DIY Copper Pipe Bookcase

Are you wondering if copper pipe is my only craft supply on hand yet? Well surprisingly it is not but if you are into DIY or crafting you have most likely gone through phases and this is my copper pipe phase.

And I don’t know about you but I am always needing more places to house my books or craft supplies. I was really wanting to buy a new cart or bookcase but didn’t want to spend the money and thought I could fashion something up at a reduced cost. And this project ended up costing me about $50 so half the price of the cart that I wanted.  

Materials
• 1/2 ” thick Copper pipe (you need about 24 feet so buy 5 5ft or 3 10ft pipes)
• Gorilla glue
• Pipe cutter
• Two shelves – 8″ by 24″
• 12 pressure tees
• 4 90 degree elbows (+4 more optional ones)

1. Cut your copper pipe into the following dimensions: 6 pieces 24″, 4 pieces 2 1/2″, 2 pieces 3 1/2″, 8 pieces 16″

2. First you will construct the bottom of the bookcase according to the below diagram. It is easiest to put this together where you intend to have the bookcase so keep that in mind while making it.

Place the 24″ piece down first and then you will attach the elbows on each end, followed by the 2 1/2″ piece and a then a pressure tee, the 3 1/2″ piece and then another pressure tee and then lastly another 2 1/2″ piece.

3. Add the gorilla glue to the inside of each pipe piece or fitting. This will help secure the pipe and make the bookcase stable.

4. One the bottom is put together, you will add the 16″ pieces to the pressure tees like below. Next, attach a pressure tee to each 16″ piece and then add the seocnd 16″ piece. 

5. See the below photos to visualize the construction.

6. Add the remaining four 24″ long pieces to the pressure tees like below. These are where the shelves will rest.

7. Place the two shelves on top of the pipes. 

8. You can either keep the bookcase as is or add on elbows to the top like I did.