Library - re-assemble

Grrr, aaarrrgghh and similar expressions.  This re-assembling the shelves turned out to be a job I eventually had to walk away from before I had anywhere near finished.

I had some challenges just putting pieces back together as there were lots of breakages, splits and cracks which needed fixing, such as the one in this back panel.

.... but this was nothing compared to the ultimate challenge yet to come.  After a while of gluing and fiddling around I got the four main pieces looking OK.

... then the nightmare began.  I had forgotten completely how fiddly and frustrating it was when I first made these to fit the shelves in.  It was so, so, annoying.  I considered putting in tiny battens to attach them to but realised I would have to accurately cut 3 tiny pieces of wood for each of 24 shelves and it would probably not look all that nice.  I am also not convinced it would help with sticking them in place any way.

It has to be a tight fit for all three sides to make contact and it certainly that, so just getting them in the place is a nightmare.  Where to apply the glue? When you have 'sorted' that, the pig of the task is how to  make sure they are level horizontally and from front to back.

I had assembled all the 'frames' ready as shown in the above picture - all except one, which didn't have its side or top on as I was waiting for some damage to dry.  Needless to say I then discovered a much easier way to do it.

With two sides open I could put the shelf in place easily gluing two edges and could even use a square edge to set the shelf so it was level in all directions.  Grrrrrr  This will help with just four but leaves me with twenty others to do.  I had eight in place by the time I had to walk away.

Next day I managed to get the shelves in by applying a bit of nous combined with brute force.  First dot the where the shelf will go with a few tiny dot of Superglue gel.  Then put the shelf in above its location diagonally, taking advantage of the space.

Then, taking much care, flex the shelf a little so it is now short enough to get into its place before settling it in

 

I made that sound easy.Eventually though I had all four pieces reassembled. 

They need a top trim to neaten the front edge again.  Although looking at them now I am wondering (if the paint I got proves to be a good match) if I might not bother with adding the trim.  I think I could sand the edges smooth and touch up with paint and maybe add a picture light over each section.

Or cabinet lights?  I can't decide which would look the best and work the best.  I welcome any help here from anyone who has used either.   Mmmm on consideration the fastening plate is probably bigger than the front edge of the top cabinet trim.... another grrrr.  

So, a couple of tips from this week's adventures:

• when gluing fiddly pieces together:  use wood glue, not too thick, and let it go off a bit so it is more tacky and the big secret to success is to put occasional tiny bits of Superglue gel - apply with a toothpick here and there to give instant grab
• try always to look at your work as model making and not real life in miniature.  I just didn't see the leaving a side and the top off solution because, in real life, you build your cases and then add your shelves.