How to understand timber sizes for building a shoe rack?

I am a beginner in woodworking and wanted to start building from a smaller DIY project. I have a plan for a bookshelf which I will be using as a shoe rack. In the plan the timber sizes are as follows:

1x2 8'

1x1 8'

Now, I understand the 8' = 2.4m but how about the 1x2 and 1x1?

Also, which type of timber to be used in the project as the shoe rack will be stored in the garage.

Thank you in advance.

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JacobZ

Hi @Prag000,

Thank you for your question and welcome to the Bunnings workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

A 1x2 is a piece of timber that is 1 inch by 2 inches, or 25x50mm and a 1x1 is 1 inch by 1 inch, or 25x25mm.

These terms can be a bit confusing because they refer to the nominal dimensions of the timber when it is rough sawn from lumber at a mill. After they are sawn to 1x2 or 1x1, the rough lumber is then planed down to a finished piece of timber.

The closest you will find to these sizes in metric are 18x18mm and 42x18mm. This will obviously require some adjustments to be made to the construction plans.

I'd be happy to have a look at them if you required assistance with this.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

Prag000

Thank you, Jacob.

Prag000

Hi Jacob,

Does bunnings carry 18mm x 18mm and 42mm x 18mm timbers?

Thanks

Prag

JacobZ

Hi @Prag000,

They sure do.

You'll notice that I've linked to the search results for these measurements in my comment above.

I've done this because suppliers are different in different areas. If you click on the above links, you should be taken to the results with products that are available in your location.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

Prag000

Brilliant, thank you.

Prag000

Hi Jacob,

If I have the cut list in INCHES and not in MMs, can bunnings cut as per my requirements?

Kind regards,

Pragnesh

JacobZ

Hi @Prag000,

It's best that we convert the cut list to metric as all of our saws are set up with metric scales.

If you posted the plans, I'd be happy to convert them to metric and make some redesigns to fit the different timber sizes.

Jacob

Prag000

Hi Jocob,

Plans attached.

Many thanks for your assistance.

Kind regards, Bookshelf cut list.png Workbench cut list.png

Prag

JacobZ

Hi @Prag000,

Are there any photos of the finished bookcase in the plans?

I'm concerned that if I just convert the lengths to metric, the changed size of the timber will make it incompatible with the plans.

Seeing the finished product will help me make sure everything fits together properly.

Let me know how you go.

Jacob

JacobZ

Hi @Prag000,

Please see the below conversions based on the above image.

As I said, converting from imperial to metric throws up some inconsistent measurements, this is why I have added the rounded conversion column.

If you were able to provide some more details from the plans or even send a link to them, I'd be happy to have a look through them to make sure everything is compatible.

Jacob

Prag000

Hi Jocob,

Thanks for that, I have pdf plans but cannot attach here.

Is there any other ways I can share the pdf plans?

Kind regards

Pragnesh

Jason

Can you save the PDF as an image file @Prag000?

Then you can add the images here.

Alternatively, you can email them to workshop@bunnings.com.au and we can convert them for you.

Thanks,

Jason

Prag000

Attached here is a bookshelf plan, which I want to use as a shoe rack adding more shelfs.

MitchellMc

Hi @Prag000,

I see my colleague has provided some conversions for your project. As they touched on, due to there not being a direct equivalent sized timber in our metric system and then that those specified timber might not be available off the shelf, it's important to understand that imperial plans are put together for the American market and the timber sizes they commonly use. It is extremely difficult to alter plans to go from imperial to metric and have them still make sense. By slightly changing the timber sizes called for you also throw out the assemble instructions. @JacobZ has done a great job with conversions, but it has to be said that sometimes it's not possible to convert plans, and if none are available in metric, you might be better off starting from scratch and designing your own plans.

Now that you have the conversions, you'll just need to be careful when assembling the unit. Use the instructions as a guide, but remember that they're for the original imperial version. If something doesn't look right, stop and post an update so we can help troubleshoot.

Mitchell

Prag000

No problem, thanks Mitchell.

Prag000

Hi Mitchell,

Please see the attached plan what I want to make. Could you please send me the cut list?

The plywood will be 18mm thick.

Thanks

MitchellMc

Hi @Prag000,

Above my colleague @JacobZ provided details of the sizes required for your project. I'll include them again here.

Mitchell

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