Build guideBeginner
Build a 900 mm wide, 1800 mm high, 300 mm deep open bookshelf from oak-veneered plywood panels. This guide covers inventory checks, optional lighting preparation, carcass assembly, back fitting, wall restraint, and final inspection.
Shopping list
Take it to the timber merchant and the hardware store. Quantities come straight from the plan.
Most merchants cut panels to a list for a small fee. Ask for a clean cut on the veneer side.
Cut list
Every panel with its finished size. Hand the list to your merchant, or follow the layouts if you cut it yourself.
| Part | Name | Qty | Length | Width | Thickness | Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P01 | Left side | 1 | 1,800 | 293.5 | 18 | Oak-veneered plywood |
| P02 | Right side | 1 | 1,800 | 293.5 | 18 | Oak-veneered plywood |
| P03 | Bottom | 1 | 864 | 293.5 | 18 | Oak-veneered plywood |
| P04 | Fixed shelf | 3 | 864 | 293.5 | 24 | Oak-veneered plywood |
| P05 | Top | 1 | 864 | 293.5 | 18 | Oak-veneered plywood |
| P06 | Full back | 1 | 1,800 | 900 | 6.5 | Oak-veneered plywood |
Download the cut list (CSV)Sizes in millimetres, length along the grain.
Drilling
Measured from the bottom and the front of each face, in millimetres. Mark them with a square, then drill straight.
Step by step
Scroll and the model builds with you. Each step ends with a check: don’t move on until it’s true.
Check eight labeled pre-drilled panels: two sides 18 x 293.5 x 1800, three shelves 864 x 293.5 x 24, top/bottom 864 x 293.5 x 18, and back 900 x 6.5 x 1800 mm. Count 20 SPAX 4 x 40 and 15 SPAX 3.5 x 20 T20 screws. For lighting, check four 845 mm Domus Line AT6 ULTRA lights and accessories.
All labeled parts and screw counts match.
TipThe floor-contact bottom has no light or cable route.
Confirm WISA-Birch standard cross-laminated core UPM007CPR, not UPM008CPR. Check minimum thicknesses: shelves 22.9 mm, top/bottom and sides 17.1 mm, back 6.1 mm. Keep the oak surface finish separate from structural strength.
Core type and minimum thicknesses are confirmed.
TipShelf face grain runs along the 864 mm span.
Check firstDelivered layup, thickness, and finishing process must be verified before manufacture.
Treat each shelf as planned for 30 kg of uniformly distributed books in a dry interior. Do not assume equal screw sharing, back support, or clamped ends. Keep each shelf end group to two screws as designed.
All shelves remain unloaded.
TipEffective shelf depth after machining is 260 mm.
Check firstConnection tests, racking evidence, and site restraint evidence are still required; keep shelves unloaded until approved.
With a helper, lay the left side on a padded bench with its inside face upward. Point all marked front edges the same way. Arrange blocks and clamps to hold perpendicular panels while outside screw entries stay accessible.
The left side is stable and accessible.
TipPad the bench to protect the oak veneer.
Bring the labeled bottom edge to the matching pre-drilled holes in the left side. Keep front edges flush; support the free end and clamp square. Drive two SPAX 4 x 40 T20 screws slowly into the conical seats, leaving them loose for squaring.
The bottom is clamped flush and square.
TipKeep 100 x 30 mm straight driver access.
Bring the labeled lower shelf edge to the matching pre-drilled holes in the left side. Keep front edges flush; support the free end and clamp square. Drive two SPAX 4 x 40 T20 screws slowly into the conical seats, leaving them loose for squaring.
The lower shelf is clamped flush and square.
TipKeep 100 x 30 mm straight driver access.
Bring the labeled middle shelf edge to the matching pre-drilled holes in the left side. Keep front edges flush; support the free end and clamp square. Drive two SPAX 4 x 40 T20 screws slowly into the conical seats, leaving them loose for squaring.
The middle shelf is clamped flush and square.
TipKeep 100 x 30 mm straight driver access.
Bring the labeled upper shelf edge to the matching pre-drilled holes in the left side. Keep front edges flush; support the free end and clamp square. Drive two SPAX 4 x 40 T20 screws slowly into the conical seats, leaving them loose for squaring.
The upper shelf is clamped flush and square.
TipKeep 100 x 30 mm straight driver access.
Bring the labeled top edge to the matching pre-drilled holes in the left side. Keep front edges flush; support the free end and clamp square. Drive two SPAX 4 x 40 T20 screws slowly into the conical seats, leaving them loose for squaring.
The top is clamped flush and square.
TipKeep 100 x 30 mm straight driver access.
With a helper, lower the right side onto all five free panel ends. Match every pre-drilled pair and clamp with front edges flush. Drive ten SPAX 4 x 40 T20 screws from the outside right, working bottom to top and leaving them loose.
All five panels meet the right side.
TipKeep support in place throughout this step.
With a helper, place the supported carcass front-down on a padded flat surface. Compare diagonals, align the panel fronts, and confirm four 423 mm clear bays. Adjust clamps, then seat all 20 SPAX 4 x 40 heads flush in the prepared conical seats.
Diagonals match and all bays measure 423 mm.
TipStop if any head stands proud or sinks below veneer.
Lay the back on the upward rear edges with all perimeter edges flush. Match the pre-drilled holes to their pilots. Drive four SPAX 3.5 x 20 T20 screws from the rear at the uppermost and lowermost side-edge stations, leaving them lightly snug.
The back is flush and diagonals are rechecked.
TipPreserve 100 x 30 mm rear driver space.
Drive the remaining eleven SPAX 3.5 x 20 T20 screws from the rear into pre-drilled pilots: four along side edges, four into top/bottom, and three into shelf rear edges. Work evenly while checking square. Finish all 15 heads flush in the conical seats.
All 15 back screws sit flush.
TipStop before crushing the 6.5 mm back.
If you are adding the lighting, check the lower shelf width leaves 5.5 mm at the left end and 13.5 mm at the right end. Use one 845 mm free-cut light run.
Both end allowances are present.
TipThe right allowance includes the feed connector.
Check firstEnd fit must be confirmed before manufacture.
If you are adding the lighting, isolate power and support the lower shelf underside up. Check the 845 x 6 mm rounded recess is 6 mm deep. Fit the light and end fittings, protect the disconnected lead, and inspect the labeled 8 mm back passage.
The lead is protected and disconnected.
TipDo not drill or route during assembly.
If you are adding the lighting, check the middle shelf width leaves 5.5 mm at the left end and 13.5 mm at the right end. Use one 845 mm free-cut light run.
Both end allowances are present.
TipThe right allowance includes the feed connector.
Check firstEnd fit must be confirmed before manufacture.
If you are adding the lighting, isolate power and support the middle shelf underside up. Check the 845 x 6 mm rounded recess is 6 mm deep. Fit the light and end fittings, protect the disconnected lead, and inspect the labeled 8 mm back passage.
The lead is protected and disconnected.
TipDo not drill or route during assembly.
If you are adding the lighting, check the upper shelf width leaves 5.5 mm at the left end and 13.5 mm at the right end. Use one 845 mm free-cut light run.
Both end allowances are present.
TipThe right allowance includes the feed connector.
Check firstEnd fit must be confirmed before manufacture.
If you are adding the lighting, isolate power and support the upper shelf underside up. Check the 845 x 6 mm rounded recess is 6 mm deep. Fit the light and end fittings, protect the disconnected lead, and inspect the labeled 8 mm back passage.
The lead is protected and disconnected.
TipDo not drill or route during assembly.
If you are adding the lighting, check the top width leaves 5.5 mm at the left end and 13.5 mm at the right end. Use one 845 mm free-cut light run.
Both end allowances are present.
TipThe right allowance includes the feed connector.
Check firstEnd fit must be confirmed before manufacture.
If you are adding the lighting, isolate power and support the top underside up. Check the 845 x 6 mm rounded recess is 6 mm deep. Fit the light and end fittings, protect the disconnected lead, and inspect the labeled 8 mm back passage.
The lead is protected and disconnected.
TipDo not drill or route during assembly.
If you are adding the lighting, keep power isolated and the carcass supported before locating the back. Route the lower shelf lead rearward beneath its shelf and through its prepared 8 mm back hole from inside to outside. Pass one connector only.
The lower lead exits behind the back.
TipKeep the lead clear of back joints and screws.
If you are adding the lighting, keep power isolated and the carcass supported before locating the back. Route the middle shelf lead rearward beneath its shelf and through its prepared 8 mm back hole from inside to outside. Pass one connector only.
The middle lead exits behind the back.
TipKeep the lead clear of back joints and screws.
If you are adding the lighting, keep power isolated and the carcass supported before locating the back. Route the upper shelf lead rearward beneath its shelf and through its prepared 8 mm back hole from inside to outside. Pass one connector only.
The upper lead exits behind the back.
TipKeep the lead clear of back joints and screws.
If you are adding the lighting, keep power isolated and the carcass supported before locating the back. Route the top lead rearward beneath the top and through its prepared 8 mm back hole from inside to outside. Pass one connector only.
The top lead exits behind the back.
TipKeep the lead clear of back joints and screws.
If you are adding the lighting, retain all four leads outside the back before wall restraint. At each exit, turn the lead to the right, then upward beside the right side. Keep individual labels, bends, wall clearance, retention, and edge protection.
All four leads remain accessible behind the unit.
TipDo not route any lead below the bottom.
If you are adding the lighting, position one ventilated supply/DIN enclosure beside the upper right side with front access after wall restraint. Keep four removable branch connectors and slack loops reachable without moving the unit. Confirm clearances, enclosure fixings, mains isolation, and ventilation.
Supply access remains reachable from the front.
TipKeep slack loops removable for service.
If you are adding the lighting, calculate four 845 mm runs at 10 W/m as 33.8 W total, or 1.408 A at 24 V. Provide at least 42.25 W available after derating, giving 8.45 W margin above load.
The selected supply exceeds 42.25 W available.
Check firstA qualified installer must select the supply and confirm headroom, Shelly mode/current, wire sizing, and branch protection.
If you are adding the lighting, after wall restraint, isolate power and connect all four labeled 24 V branches in parallel through accessible terminals to the shared controller/supply. Confirm polarity, local control, and mains separation. Test each light, local on/off, and isolation.
Each light switches on and isolates correctly.
TipKeep branch connectors accessible after testing.
Check firstElectrical approval is required before connection; Home Assistant connection is not included.
Keep the unit supported. Install rated anti-tip hardware to the wall substrate and structural attachment points, following the approved system instructions. With a helper, position the unit upright only under controlled support; do not leave it freestanding or load it before restraint is confirmed.
The unit is restrained before any loading.
TipThe 6.5 mm back is not an anchor support.
Check firstWall substrate, hardware, attachment points, and installation details are unresolved; have a qualified installer resolve them.
Confirm wall restraint, level, square, all 35 seated fixings, flush panel contacts, and no splits or movement. Check all four lights and service loops if installed. Treat the three 24 mm shelves as screened only for 30 kg uniformly distributed books each.
Nothing moves, splits, or stands proud.
TipUse a straightedge to confirm fixing heads are flush.
Check firstThe 30 kg shelf screen does not establish whole-furniture capacity; keep unloaded until all approvals are complete.
Finishing
Break sharp edges with 180 grit and sand with the grain, never across it. Veneer is thin: let the paper do the work. Two thin coats of hardwax oil or water-based lacquer protect the faces and the edges, which take most of the knocks.
A tall bookcase can tip when someone pulls on a shelf or a child climbs it. Anchor it before you load it, with an anti-tip fixing that suits your wall: plugs for masonry, cavity fixings or a stud for plasterboard. If you are unsure what your wall is made of, ask before you drill.
Caminu checks every design before calling it ready to build. This one still has open points, so read the notes marked Check first and keep the shelves unloaded until they are settled for your build.
Make it yours
Change any of these and Caminu redraws the whole plan, with a new cut list, new drilling and a new guide.
Related templates
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Show Caminu your room and describe the piece. You get the 3D model, the cut list and the assembly guide.