Shopping List

First thing's first...Shopping!! Hopefully you have a truck, or can borrow one, because you will need 3 sheets of plywood. I used 3/4 inch plywood for the base and 2 sheets of 3/8 inch for the sides and bookshelves. 1/2 inch would work just fine for the sides as well. Make sure you check it over to see if it is very bowed/warped. It never hurts to ask, so if I were you, I'd take the second or third sheet in the pile. The first one is usually a little bowed because it doesn't have any weight pressing down on it.

I bought pretty much all my supplies at Menards, but Lowe's or Home Depot should have what you need as well. I'm sure I will forget some things, but I will try to edit as needed. Considering I haven't completely finished my barn, I'm sure there will be other stuff I pick up. Here's a list to start you out:

• 1 sheet 3/4" plywood
• 2 sheets 3/8" plywood
• 220 grit sandpaper and 110 for rougher plywood( I buy them in the bulk 20 sheet packs)
• 1" finish nails - a bunch... (also called 1" brads sometimes)
  
• 1 box 1 1/4" wood screws - #8 size
  
• 3 boxes nuts and bolts - 3/4" long -#8 size (I believe there were 36 sets in my boxes)
• drill bits - 11/64" for drilling holes for bolts and one smaller for pilot holes for wood screws
  
• hurricane brackets (used in framing houses) At this point I have used probably 30 of them, but I'll have to count when I am finished to let you know. To see what they are, here's a link. They have been a lifesaver! Very sturdy and just what I needed to put it all together properly.
  

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/fasteners/connectors-reinforcements/truss-rafter-tie-downs/hurricane-seismic-anchors/hurricane-seismic-anchor-double-plate-reversible-1/p-1343106-c-8894.htm

• 11/32" socket to tighten bolts
• 4 corner brackets 3" big - comes in a pack of two (shown in picture)
  
• 4 adjustable 3-way brackets (same isle as hurricane brackets)
• primer (I primed it so I didn't have to use as much enamel paint. The brand was from Wal-Mart and had 1, 2, 3 in the title. It's supposed to go under/over any surface, and did a great job)
• paint (I used enamel tractor paint. It's tough and durable. 1 gallon Ford Red and 1 quart White. I got it at a farm supply store)
• PlastiDip (great stuff! I painted it over every single bolt, bracket, screw-head, etc. It creates a soft edge vs a sharp one so no one gets cut. I used the red kind, but since I painted over it I guess it doesn't matter what color you get. I got it at Menards. By using this liquid plastic, if I ever need to tighten anything I will be able to scrape it off and tighten the bolts, even with a coat of primer and 2 coats of enamel on top of it. If I had only painted, I do believe it would be nearly impossible to get the nuts on and off.
  

http://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip

• trim for edges - I have no idea how many feet you will need. I haven't gotten that far and haven't actually bought any because I have hundreds of pieces from my Granddad. To guesstimate, you will need:
• 12' of corner trim for outside straight edges
  
• trim for openings and edges ( I am routering a groove in the back of some 1" trim so it will sit flush with the outside, similar to shoe molding.
• 8' of 3" trim for bottom level of book display
• I did buy two 8' sections of tiny lattice trim to make window X's and a pretend hayloft on the front.

There might be some things I forgot to mention, so I will try to edit as quickly as possible and let you know what changes I made. :) If you haven't already figured it out, this is not a cheap project. BUT, it's for a good cause, it's tax-deductible, and it's been a lot of fun to build! I'm a little afraid to add up all my receipts, though. :S