Skirting board cut horizontally

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I want to create a base to sit a custom made book shelf into. I was planning to cut my skirting board (fitted on wall) horizontally with a multi cutter. The length of the cut will be 2.4m. The back of the book shelf can rest here and I will create a plinth on the front. It’s got a new blade on the multi cutter.

Will I be okay with this approach?

Thanks in advance
 
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Just fix square edged timber to skirting at same height so shelf sails over existing skirting.? No point cutting skirting.
 
If the bookcase sits on a timber screwed to the skirting, it won’t be flush against the wall. Unless I scribe the back of the book case. Feels like a lot of work.

Also, I don’t think it will be as strong as sitting on the skirting board?
 
Depends how your skirting board is fixed to the wall....another vote for scribing the bookcase (unless its an antique) or just build a plinth the same height as the skirting so the back edge of the bookshelf sits on the top of the skirting.
Cutting 2400 of your skirting horizontally with your multitool will take ages and good odds you won't get a straight cut. Also, when you (or someone else) decides to move the bookcase in a couple of years time you'll have a right mess to deal with.
 
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If the bookcase sits on a timber screwed to the skirting, it won’t be flush against the wall. Unless I scribe the back of the book case. Feels like a lot of work.

Also, I don’t think it will be as strong as sitting on the skirting board?
Yes it will sit flush, why not? OBND just repeated the instruction.
 
I’ve just re-read your message. Sorry, I misunderstood.

I will screw in a piece of timber to skirting board so it’s the same level as the top of the skirting board. This will provide the base for the back of the book shelf. I can then extend the plinth to support the front too.
 
I wouldn't cut the skirting board.
Unless the skirting is massive, most bookcases/ wardrobes don't sit on the floor.
I'd screw a sheet of ply/mdf to the wall, just above the skirting and build off that.
Then create a plinth to fill the bottom- this can support hidden legs if need be.
Almost every cupboard unit will be about 4" off the deck
 
UPDATE: mounted these battens and sitting my bookshelf (work-in progress) on these. I still need to build the front section.
 

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One thing I would have done differently - I would have made the outside ends (gable ends) out of single pieces of MDF running the full height. No joints. This makes for a stronger and more stable shelf unit and will be straight, whereas gable ends made up of multiple pieces joined together will always be weaker. You may also have issues with building the ends dead straight, and when you come to finish (I.e. paint) the completed unit you will find that all those joints will telegraph through the finish if not immediately, then later on.

Not trying to pour cold water on what you are doing (in fact I think it is looking pretty good so far), just pointing out what is the normal convention for building furniture units as well as hopefully explaining the reasoning behind it
 
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I always paint the mdf before the build, pain to paint all the nooks and crannies without paint runs.
 
Thanks for your help guys.
I decided to build a plinth which is set in 3cm from the side and front. To be honest with you, I wasn’t confident with scribing around the skirting board. Setting it in and having it out of site will allow me to bodge it slightly...
Also note that the gable is not one continuous piece from top to bottom. The design is staggered.

On painting, quite honestly need to plan and think it through. Expect a few more posts on that!

It’s all dry fitted currently and my immediate priority is now to glue and screw everything, attach to wall and then build out the rest of it.

I spent a few more hours today and made some further progress:
FCA6EBDD-2BF3-4BF9-A176-2D36DD56EE84.jpeg
 
I understand that the design is staggered, but the reasons I gave for not running the shelves through to the ends and having pieced uprights still stand
 
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