Hey everyone! I'm a complete newbie to woodworking and I'm excited to build my very first bookshelf at home. The dimensions are about 5x4 feet with shelves that are 1 foot apart. I've heard plywood is a solid option, but it can get pricey. Would using particle board be a good alternative? I'm planning to get everything pre-cut at a local shop and just nail it all together since I don't have any prior experience.
2 Answers
Particle board is definitely a viable option for your bookshelf, but keep in mind that it can be a bit heavy. Just curious, is this the only project you have in mind? My local store has some nice pine wood options that might be worth considering if you're planning to do more woodworking in the future! Also, what tools do you have at your disposal?
You might want to stick with particle board since it's less expensive, but just be aware that it won't be as lightweight as some other woods. If you just have a drill, that's cool! You can do a lot with that and some screws. If you get a sanding bit, that’ll really help smooth everything out once you're done.