How to Build a DIY Tabletop Book Rack
Make a modern DIY wooden stand with 1x2s and dowels. Beginner-friendly tutorial and the perfect handmade gift for readers, cooks, and teachers.
If you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for gift ideas that feel thoughtful but don’t require an entire weekend in the garage.
This is one of those projects that looks fancy but is super simple to build, and it works for anyone – readers, cooks, students, teachers, or that friend who always has a stack of books tipping over on their nightstand.
For this project, I decided to bring out my dowel jig to make all of the joints, which means – no hardware!
And the best part? It’s beginner-friendly and comes together way faster than you’d think.
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Supplies Needed
- Lumber per the plans
- 1/4″ Dowel Plugs
- Clamps. I like these.
- Wood Glue
- Paint/stain of your choice
- Clear Coat. I used this one.
Tools Needed
I have slowly upgraded my tools over the years, and below I have added both the tools I use in my shop and beginner-friendly options so you can pick what fits your budget.
- Miter Saw – What I use | Beginner Option
- 1/4″ Dowel Jig.
- Sander – What I use – I have had this since 2015 and still going strong!
How to Build
Step 1: Prep the Boards
- Make all the cuts per the cut list in the plans.
There are a bunch of small cuts, and the best and safest way to make those cuts is to use a stop block on the miter saw and make the cuts.
- This is a good time to sand all the boards smooth. See more about how to sand wood.
Step 2: Drill Dowel Joints
- Mark and label the joints.
The most important part of making strong dowel joints is getting the holes perfectly aligned. The easiest way to do that is to mark everything – each board, the direction it faces, and exactly where the joints meet. A few extra pencil lines make the whole assembly process so much smoother.
A quick note: In this tutorial, you’ll see me using a 3/8″ dowel jig and 3/8″ dowels. They were actually a little too big for this project, which meant I could only fit one dowel per joint. That creates a natural pivot point and makes alignment trickier than it needs to be.
I was up against a deadline and didn’t have time to grab a 1/4″ jig, but if you’re building this yourself, definitely use a 1/4″ dowel jig. You will be able to fit two dowels and will have cleaner, easier-to-align joints.
- Set your dowel jig to the center of the 1×2 thickness (3/4″ board thickness = center at ~3/8″).
- Set drilling depth: dowel length ÷ 2, minus ~1/16″ safety. Add a tape flag if you don’t have a depth stop. Remember that when drilling into the face of the board you will have to change the depth to 3/8″ and then adjust the depth for the other side accordingly.
- Clamp the jig to the board tightly with a clamp and make the hole.
Step 3: Glue and Assemble
- Add a small bead of glue into the holes, lightly coat the dowels and tap them into one board.
- Put the pieces together and clamp with light-to-moderate pressure. Be sure to check for flush faces and square ends.
Leave the assembly clamped overnight (or per your glue’s instructions).
I assembled each side separately and then attached the stretchers in between.
After the glue cures, remove clamps and clean any dried squeeze-out.
Step 4: Final Finish
- Stain or paint in the color of your choice and apply a protective coat.
If staining, be sure to use pre-stain conditioner. See how to stain wood.
If painting, be sure to use primer. See how to paint wood.
That’s it!
Grab the Plans
Want to build your own version? I’ve created detailed step-by-step plans and a complete supply list to help you make this project. Click on the button below to get the plans.
If you look close, you can see that there is a little twist in the entire thing. This is because of using only a single dowel. Two dowels will easily solve the problem. I make these mistakes and try out so you don’t have to.
But seriously, isn’t it amazing what a few 1x2s and some simple dowel joinery can turn into? This little stand looks clean, modern, and polished like something you’d find in a boutique shop. No one will guess it came together in an afternoon.
More DIY Gift Ideas:
This is Day 2 of the DIY Gifts Week! All this week, I teamed up with my friends Shara from Woodshop Diaries and Kati from Houseful of Handmade to bring you new DIY gift ideas every day.
Click on the project below to go check out all the projects for today.
Personalized Bookends by Woodshop Diaries
DIY Tabletop Charging Station by Houseful of Handmade
Anika's goal is to inspire and empower beginners with woodworking, DIY, home improvement, and home decor ideas.
She wants everyone to unlock their creative potential and experience the feeling that comes with making something. Nothing feels better better than seeing something and saying "I can make that!"
