Adam Savage Builds Bookshelves for Mrs. Donttrythis!

Adam invites us into his home to take a look at a beloved bookcase system that's in need of expansion. Instead of ordering three more shelf sections from the original manufacturer, Adam's going to make his own version of these walnut shelves in the shop. Time to break out the planer and see if Adam can make exact copies of his home bookshelves!

BONUS CONTENT FROM THIS BUILD:

Shot by Adam Savage and edited by Josh Self
Music by Jinglepunks

Join this channel to support Tested and get access to perks:

Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman

Thanks for watching!

#adamsavage #onedaybuilds #woodworking

[faheemali]

I love how with all the super detailed complicated and skilled work Adam has shown over the years he draws the line at dovetails

[Ethorthehunter]

When I watch Adam, sometimes I am like "He is so meticulous and safe and sets everything up so perfectly." And then other times you get a video like this where he just does something because he can and hes cutting boards on top of boxes. Makers are the best. Thanks for being human Adam.

[altoidyoda]

As a woodworker, I'd love to see more woodworking content. There is a little bit of an issue with your design though. The joint is glued up cross grain. So the sides can't expand with the bottom. The dowels will probably hold everything together, but I think given enough time, the bottom will crack. (Notice with the original shelves, the grain wraps around in the same direction.) That being said, I know woodworkers like me are sometimes more paranoid about wood movement than they need to be, so it's possible the shelf is narrow enough not to be terribly affected. Anyway, more woodworking videos!

[danielkeating]

Give it time, the finish will become closer as the natural light does its thing. I love the original dovetail detail but I quite like your solution, and I LOVE items like this that are amended throughout their life rather than replaced. These are the items that your family will cherish long after you are shuffling around in the cave.

[Jolclark]

I'm not going to lie, that double Adam cut scene caught me off guard. Very cool effect

[kylemustachia]

They look awesome.

Next time you might change the grain direction on your end pieces. The original had the grain on the base and ends going parallel to one another. Your grain on the end pieces goes perpendicular to the bottom piece. So when the bottom piece expands/contracts in the front to back direction it may cause a gap to form on the ends, which will contract top to bottom. If extreme it could possible crack the bottom. Also… it may not end up being a big deal at all.

Regardless, it’ll probably not be noticeable, and they look great. It’s nice seeing you do detailed woodwork; would love to see more.

[Warshipmodelsunderway]

For future note, making four shelves, and then sacrificing one of the existing shelves to slice into strips to glue to the front would give you an excellent match. That said, the system looks fine - wood is a natural product and variations are part of the aesthetic. Never knew about the guitar aged lacquer, going to file that away for future use - thanks!

[chasm]

Adam, just in case you weren't aware you can get a dovetail jig for a router that with a bit of fine tuning will give you great looking machined dovetails and be simple to use. Rockler has one for around $200 that is perfectly fine for the price. The company you've gotten the shelves from likely uses a very similar method to make their own dovetails.

[UndeaKnight]

That layered shot going into the milling timelapse is wonderful! Bravo!

[ericheft]

Those are some neat bookshelves. Next week the OCD kicks in and Adam takes the new shelves out and either touches them up to be a closer match or builds 15 new shelves so they all match!

[MrUltimateer]

The shelves will lighten up over time and with exposure to the sun. Nice project!

[zacharypardo]

The edit into the next clip with him keyed out was great. So unique and definitely went back to see it again

[ElChris]

First off, the wood color and grain is simply gorgeous. I respect his decision to forgo the dovetailing. I really enjoyed watching this project.

[kayeeiland]

Love the process - from brain to installation- including the finessing of relocating what's seen and tucking in what is now unseen !
Another satisfying task is completed ! Thank you for bringing us along !

[alanmoberly]

My dad and I ran a small shop for over thirty years. I like how you used your milling machine.

[Kris_at_WhiteOaksFarm]

Rather than stacking the darker fronts, I'd scatter them randomly amongst the others for an intentional random factory variation look. Regardless, they came out beautifully. That Walnut must have been a pleasure to work with.

[danoconnell]

Only just realizing that in many years of watching Adam build stuff, I can't remember him ever doing woodwork. Cool!

[princequestly]

I think they look great and work perfectly for your need.

[daletheparty]

Love to see woodworking! My only critique is that your side panels are running perpendicular to the bottom and that will inevitably cause wood movement issues at that joint.

[mromutt]

lol I love when the editor just does things to entertain themselves like imposing Adam over Adam working, we see you XD we appreciate it