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How can I fix this gap between bookcases I made?
The 2019 Stack Overflow Developer Survey Results Are In
Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara
Planned maintenance scheduled April 17/18, 2019 at 00:00UTC (8:00pm US/Eastern)How can I update this very stubborn antique bed frame so the mattress fits properly?Have our worktops been fitted wrong?Can I build a vanity, or am I in over my head?Built-in bookshelf questionsHow to connect two bed legs to make a bunk bed from two regular beds?How can I find the part to fix this bookshelf?Will 1x4's and 1x6's be enough for an aquarium stand?How to build a removable bench for a sit-in window?What's the right type of lumber to construct a small TV platform?Which insulation for gap between plasterboard and subfloor?
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I just built two bookcases to line the wall of a room in my house and apparently didn't build them square enough so, when I put them next to each other, I get this giant gap. (I think the one on the right is pretty square but the one on the left appears to lean to the left at the top.)
Any suggestions on how I can make this look better? The shelves are going to be sanded, spackled, caulked, and painted. One thought I had would be to remove the vertical strips of molding where the two bookcases meet (there is 3/4" square molding on all the edges) and make one custom piece that attaches to both. This piece would be wider at the top and taper at the bottom. Maybe that would look bad--I don't know. It also wouldn't address the gap on the top horizontal surface.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
woodworking furniture carpentry
edited Apr 10 at 22:32
dotancohen
1697
asked Apr 7 at 14:10
johnnyb1970johnnyb1970
613513
|
show 2 more comments
I just built two bookcases to line the wall of a room in my house and apparently didn't build them square enough so, when I put them next to each other, I get this giant gap. (I think the one on the right is pretty square but the one on the left appears to lean to the left at the top.)
Any suggestions on how I can make this look better? The shelves are going to be sanded, spackled, caulked, and painted. One thought I had would be to remove the vertical strips of molding where the two bookcases meet (there is 3/4" square molding on all the edges) and make one custom piece that attaches to both. This piece would be wider at the top and taper at the bottom. Maybe that would look bad--I don't know. It also wouldn't address the gap on the top horizontal surface.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
woodworking furniture carpentry
edited Apr 10 at 22:32
dotancohen
1697
asked Apr 7 at 14:10
johnnyb1970johnnyb1970
613513
29
Is it possible that some portion of the gap is due to variation of the floor?
– Michael Karas♦
Apr 7 at 14:15
19
You should get a tool called a framing square so that you can check squareness rather than guess. Maybe it is possible for you to remove the back of one unit and spring the shelves into square and reattach the back to hold it in the square shape. It is not quite clear how the backs are fabricated and the worst could be that you would have to make a new back.
– Michael Karas♦
Apr 7 at 14:19
3
@MichaelKaras -- Your comments would make a good answer.
– Jasper
Apr 8 at 0:45
@MichaelKaras: This is good advice, but I would add: check the framing square for squareness! I once spent a frustrating hour trying to figure out why no matter how I tried, the jig I was building would not come out square. I realized eventually that I was not crazy, it was the square that was wrong. A solid steel square presumably made by professionals was 89 degrees.
– Eric Lippert
Apr 9 at 0:57
2
Now that you've fixed it, please post an updated picture so we can all sleep at night.
– DavidS
Apr 9 at 16:58
|
show 2 more comments
I just built two bookcases to line the wall of a room in my house and apparently didn't build them square enough so, when I put them next to each other, I get this giant gap. (I think the one on the right is pretty square but the one on the left appears to lean to the left at the top.)
Any suggestions on how I can make this look better? The shelves are going to be sanded, spackled, caulked, and painted. One thought I had would be to remove the vertical strips of molding where the two bookcases meet (there is 3/4" square molding on all the edges) and make one custom piece that attaches to both. This piece would be wider at the top and taper at the bottom. Maybe that would look bad--I don't know. It also wouldn't address the gap on the top horizontal surface.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
woodworking furniture carpentry
edited Apr 10 at 22:32
dotancohen
1697
asked Apr 7 at 14:10
johnnyb1970johnnyb1970
613513
I just built two bookcases to line the wall of a room in my house and apparently didn't build them square enough so, when I put them next to each other, I get this giant gap. (I think the one on the right is pretty square but the one on the left appears to lean to the left at the top.)
Any suggestions on how I can make this look better? The shelves are going to be sanded, spackled, caulked, and painted. One thought I had would be to remove the vertical strips of molding where the two bookcases meet (there is 3/4" square molding on all the edges) and make one custom piece that attaches to both. This piece would be wider at the top and taper at the bottom. Maybe that would look bad--I don't know. It also wouldn't address the gap on the top horizontal surface.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
woodworking furniture carpentry
woodworking furniture carpentry
edited Apr 10 at 22:32
dotancohen
1697
asked Apr 7 at 14:10
johnnyb1970johnnyb1970
613513
edited Apr 10 at 22:32
dotancohen
1697
asked Apr 7 at 14:10
johnnyb1970johnnyb1970
613513
edited Apr 10 at 22:32
dotancohen
1697
edited Apr 10 at 22:32
dotancohen
1697
edited Apr 10 at 22:32
dotancohen
1697
1697
asked Apr 7 at 14:10
johnnyb1970johnnyb1970
613513
asked Apr 7 at 14:10
johnnyb1970johnnyb1970
613513
asked Apr 7 at 14:10
johnnyb1970johnnyb1970
613513
613513
29
Is it possible that some portion of the gap is due to variation of the floor?
– Michael Karas♦
Apr 7 at 14:15
19
You should get a tool called a framing square so that you can check squareness rather than guess. Maybe it is possible for you to remove the back of one unit and spring the shelves into square and reattach the back to hold it in the square shape. It is not quite clear how the backs are fabricated and the worst could be that you would have to make a new back.
– Michael Karas♦
Apr 7 at 14:19
3
@MichaelKaras -- Your comments would make a good answer.
– Jasper
Apr 8 at 0:45
@MichaelKaras: This is good advice, but I would add: check the framing square for squareness! I once spent a frustrating hour trying to figure out why no matter how I tried, the jig I was building would not come out square. I realized eventually that I was not crazy, it was the square that was wrong. A solid steel square presumably made by professionals was 89 degrees.
– Eric Lippert
Apr 9 at 0:57
2
Now that you've fixed it, please post an updated picture so we can all sleep at night.
– DavidS
Apr 9 at 16:58
|
show 2 more comments
29
Is it possible that some portion of the gap is due to variation of the floor?
– Michael Karas♦
Apr 7 at 14:15
19
You should get a tool called a framing square so that you can check squareness rather than guess. Maybe it is possible for you to remove the back of one unit and spring the shelves into square and reattach the back to hold it in the square shape. It is not quite clear how the backs are fabricated and the worst could be that you would have to make a new back.
– Michael Karas♦
Apr 7 at 14:19
3
@MichaelKaras -- Your comments would make a good answer.
– Jasper
Apr 8 at 0:45
@MichaelKaras: This is good advice, but I would add: check the framing square for squareness! I once spent a frustrating hour trying to figure out why no matter how I tried, the jig I was building would not come out square. I realized eventually that I was not crazy, it was the square that was wrong. A solid steel square presumably made by professionals was 89 degrees.
– Eric Lippert
Apr 9 at 0:57
2
Now that you've fixed it, please post an updated picture so we can all sleep at night.
– DavidS
Apr 9 at 16:58
29
29
Is it possible that some portion of the gap is due to variation of the floor?
– Michael Karas♦
Apr 7 at 14:15
Is it possible that some portion of the gap is due to variation of the floor?
– Michael Karas♦
Apr 7 at 14:15
19
19
You should get a tool called a framing square so that you can check squareness rather than guess. Maybe it is possible for you to remove the back of one unit and spring the shelves into square and reattach the back to hold it in the square shape. It is not quite clear how the backs are fabricated and the worst could be that you would have to make a new back.
– Michael Karas♦
Apr 7 at 14:19
You should get a tool called a framing square so that you can check squareness rather than guess. Maybe it is possible for you to remove the back of one unit and spring the shelves into square and reattach the back to hold it in the square shape. It is not quite clear how the backs are fabricated and the worst could be that you would have to make a new back.
– Michael Karas♦
Apr 7 at 14:19
3
3
@MichaelKaras -- Your comments would make a good answer.
– Jasper
Apr 8 at 0:45
@MichaelKaras -- Your comments would make a good answer.
– Jasper
Apr 8 at 0:45
@MichaelKaras: This is good advice, but I would add: check the framing square for squareness! I once spent a frustrating hour trying to figure out why no matter how I tried, the jig I was building would not come out square. I realized eventually that I was not crazy, it was the square that was wrong. A solid steel square presumably made by professionals was 89 degrees.
– Eric Lippert
Apr 9 at 0:57
@MichaelKaras: This is good advice, but I would add: check the framing square for squareness! I once spent a frustrating hour trying to figure out why no matter how I tried, the jig I was building would not come out square. I realized eventually that I was not crazy, it was the square that was wrong. A solid steel square presumably made by professionals was 89 degrees.
– Eric Lippert
Apr 9 at 0:57
2
2
Now that you've fixed it, please post an updated picture so we can all sleep at night.
– DavidS
Apr 9 at 16:58
Now that you've fixed it, please post an updated picture so we can all sleep at night.
– DavidS
Apr 9 at 16:58
|
show 2 more comments
6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
Swap their positions.
Place the bookcases so that they lean into each other instead of away from each other. This will eliminate the gap between the tops.
Bookcase contents are usually quite heavy. Once the cases are filled, you will probably find that you can force the bottoms together and the weight of the contents will distort the shape of the cases so the gap disappears.
If an unsightly gap remains visible then you will need to resort to a decorative molding.
answered Apr 7 at 14:58
A. I. BreveleriA. I. Breveleri
7,8771924
31
Another benefit to swapping them is you can see if the problem is actually caused by an uneven floor.
– bitsmack
Apr 8 at 6:39
1
It's funny that the best solution (in my opinion) is a quick bodge.
– Ismael Miguel
Apr 8 at 18:03
2
Or flip them upside down, they look like they would go either way
– Luke McGregor
Apr 9 at 9:09
1
@LukeMcGregor even if they go either way, flipping them will either point the opening against the wall or rotate them so that the long diagonal is in the same position it was before. Right now the long diagonals look like this:[][/]Flip them 180 degrees and they look exactly the same.
– candied_orange
Apr 9 at 17:38
add a comment |
Thanks everyone; I figured it out and came back here to update my post and noticed that Michael Karas said the same thing I realized (although it was a comment, so I couldn't mark it as the correct answer): I had to pop the back off the left unit (which was actually quite easy because it was just 1/4" plywood attached with brads and no glue), re-rack the unit into square, and then reattach the back. Thanks for the input!
answered Apr 7 at 15:21
johnnyb1970johnnyb1970
613513
1
Yes - this is certainly the correct answer. It is not a huge gap and the force required to push the backless bookcase into a cuboid is unlikely to be too great to be held by a few panel pins once you put the back back on. They look like nice bookcases, and good luck!
– ruffle
Apr 7 at 23:51
4
Still, it is often the case in older houses (and sometimes in new ones) that the floor is not flat. You need to level them with a spirit level and some kind of shims so they are perfectly level. Then you could consider screwing them together top and bottom.
– RedSonja
Apr 8 at 7:00
1
So you had frame square or went and bought one?
– Solar Mike
Apr 8 at 7:49
1
I didn't buy a framing square (although it's on my list--I used to have one but it's disappeared). But I used my smallish rafter square on the corner of the left bookcase and it looked out of square. I then made an ad-hoc plumb line and used that to verify that the left bookcase was indeed racked to the left. The right one was square.
– johnnyb1970
Apr 8 at 20:52
add a comment |
You don't have to buy or get a framing square : just measure the diagonals... That will tell you if either or both units are out of square.
If they are both ok, then look to the floor - small change in the floor will make a large gap at the top... Then you need some adjustable feet of some sort.
answered Apr 7 at 14:56
Solar MikeSolar Mike
1,19329
3
Well, yes they won't. That's my point. Neither for a parallelogram, a trapezoid, ... The diagonals will be equal, like for a square.
– WoJ
Apr 8 at 13:24
5
@WoJ a parallogram does not have equal diagonals, but they do bisect each other... So, the method I suggested is still valid. You may find this helpful : mathplanet.com/education/geometry/quadrilaterals/…
– Solar Mike
Apr 8 at 13:31
1
(a parallelogram having equal length diagonals ... pfff ... the shame ...) :)
– WoJ
Apr 8 at 13:37
1
@WoJ I think we can assume that the top and bottom are the same length, and the left and right sides are the same length, so it is a parallelogram and the trick with the diagonals works.
– David Richerby
Apr 8 at 14:55
3
@WoJ - "a parallelogram having equal length diagonals", yeah, I've heard of them, they are called rectangles.
– Glen Yates
Apr 8 at 21:57
|
show 11 more comments
I have used interscrews (e.g. from screwfix) in the past to join units together to make them line up nice and tight.
answered Apr 8 at 7:31
DorisDoris
1812
New contributor
Doris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Thanks--those look like they would be helpful.
– johnnyb1970
Apr 8 at 20:54
add a comment |
If the shelves are sturdy, just get some molding and cover the junction of the two units. Nail the molding to only one unit so they can be easily separated if you want to move them.
answered Apr 7 at 14:37
Jim StewartJim Stewart
11.9k11332
add a comment |
I would turn the left bookcase upside down. If the other side of the left bookcase is more square, or slants to the right, this will fix your problem.
answered Apr 10 at 5:18
spacetyperspacetyper
14318
add a comment |
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6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Swap their positions.
Place the bookcases so that they lean into each other instead of away from each other. This will eliminate the gap between the tops.
Bookcase contents are usually quite heavy. Once the cases are filled, you will probably find that you can force the bottoms together and the weight of the contents will distort the shape of the cases so the gap disappears.
If an unsightly gap remains visible then you will need to resort to a decorative molding.
answered Apr 7 at 14:58
A. I. BreveleriA. I. Breveleri
7,8771924
31
Another benefit to swapping them is you can see if the problem is actually caused by an uneven floor.
– bitsmack
Apr 8 at 6:39
1
It's funny that the best solution (in my opinion) is a quick bodge.
– Ismael Miguel
Apr 8 at 18:03
2
Or flip them upside down, they look like they would go either way
– Luke McGregor
Apr 9 at 9:09
1
@LukeMcGregor even if they go either way, flipping them will either point the opening against the wall or rotate them so that the long diagonal is in the same position it was before. Right now the long diagonals look like this:[][/]Flip them 180 degrees and they look exactly the same.
– candied_orange
Apr 9 at 17:38
add a comment |
Swap their positions.
Place the bookcases so that they lean into each other instead of away from each other. This will eliminate the gap between the tops.
Bookcase contents are usually quite heavy. Once the cases are filled, you will probably find that you can force the bottoms together and the weight of the contents will distort the shape of the cases so the gap disappears.
If an unsightly gap remains visible then you will need to resort to a decorative molding.
answered Apr 7 at 14:58
A. I. BreveleriA. I. Breveleri
7,8771924
31
Another benefit to swapping them is you can see if the problem is actually caused by an uneven floor.
– bitsmack
Apr 8 at 6:39
1
It's funny that the best solution (in my opinion) is a quick bodge.
– Ismael Miguel
Apr 8 at 18:03
2
Or flip them upside down, they look like they would go either way
– Luke McGregor
Apr 9 at 9:09
1
@LukeMcGregor even if they go either way, flipping them will either point the opening against the wall or rotate them so that the long diagonal is in the same position it was before. Right now the long diagonals look like this:[][/]Flip them 180 degrees and they look exactly the same.
– candied_orange
Apr 9 at 17:38
add a comment |
Swap their positions.
Place the bookcases so that they lean into each other instead of away from each other. This will eliminate the gap between the tops.
Bookcase contents are usually quite heavy. Once the cases are filled, you will probably find that you can force the bottoms together and the weight of the contents will distort the shape of the cases so the gap disappears.
If an unsightly gap remains visible then you will need to resort to a decorative molding.
answered Apr 7 at 14:58
A. I. BreveleriA. I. Breveleri
7,8771924
Swap their positions.
Place the bookcases so that they lean into each other instead of away from each other. This will eliminate the gap between the tops.
Bookcase contents are usually quite heavy. Once the cases are filled, you will probably find that you can force the bottoms together and the weight of the contents will distort the shape of the cases so the gap disappears.
If an unsightly gap remains visible then you will need to resort to a decorative molding.
answered Apr 7 at 14:58
A. I. BreveleriA. I. Breveleri
7,8771924
answered Apr 7 at 14:58
A. I. BreveleriA. I. Breveleri
7,8771924
answered Apr 7 at 14:58
A. I. BreveleriA. I. Breveleri
7,8771924
answered Apr 7 at 14:58
A. I. BreveleriA. I. Breveleri
7,8771924
7,8771924
31
Another benefit to swapping them is you can see if the problem is actually caused by an uneven floor.
– bitsmack
Apr 8 at 6:39
1
It's funny that the best solution (in my opinion) is a quick bodge.
– Ismael Miguel
Apr 8 at 18:03
2
Or flip them upside down, they look like they would go either way
– Luke McGregor
Apr 9 at 9:09
1
@LukeMcGregor even if they go either way, flipping them will either point the opening against the wall or rotate them so that the long diagonal is in the same position it was before. Right now the long diagonals look like this:[][/]Flip them 180 degrees and they look exactly the same.
– candied_orange
Apr 9 at 17:38
add a comment |
31
Another benefit to swapping them is you can see if the problem is actually caused by an uneven floor.
– bitsmack
Apr 8 at 6:39
1
It's funny that the best solution (in my opinion) is a quick bodge.
– Ismael Miguel
Apr 8 at 18:03
2
Or flip them upside down, they look like they would go either way
– Luke McGregor
Apr 9 at 9:09
1
@LukeMcGregor even if they go either way, flipping them will either point the opening against the wall or rotate them so that the long diagonal is in the same position it was before. Right now the long diagonals look like this:[][/]Flip them 180 degrees and they look exactly the same.
– candied_orange
Apr 9 at 17:38
31
31
Another benefit to swapping them is you can see if the problem is actually caused by an uneven floor.
– bitsmack
Apr 8 at 6:39
Another benefit to swapping them is you can see if the problem is actually caused by an uneven floor.
– bitsmack
Apr 8 at 6:39
1
1
It's funny that the best solution (in my opinion) is a quick bodge.
– Ismael Miguel
Apr 8 at 18:03
It's funny that the best solution (in my opinion) is a quick bodge.
– Ismael Miguel
Apr 8 at 18:03
2
2
Or flip them upside down, they look like they would go either way
– Luke McGregor
Apr 9 at 9:09
Or flip them upside down, they look like they would go either way
– Luke McGregor
Apr 9 at 9:09
1
1
@LukeMcGregor even if they go either way, flipping them will either point the opening against the wall or rotate them so that the long diagonal is in the same position it was before. Right now the long diagonals look like this:
[][/] Flip them 180 degrees and they look exactly the same.– candied_orange
Apr 9 at 17:38
@LukeMcGregor even if they go either way, flipping them will either point the opening against the wall or rotate them so that the long diagonal is in the same position it was before. Right now the long diagonals look like this:
[][/] Flip them 180 degrees and they look exactly the same.– candied_orange
Apr 9 at 17:38
add a comment |
Thanks everyone; I figured it out and came back here to update my post and noticed that Michael Karas said the same thing I realized (although it was a comment, so I couldn't mark it as the correct answer): I had to pop the back off the left unit (which was actually quite easy because it was just 1/4" plywood attached with brads and no glue), re-rack the unit into square, and then reattach the back. Thanks for the input!
answered Apr 7 at 15:21
johnnyb1970johnnyb1970
613513
1
Yes - this is certainly the correct answer. It is not a huge gap and the force required to push the backless bookcase into a cuboid is unlikely to be too great to be held by a few panel pins once you put the back back on. They look like nice bookcases, and good luck!
– ruffle
Apr 7 at 23:51
4
Still, it is often the case in older houses (and sometimes in new ones) that the floor is not flat. You need to level them with a spirit level and some kind of shims so they are perfectly level. Then you could consider screwing them together top and bottom.
– RedSonja
Apr 8 at 7:00
1
So you had frame square or went and bought one?
– Solar Mike
Apr 8 at 7:49
1
I didn't buy a framing square (although it's on my list--I used to have one but it's disappeared). But I used my smallish rafter square on the corner of the left bookcase and it looked out of square. I then made an ad-hoc plumb line and used that to verify that the left bookcase was indeed racked to the left. The right one was square.
– johnnyb1970
Apr 8 at 20:52
add a comment |
Thanks everyone; I figured it out and came back here to update my post and noticed that Michael Karas said the same thing I realized (although it was a comment, so I couldn't mark it as the correct answer): I had to pop the back off the left unit (which was actually quite easy because it was just 1/4" plywood attached with brads and no glue), re-rack the unit into square, and then reattach the back. Thanks for the input!
answered Apr 7 at 15:21
johnnyb1970johnnyb1970
613513
1
Yes - this is certainly the correct answer. It is not a huge gap and the force required to push the backless bookcase into a cuboid is unlikely to be too great to be held by a few panel pins once you put the back back on. They look like nice bookcases, and good luck!
– ruffle
Apr 7 at 23:51
4
Still, it is often the case in older houses (and sometimes in new ones) that the floor is not flat. You need to level them with a spirit level and some kind of shims so they are perfectly level. Then you could consider screwing them together top and bottom.
– RedSonja
Apr 8 at 7:00
1
So you had frame square or went and bought one?
– Solar Mike
Apr 8 at 7:49
1
I didn't buy a framing square (although it's on my list--I used to have one but it's disappeared). But I used my smallish rafter square on the corner of the left bookcase and it looked out of square. I then made an ad-hoc plumb line and used that to verify that the left bookcase was indeed racked to the left. The right one was square.
– johnnyb1970
Apr 8 at 20:52
add a comment |
Thanks everyone; I figured it out and came back here to update my post and noticed that Michael Karas said the same thing I realized (although it was a comment, so I couldn't mark it as the correct answer): I had to pop the back off the left unit (which was actually quite easy because it was just 1/4" plywood attached with brads and no glue), re-rack the unit into square, and then reattach the back. Thanks for the input!
answered Apr 7 at 15:21
johnnyb1970johnnyb1970
613513
Thanks everyone; I figured it out and came back here to update my post and noticed that Michael Karas said the same thing I realized (although it was a comment, so I couldn't mark it as the correct answer): I had to pop the back off the left unit (which was actually quite easy because it was just 1/4" plywood attached with brads and no glue), re-rack the unit into square, and then reattach the back. Thanks for the input!
answered Apr 7 at 15:21
johnnyb1970johnnyb1970
613513
answered Apr 7 at 15:21
johnnyb1970johnnyb1970
613513
answered Apr 7 at 15:21
johnnyb1970johnnyb1970
613513
answered Apr 7 at 15:21
johnnyb1970johnnyb1970
613513
613513
1
Yes - this is certainly the correct answer. It is not a huge gap and the force required to push the backless bookcase into a cuboid is unlikely to be too great to be held by a few panel pins once you put the back back on. They look like nice bookcases, and good luck!
– ruffle
Apr 7 at 23:51
4
Still, it is often the case in older houses (and sometimes in new ones) that the floor is not flat. You need to level them with a spirit level and some kind of shims so they are perfectly level. Then you could consider screwing them together top and bottom.
– RedSonja
Apr 8 at 7:00
1
So you had frame square or went and bought one?
– Solar Mike
Apr 8 at 7:49
1
I didn't buy a framing square (although it's on my list--I used to have one but it's disappeared). But I used my smallish rafter square on the corner of the left bookcase and it looked out of square. I then made an ad-hoc plumb line and used that to verify that the left bookcase was indeed racked to the left. The right one was square.
– johnnyb1970
Apr 8 at 20:52
add a comment |
1
Yes - this is certainly the correct answer. It is not a huge gap and the force required to push the backless bookcase into a cuboid is unlikely to be too great to be held by a few panel pins once you put the back back on. They look like nice bookcases, and good luck!
– ruffle
Apr 7 at 23:51
4
Still, it is often the case in older houses (and sometimes in new ones) that the floor is not flat. You need to level them with a spirit level and some kind of shims so they are perfectly level. Then you could consider screwing them together top and bottom.
– RedSonja
Apr 8 at 7:00
1
So you had frame square or went and bought one?
– Solar Mike
Apr 8 at 7:49
1
I didn't buy a framing square (although it's on my list--I used to have one but it's disappeared). But I used my smallish rafter square on the corner of the left bookcase and it looked out of square. I then made an ad-hoc plumb line and used that to verify that the left bookcase was indeed racked to the left. The right one was square.
– johnnyb1970
Apr 8 at 20:52
1
1
Yes - this is certainly the correct answer. It is not a huge gap and the force required to push the backless bookcase into a cuboid is unlikely to be too great to be held by a few panel pins once you put the back back on. They look like nice bookcases, and good luck!
– ruffle
Apr 7 at 23:51
Yes - this is certainly the correct answer. It is not a huge gap and the force required to push the backless bookcase into a cuboid is unlikely to be too great to be held by a few panel pins once you put the back back on. They look like nice bookcases, and good luck!
– ruffle
Apr 7 at 23:51
4
4
Still, it is often the case in older houses (and sometimes in new ones) that the floor is not flat. You need to level them with a spirit level and some kind of shims so they are perfectly level. Then you could consider screwing them together top and bottom.
– RedSonja
Apr 8 at 7:00
Still, it is often the case in older houses (and sometimes in new ones) that the floor is not flat. You need to level them with a spirit level and some kind of shims so they are perfectly level. Then you could consider screwing them together top and bottom.
– RedSonja
Apr 8 at 7:00
1
1
So you had frame square or went and bought one?
– Solar Mike
Apr 8 at 7:49
So you had frame square or went and bought one?
– Solar Mike
Apr 8 at 7:49
1
1
I didn't buy a framing square (although it's on my list--I used to have one but it's disappeared). But I used my smallish rafter square on the corner of the left bookcase and it looked out of square. I then made an ad-hoc plumb line and used that to verify that the left bookcase was indeed racked to the left. The right one was square.
– johnnyb1970
Apr 8 at 20:52
I didn't buy a framing square (although it's on my list--I used to have one but it's disappeared). But I used my smallish rafter square on the corner of the left bookcase and it looked out of square. I then made an ad-hoc plumb line and used that to verify that the left bookcase was indeed racked to the left. The right one was square.
– johnnyb1970
Apr 8 at 20:52
add a comment |
You don't have to buy or get a framing square : just measure the diagonals... That will tell you if either or both units are out of square.
If they are both ok, then look to the floor - small change in the floor will make a large gap at the top... Then you need some adjustable feet of some sort.
answered Apr 7 at 14:56
Solar MikeSolar Mike
1,19329
3
Well, yes they won't. That's my point. Neither for a parallelogram, a trapezoid, ... The diagonals will be equal, like for a square.
– WoJ
Apr 8 at 13:24
5
@WoJ a parallogram does not have equal diagonals, but they do bisect each other... So, the method I suggested is still valid. You may find this helpful : mathplanet.com/education/geometry/quadrilaterals/…
– Solar Mike
Apr 8 at 13:31
1
(a parallelogram having equal length diagonals ... pfff ... the shame ...) :)
– WoJ
Apr 8 at 13:37
1
@WoJ I think we can assume that the top and bottom are the same length, and the left and right sides are the same length, so it is a parallelogram and the trick with the diagonals works.
– David Richerby
Apr 8 at 14:55
3
@WoJ - "a parallelogram having equal length diagonals", yeah, I've heard of them, they are called rectangles.
– Glen Yates
Apr 8 at 21:57
|
show 11 more comments
You don't have to buy or get a framing square : just measure the diagonals... That will tell you if either or both units are out of square.
If they are both ok, then look to the floor - small change in the floor will make a large gap at the top... Then you need some adjustable feet of some sort.
answered Apr 7 at 14:56
Solar MikeSolar Mike
1,19329
3
Well, yes they won't. That's my point. Neither for a parallelogram, a trapezoid, ... The diagonals will be equal, like for a square.
– WoJ
Apr 8 at 13:24
5
@WoJ a parallogram does not have equal diagonals, but they do bisect each other... So, the method I suggested is still valid. You may find this helpful : mathplanet.com/education/geometry/quadrilaterals/…
– Solar Mike
Apr 8 at 13:31
1
(a parallelogram having equal length diagonals ... pfff ... the shame ...) :)
– WoJ
Apr 8 at 13:37
1
@WoJ I think we can assume that the top and bottom are the same length, and the left and right sides are the same length, so it is a parallelogram and the trick with the diagonals works.
– David Richerby
Apr 8 at 14:55
3
@WoJ - "a parallelogram having equal length diagonals", yeah, I've heard of them, they are called rectangles.
– Glen Yates
Apr 8 at 21:57
|
show 11 more comments
You don't have to buy or get a framing square : just measure the diagonals... That will tell you if either or both units are out of square.
If they are both ok, then look to the floor - small change in the floor will make a large gap at the top... Then you need some adjustable feet of some sort.
answered Apr 7 at 14:56
Solar MikeSolar Mike
1,19329
You don't have to buy or get a framing square : just measure the diagonals... That will tell you if either or both units are out of square.
If they are both ok, then look to the floor - small change in the floor will make a large gap at the top... Then you need some adjustable feet of some sort.
answered Apr 7 at 14:56
Solar MikeSolar Mike
1,19329
answered Apr 7 at 14:56
Solar MikeSolar Mike
1,19329
answered Apr 7 at 14:56
Solar MikeSolar Mike
1,19329
answered Apr 7 at 14:56
Solar MikeSolar Mike
1,19329
1,19329
3
Well, yes they won't. That's my point. Neither for a parallelogram, a trapezoid, ... The diagonals will be equal, like for a square.
– WoJ
Apr 8 at 13:24
5
@WoJ a parallogram does not have equal diagonals, but they do bisect each other... So, the method I suggested is still valid. You may find this helpful : mathplanet.com/education/geometry/quadrilaterals/…
– Solar Mike
Apr 8 at 13:31
1
(a parallelogram having equal length diagonals ... pfff ... the shame ...) :)
– WoJ
Apr 8 at 13:37
1
@WoJ I think we can assume that the top and bottom are the same length, and the left and right sides are the same length, so it is a parallelogram and the trick with the diagonals works.
– David Richerby
Apr 8 at 14:55
3
@WoJ - "a parallelogram having equal length diagonals", yeah, I've heard of them, they are called rectangles.
– Glen Yates
Apr 8 at 21:57
|
show 11 more comments
3
Well, yes they won't. That's my point. Neither for a parallelogram, a trapezoid, ... The diagonals will be equal, like for a square.
– WoJ
Apr 8 at 13:24
5
@WoJ a parallogram does not have equal diagonals, but they do bisect each other... So, the method I suggested is still valid. You may find this helpful : mathplanet.com/education/geometry/quadrilaterals/…
– Solar Mike
Apr 8 at 13:31
1
(a parallelogram having equal length diagonals ... pfff ... the shame ...) :)
– WoJ
Apr 8 at 13:37
1
@WoJ I think we can assume that the top and bottom are the same length, and the left and right sides are the same length, so it is a parallelogram and the trick with the diagonals works.
– David Richerby
Apr 8 at 14:55
3
@WoJ - "a parallelogram having equal length diagonals", yeah, I've heard of them, they are called rectangles.
– Glen Yates
Apr 8 at 21:57
3
3
Well, yes they won't. That's my point. Neither for a parallelogram, a trapezoid, ... The diagonals will be equal, like for a square.
– WoJ
Apr 8 at 13:24
Well, yes they won't. That's my point. Neither for a parallelogram, a trapezoid, ... The diagonals will be equal, like for a square.
– WoJ
Apr 8 at 13:24
5
5
@WoJ a parallogram does not have equal diagonals, but they do bisect each other... So, the method I suggested is still valid. You may find this helpful : mathplanet.com/education/geometry/quadrilaterals/…
– Solar Mike
Apr 8 at 13:31
@WoJ a parallogram does not have equal diagonals, but they do bisect each other... So, the method I suggested is still valid. You may find this helpful : mathplanet.com/education/geometry/quadrilaterals/…
– Solar Mike
Apr 8 at 13:31
1
1
(a parallelogram having equal length diagonals ... pfff ... the shame ...) :)
– WoJ
Apr 8 at 13:37
(a parallelogram having equal length diagonals ... pfff ... the shame ...) :)
– WoJ
Apr 8 at 13:37
1
1
@WoJ I think we can assume that the top and bottom are the same length, and the left and right sides are the same length, so it is a parallelogram and the trick with the diagonals works.
– David Richerby
Apr 8 at 14:55
@WoJ I think we can assume that the top and bottom are the same length, and the left and right sides are the same length, so it is a parallelogram and the trick with the diagonals works.
– David Richerby
Apr 8 at 14:55
3
3
@WoJ - "a parallelogram having equal length diagonals", yeah, I've heard of them, they are called rectangles.
– Glen Yates
Apr 8 at 21:57
@WoJ - "a parallelogram having equal length diagonals", yeah, I've heard of them, they are called rectangles.
– Glen Yates
Apr 8 at 21:57
|
show 11 more comments
I have used interscrews (e.g. from screwfix) in the past to join units together to make them line up nice and tight.
answered Apr 8 at 7:31
DorisDoris
1812
New contributor
Doris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Thanks--those look like they would be helpful.
– johnnyb1970
Apr 8 at 20:54
add a comment |
I have used interscrews (e.g. from screwfix) in the past to join units together to make them line up nice and tight.
answered Apr 8 at 7:31
DorisDoris
1812
New contributor
Doris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Thanks--those look like they would be helpful.
– johnnyb1970
Apr 8 at 20:54
add a comment |
I have used interscrews (e.g. from screwfix) in the past to join units together to make them line up nice and tight.
answered Apr 8 at 7:31
DorisDoris
1812
New contributor
Doris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I have used interscrews (e.g. from screwfix) in the past to join units together to make them line up nice and tight.
answered Apr 8 at 7:31
DorisDoris
1812
New contributor
Doris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered Apr 8 at 7:31
DorisDoris
1812
New contributor
Doris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered Apr 8 at 7:31
DorisDoris
1812
answered Apr 8 at 7:31
DorisDoris
1812
1812
New contributor
Doris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Doris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Doris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Thanks--those look like they would be helpful.
– johnnyb1970
Apr 8 at 20:54
add a comment |
Thanks--those look like they would be helpful.
– johnnyb1970
Apr 8 at 20:54
Thanks--those look like they would be helpful.
– johnnyb1970
Apr 8 at 20:54
Thanks--those look like they would be helpful.
– johnnyb1970
Apr 8 at 20:54
add a comment |
If the shelves are sturdy, just get some molding and cover the junction of the two units. Nail the molding to only one unit so they can be easily separated if you want to move them.
answered Apr 7 at 14:37
Jim StewartJim Stewart
11.9k11332
add a comment |
If the shelves are sturdy, just get some molding and cover the junction of the two units. Nail the molding to only one unit so they can be easily separated if you want to move them.
answered Apr 7 at 14:37
Jim StewartJim Stewart
11.9k11332
add a comment |
If the shelves are sturdy, just get some molding and cover the junction of the two units. Nail the molding to only one unit so they can be easily separated if you want to move them.
answered Apr 7 at 14:37
Jim StewartJim Stewart
11.9k11332
If the shelves are sturdy, just get some molding and cover the junction of the two units. Nail the molding to only one unit so they can be easily separated if you want to move them.
answered Apr 7 at 14:37
Jim StewartJim Stewart
11.9k11332
answered Apr 7 at 14:37
Jim StewartJim Stewart
11.9k11332
answered Apr 7 at 14:37
Jim StewartJim Stewart
11.9k11332
answered Apr 7 at 14:37
Jim StewartJim Stewart
11.9k11332
11.9k11332
add a comment |
add a comment |
I would turn the left bookcase upside down. If the other side of the left bookcase is more square, or slants to the right, this will fix your problem.
answered Apr 10 at 5:18
spacetyperspacetyper
14318
add a comment |
I would turn the left bookcase upside down. If the other side of the left bookcase is more square, or slants to the right, this will fix your problem.
answered Apr 10 at 5:18
spacetyperspacetyper
14318
add a comment |
I would turn the left bookcase upside down. If the other side of the left bookcase is more square, or slants to the right, this will fix your problem.
answered Apr 10 at 5:18
spacetyperspacetyper
14318
I would turn the left bookcase upside down. If the other side of the left bookcase is more square, or slants to the right, this will fix your problem.
answered Apr 10 at 5:18
spacetyperspacetyper
14318
answered Apr 10 at 5:18
spacetyperspacetyper
14318
answered Apr 10 at 5:18
spacetyperspacetyper
14318
answered Apr 10 at 5:18
spacetyperspacetyper
14318
14318
add a comment |
add a comment |
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29
Is it possible that some portion of the gap is due to variation of the floor?
– Michael Karas♦
Apr 7 at 14:15
19
You should get a tool called a framing square so that you can check squareness rather than guess. Maybe it is possible for you to remove the back of one unit and spring the shelves into square and reattach the back to hold it in the square shape. It is not quite clear how the backs are fabricated and the worst could be that you would have to make a new back.
– Michael Karas♦
Apr 7 at 14:19
3
@MichaelKaras -- Your comments would make a good answer.
– Jasper
Apr 8 at 0:45
@MichaelKaras: This is good advice, but I would add: check the framing square for squareness! I once spent a frustrating hour trying to figure out why no matter how I tried, the jig I was building would not come out square. I realized eventually that I was not crazy, it was the square that was wrong. A solid steel square presumably made by professionals was 89 degrees.
– Eric Lippert
Apr 9 at 0:57
2
Now that you've fixed it, please post an updated picture so we can all sleep at night.
– DavidS
Apr 9 at 16:58