Built in bookcase on sloping floor

[mrauspicious]

Hi

I have a large vinyl record collection that I want to build a built in bookcase/shelving unit for. Obviously it will need to bear a heavy load, I will use plywood for the bookcase with a base to support the bookcase.

It will be between two chimney breasts with four shelves, the chimney breasts are over 2000mm apart so the bookcase will span quite a long space.

The main problem I think I'm facing is that the floor isnt level - its an old Victorian terraced house with old floor joists and floorboards. Theres a four centre meter difference between the highest and lowest point. Its also complicated further by the slant not being uniform - there isnt a straight line from the highest to the lowest point.

In terms of aesthetics would the difference in height be a problem, would it being on a slant be too much? And if so, and bearing in mind the load that the unit wold have to support how would I go about levelling it out without compromising the structure?

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[Notch7]

just build a sub base first -made of timber with a ply top, scribe it so its dead level -screw it to the floor

then stick your bookshelves on top

hide the sub base with abit of skirting

I used to play vinyl, Ive got a Linn Sondek LP12 with a Naim pre / power amp, but theyve been up in the loft for a decade

Ive also got some immaculate 1960s Decca Verdi boxed sets which were my dads -I need to get around to selling them really

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

As above, like this, except I was a cheapskate and used a bit of old chipboard shelving I had lying around:

 

[mrauspicious]

just build a sub base first -made of timber with a ply top, scribe it so its dead level -screw it to the floor

then stick your bookshelves on top

hide the sub base with abit of skirting

I used to play vinyl, Ive got a Linn Sondek LP12 with a Naim pre / power amp, but theyve been up in the loft for a decade

Ive also got some immaculate 1960s Decca Verdi boxed sets which were my dads -I need to get around to selling them really

Excuse my ignorance but how would I scribe the base - I’ve scribed infils and shelves but never anything like that?

Nice set up, my I’ve got Technics Turntables and an amp from my DJing days but I should think about swapping them for something a bit more refined one day

I’m sure you know how much vinyl goes for these days, I’ve just sold some to pay for Christmas, crazy prices for some of it

 

[mrauspicious]

As above, like this, except I was a cheapskate and used a bit of old chipboard shelving I had lying around:

View attachment 366730

Thanks, that looks perfect. How did you make sure it’s all level?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

With a laser level, which you can see is the green lines in the pic. You can pick up levels for about £30 at Screwfix etc. Just fine for DIY, I have the Magnusson one, it does what it says.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

I've just done an Ikea bookcase hack, that is taking some cheapy bookcases from Ikea, reinforcing them somewhat so they're a bit more beefy and then making them look built in. I might do a write up in the Projects section over the hols.

 

[JohnD]

If you are not fond of woodwork, you can use the "legs" as sold for kitchen units, which have a wide plastic foot to spread the load, and legs that screw up and down for levelling. You can hide them with a removable kick plate recessed from the front, or possibly use matching skirting. The usual plastic ones are very inexpensive.

Modernist legs are available if you want exposed chrome or stainless.

Examples

https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/search?query=legs