Art Klass
Rainman
Here we go....
The side panels on this unit are 5/8" and the shelves are 1/2". I routered
1/2" grooves into the side panels 1/4" deep. The shelves are secured with wood glue and wooden dowels as pins. Here is a little more detail.
Place the 1/2" bit in your router at the depth you want. clamp a straight edge guide on a scrap piece of wood and router the wood using the guide. Draw a line on the scrap wood where the guide is. Measure the distance between the line and the top of the routered groove. This distance is how far your guide needs to be away from where you need your groove on your side panels.
When you router your grooves I place both side panels next to each other and router both sides at the same time. Make sure that all of your work is square!
Once the grooves are complete measure and mark inside the grooves where you want your pins. Use an awl to start a hole for the drill bit. If you are using 1/4" dowels then use a much smaller drill bit to first drill your holes.
Using clamps, straps and three hands glue the shelves and panels together. This is a real pain in the ass. I recommend using a friend. I usually go for it myself and wish I had waited for a little help. Don't get glue on your finished work. Anyway....
Then put masking tape on the finished side of the work over the small holes. Drill 1/4" holes at a 1" depth from the finished side through the tape. This gives you a smooth finished hole. I actually cut my own pins and taper one end with a palm sander. I make them just under 1" which is the depth of the hole. Apply a drop or two of glue inside the hole and insert the pin using a rubber mallet to protect your work. You will need a 1/4" punch to make the pins flush with the panel.
The pins will stain a slightly darker color but that's kind of cool.
Be advised! There may be a better way to do all of the. I just haven't figured it out yet. Best of luck.