On 15/11/2010 10:48, Stephen wrote:
Hello,

I am thinking of making a book case or should I say shelf unit, as I
may use it for cds and dvds too.

Based on my experience of this house, the walls appear to be 8'x4'
plasterboard that is only supported by 1.5"x1.5" wood at the edges,
yes that's right, 4' centres! The plasterboard seems to be re enforced
by splashing some plaster on the inside of the wall and pressing
cardboard squares into it, to give the appearance of something
resembling an egg box with square holes.

As the studs are very insubstantial and few and far between, I don't
think screwing to the wall is a good idea. Though I could demolish and
rebuild the wall, I think a free standing unit might be a quicker and
cleaner way to do things.

If I use melamine faced chip because it's cheap and readily available,
unless you have a better idea?

If you enjoy making things then fair enough, but if saving money is your
main objective I suggest you just buy a cheap bookcase. By the time you
have included all the costs making one will probably work out
significantly more expensive. Things like the screws you need being
sold in packs of 200 when you only want 12 and needing to buy a 2.4m of
chipboard when you any want a couple of feet for the last shelf can soon
add up.