaded their Adobe Illustrator templates.

In Sketchup I exported the pieces I needed jigs for into .eps files so I could use them in Illustrator and upload them to Ponoko to have laser cut jigs made:

Book Rack jig 1 of 2

So, I used Ponoko to manufacture my jigs and I sourced the Quarter Sawn White Oak from Clark’s Hardwood in The Heights (Houston). Now, all I have to do is actually manufacture the piece. If this works, I should be able to reproduce the piece consistently from now forward.

If someone sees the piece and wants me to make one for them, I’ll be able to produce them again and again.