Plans

Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Polar Bear Bookshelf

11.17.14 By //
The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Polar Bear Bookshelf

I might be more excited about this free furniture plan for a Polar Bear Bookshelf than a gal of my particular age should be, but seriously isn’t it the cutest thing you ever did see? Love. I can’t wait to see how you put your personal spin on this beauty for your gorgeous and special little ones this holiday season! Yahoo.

Check out the other fabulous plans in our Handmade Holiday series. I will be adding to them throughout the next few weeks and adding the previous plans that we have covered in the last few seasons as well as a whole slew of new plans you can choose from! Yippe! Xx… Rayan

Finished Project for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Polar Bear Bookshelf
Estimated Cost
$125-$175
Dimensions
Dimensions for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Polar Bear Bookshelf
Lumber
  • 1 – 1/4” plywood at – 4’x8’
  • 2 – 1/2” plywood at – 4’x8′
Cut List

// Refer to specific steps in this plan before cutting pieces – some pieces are cut with angled ends and their exact measurements may differ from the measurements listed below. Measurements listed below are PRE-BEVEL dimensions and the actual end measurements will change once cut according to specific steps.

  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x18-1/2” – Center Top
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x18” – Center Middle
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x19” – Center Bottom
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x27-3/16” – Center Side A
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x24” – Center Side B
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x18” – Chest Top
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x12” – Chest Bottom
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x16-3/4” – Chest Side A
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x21-1/4” – Chest Side B
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x12” – Chest Angle
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x9-3/4” – Head Top
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x10-15/16” – Head Bottom
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x3” – Eye
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x6” – Nose Top
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x3-1/2” – Nose Bottom
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x14-1/16” – Front Leg Frontside
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x16” – Front Leg Backside
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x3” – Front Leg Bottom
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x11” – Rear Top
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x22” – Rear Middle
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x17” – Rear Bottom
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x19-1/2” – Rear Angle A
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x16” – Rear Angle B
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x15” – Tail Vertical Piece A
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x4-1/2” – Tail Vertical Piece B
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x3” – Tail Angle Piece
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x9-1/2” – Back Leg Frontside
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x12” – Back Leg Backside
  • 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-3/4”x3” – Back Leg Bottom
  • 1/4” plywood, cut to fit – Bear Bookcase Back

*Refer to plan before cutting pieces – some pieces are cut with angled ends and their exact measurements may differ from the measurements listed above.

Instructions

Before beginning to build, always check in on my site to make sure you have the most up to date set of plans, I occasionally update and change the plans to make the building process easier or to allow for less expensive purchasing of materials! Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.

Step 1 for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Polar Bear Bookshelf
Step 1

Cut the pieces for the Center Top, Center Middle, Center Bottom, and Center Side A and B. Set the Kreg jig for 1/2” material and drill pocket holes in the both ends of the Center Top and Center Middle. Drill pocket holes in the bottom ends of the Center Side A and Center Side B. Assemble pieces as shown with glue and 1” pocket screws.

Step 2 for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Polar Bear Bookshelf
Step 2

Cut the pieces for the Chest Top, Chest Bottom, Chest Side A, Chest Side B, and Chest Angle. Drill pocket holes in the ends of the Chest Bottom, Chest Side B and Chest Angle. Drill pocket holes in the right side of the Chest Top and the top end of Chest Side A. Assemble pieces as shown with glue and 1” pocket screws.

Step 3 for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Polar Bear Bookshelf
Step 3

Cut the pieces for the Head Top, Head Bottom, Eye, Nose Top and Nose Bottom. Drill pocket holes in the ends of the Head Top and the Nose Top pieces. Drill pocket holes in the bottom end of the Nose Bottom and the right side of the Head Bottom. Assemble as shown with glue and 1” pocket screws.

Step 4 for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Polar Bear Bookshelf
Step 4

Cut the pieces for the Front Leg Frontside, Front Leg Backside, and Front Leg Bottom. Drill pocket holes in the ends of the Front Leg Backside. Drill pocket holes in the bottom end of the Front Leg Frontside. Assemble as shown with glue and 1” pocket screws.

Step 5 for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Polar Bear Bookshelf
Step 5

Cut the pieces for the Rear Top, Rear Middle, Rear Bottom, Rear Angle A, and Rear Angle B. Drill pocket holes in both ends of the Rear Angle A, Rear Angle B, and Rear Middle. Drill a pocket hole in the right end of the Rear Top and the right end of the Rear Bottom piece. Assemble as shown with glue and 1” pocket screws.

Step 6 for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Polar Bear Bookshelf

Cut the pieces for the Tail Vertical Piece A, Tail Vertical Piece B, Tail Angle Piece, Back Leg Frontside, Back Leg Backside, and Back Leg Bottom. Drill pocket holes in both ends of the Tail Vertical Piece A, Tail Angle Piece, and Back Leg Backside. Drill pocket holes in the bottom end of the Back Leg Frontside. Assemble as shown with glue and 1” pocket screws.

Step 7 for The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans // How to Build a Polar Bear Bookshelf
Step 7

Lay the fully assembled piece on the floor on top of the 1/4” plywood. Trace around the assembled piece. Cut the traced shape out with a jigsaw. Attach the 1/4” plywood Back to the assembled piece with glue and 1-1/4” brad nails.

Finishing Instructions

Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School

// Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you ONLY use 1 image and provide an ADEQUATE link back to the original source and appropriate plan! Plans from this page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Design Confidential. By accessing or using any part of the web site, you agree to become bound by the terms and conditions of this website as outlined under Terms of Use. If you do not agree to all the terms and conditions of this agreement, then you may not access the Website or use any services. The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by The Design Confidential.com and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, personal injury or death, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of information or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website. I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a clear understanding of how the project works before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or inaccuracy so that I might fix it. The Design Confidential.com is inspired by but does not replicate exact designs, any similarities between these plans and items sold at specialty retailers is coincidential and not endorsed by or related to any said retailers. // Post May Contain Affiliate Links

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