Whittier Wood Furniture AUF McKenzie 1553AUF User manual

P.O. Box 2827
Eugene, OR 97402 USA
Production Code:
Congratulations!
This fine piece of furniture will make a gorgeous addition to
your home. For the best results, read the Assembly
Instructions and Finishing Hints before you begin your
project.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
• For normal household use only. Not recommended for commercial use.
• Do not climb, sit or stand on this piece of furniture.
• Do not overload the shelves.
• Unload items before you move this unit.
• Before you load or move this unit, tighten all screws and supports.
• For maximum stability, attach unit to the wall using the enclosed
hardware as per instructions and supports.
• Before you begin your project, completely read the Assembly
Instructions and Finishing Hints.
• Store this item: 1- in its box; 2- in a dry place; 3- in temperatures that
range from 40°F to 90°F (not on a cold and possibly damp cement
floor).
• Periodically inspect your furniture for any loose glue joints, screws or
any other problem that might affect the stability of your furniture.
Tighten or repair as needed.
WARNING
Serious or fatal crushing injuries can occur from furniture tip-over. Use of
tip-over restraints may only reduce but not eliminate the risk of tip-over.
To help prevent tip-over:
•Place heaviest items in the bottom drawers.
•Unless specifically designed to accommodate, do not set TVs or other
heavy objects on top of this product.
•Never allow children to climb or hang on drawers, doors or shelves.
•Never open more than one drawer at a time.
Warning: At least one tipping restraint kit was included with your piece of
Whittier Wood Furniture. When you receive your furniture, be sure to find
and properly install the tipping restraint(s). If you cannot locate the
restraint(s), please contact us immediately for replacement.
Notice to California Customers
California Prop 65 requires consumer goods to be labeled if any one of
850+ different chemicals or substances, including wood dust, is present
even in trace amounts. Drilling, sawing, sanding or machining wood
products generates wood dust, a substance known to the State of
California to cause cancer. Warning: This product contains a chemical
or substance known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth
defects or other reproductive harm. California Health and Safety Code
Section 25249.6
DESIGN SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
CALL US FIRST! Do not return this item to the store
Service Policy: We will replace any part that is defective,
missing or damaged during assembly. For a replacement
part, directly contact Whittier Wood Products customer
service department by phone, fax, mail or email.
Hours: Our friendly customer service staff can be reached
Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). You
may leave a message 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
To Order: Provide the furniture model number (upper
portion of this page), the part letter, production code,
quantity needed, reason for replacement and your full
name, address and telephone number.
Parts ship from our Eugene, Oregon factory within one or
two business days from the time we receive your request.
Please allow five to ten business days for delivery.
800-653-3336 • Outside the U.S. or Canada: 541-687-0213 • Fax: [phone]
www.whittierwood.com • P.O. Box 2827 • Eugene, Oregon 97402, U.S.A.
10/13
1554AUF
48" x 72"
1556AUF
48" x 84"
1553AUF
48" x 60"
Assembly Instructions
Model #
1553AUF; 1554AUF;
1556AUF
AUF McKenzie Alder Bookcase

Page 3 — 1553AUF_1554AUF_1556AUF — 10/13
Bookcase Tipping Restraint Instructions
Before you begin this assembly, identify each part and make sure the quantities received match what is on this
list. If you need to replace a part, contact Whittier Wood Furniture customer service and refer to the following
list for its name and letter code.
Part Description Quantity
A Cam Buckle and Short Strap (installed) 1
BPlastic Bracket (installed) 1
C 1" x 1000mm Long Strap (installed) 1
D#8 x 3" Pan Head Screw 2
F Washer (installed) 1
G#8 x 5/8" Pan Head Screw 2 (1 inserted)
H#8 x 1-1/4" Pan Head Screw 1
I“L” Angle Bracket 1
If you have a stone or tile floor or do not wish to drive screws into the corner of the baseboard
and floor see the instruction included inside the tipping restraint kit for an alternate installation.
3.
Fig. 3
D x 2
Fig. 3a Wall
Floor
D
Floor
Baseboard
Decide where you want to place the bookcase in your room. Mark the baseboard with a pencil
mark directly behind the location where the tipping restraint is attached to your item. Move the
item away from the wall far enough to allow you to access the spot where the baseboard meets
the floor. Position the straps and Plastic Bracket (B) as shown in Figures 3 and 3a with the
angled corners of the Plastic Bracket (B) firmly placed against the seam of the baseboard and
floor. Attach by driving #8 x 3" Pan Head Screws (D) through the holes in the Plastic Bracket (B)
into the seam below the baseboard where it meets the floor. See Figures 3 and 3a.

Page 4 — 1553AUF_1554AUF_1556AUF — 10/13
Move the item back into position against the wall and reach underneath the bookcase to grasp
the loop in the free end of the strap. Pull the free end of the strap until portion between the Cam
Buckle (A) and the bottom of the item is tight. See Figures 4 and 4a. If you need to move the
bookcase reach beneath and locate the buckle which connects the two sections of the strap and
depress the release lever, then pull on the section of strap that is between the buckle and the
bottom of the furniture until there is enough slack to allow you to pull the item away from the wall.
4.
Fig. 4a
Fig. 4 C
Wall
Floor

Whittier Finishing Hints
P.O. Box 2827
Eugene, OR 97402 USA
Toll Free: 800-653-3336
Ph: 541-687-0213
Fax: [phone]
www.whittierwood.com Page 1 of 2
Rev. 06/13
Checklist of materials
□Rubber gloves
□Lint-free rags
□Paper towels
□Cotton swabs
□Tack cloth
□Drop cloth
□Stain brushes
(poly bristle
and foam)
□#220 & #320
sandpaper
□Painter’s tape
□Wood glue
□Dust mask
CAUTION: If you have environmental or chemical
sensitivities, please take the necessary precautions and
use personal protective equipment to aid in limiting your
exposure. Personal protective equipment may include but
are not limited to gloves, dust masks or respirators.
NOTICE TO CALIFORNIA CUSTOMERS: California Prop
65 requires consumer goods to be labeled if any one of
850+ different chemicals or substances, including wood
dust, is present, even in trace amounts. Drilling, sawing,
sanding or machining wood products generates wood
dust, a substance known to the State of California to
cause cancer. Warning: This product contains a chemical
or substance known to the State of California to cause
cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
California Health and Safety Code Section 25249.6
Getting started
Assembly Instructions may contain special finishing
information or gluing requirements for that item.
Completely read both the Assembly Instructions and these
Finishing Hints before you begin your project.
Choosing the finish: Ask your retailer for advice on how
to finish bare wood. Choose a finish that meets your
expectations for the end use of the product. Will you use it
as a work surface as on a desk or kitchen island? Are you
matching a finish on existing furniture? The answers to
these questions may affect the type of finish you choose.
Where to work: Choose an area that has good light and
is well ventilated, warm and dry. If the work area is cold
and damp, the wood finishing products may require a
longer drying time than the labels indicate. Do not work in a
dirty or dusty area – dirt and/or dust can embed in the
finish.
Gluing hints
These are general hints. Refer to the Assembly
Instructions for detailed information on how to glue your
specific product. Use wood glue such as Elmer’s Wood
Glue, Titebond Wood Glue or the equivalent. Some
instructions call for a slow drying epoxy glue. Carefully
read the label and instructions of the glue manufacturer.
Your unit may not need glue.
1. We strongly recommend that you lay out all the parts
and familiarize yourself with how they fit together
before assembling with glue. Glue will set up quickly.
You can damage parts if you try to reposition any that
have been assembled incorrectly.
2. For glue to properly bond, it is very important to apply
the wood glue to bare wood. Protect your eyes and
blow into holes to clear excess dust. This will help the
glue to adhere to a clean surface.
3. If you plan on finishing the product before you
assemble it, place painter’s tape three-fourths of the
way up from the end of a dowel, spindle or tenon. This
protects the ends from the finishing product but allows
finish application where it will be visible. Finishing
products inhibit the bonding properties of wood glue.
Remove the tape prior to the final assembly.
4. Avoid getting glue on surfaces to be finished. Most
stains or finishes will not penetrate where glue has
been spilled. Wet glue can be wiped off with a damp
cloth. Follow with a light sanding of the area to ensure
a proper finish.
5. It is important to apply an even coat inside holes and
slots. Use a small dowel, pencil or cotton swab to
spread glue evenly around the inside of the holes. Do
not over glue. The tight fit of the spindles or dowels in
the holes can cause glue to be pushed to the bottom of
the hole. If too much glue is used it will fill the holes
and not allow the spindle or dowel to be fully inserted.
6. Glue usually takes several hours to cure or harden but
it will set up or grab in several seconds. Once you
begin final assembly, proceed quickly.
Finishing hints
1. Use products of the same brand to ensure
compatibility. It is not recommended to mix solvent
based and water based finishes. Always read and
follow all label directions on the can.
2. Alder is a porous hardwood and often looks best when
following the finishing instructions for softwoods.
3. Use a wood conditioner under oil base stains.

Whittier Finishing Hints
P.O. Box 2827
Eugene, OR 97402 USA
Toll Free: 800-653-3336
Ph: 541-687-0213
Fax: [phone]
www.whittierwood.com Page 2 of 2
Rev. 06/13
Preparing the surface
1. Sand each piece with #220 grit sandpaper. Sand with
the grain of the wood on flat surfaces and opposite the
grain on turnings. Some parts may be plywood. Be
careful not to sand through the veneer. End grain such
as table top ends, seat edges and grooves on turnings
accept more stain. Extra sanding in these areas with
#320 grit sandpaper reduces stain absorption and
creates a more evenly stained piece.
2. When sanding is completed, wipe the surface of your
furniture with a lint-free rag or tack cloth. Make sure the
item is free of dust before you proceed.
Staining
1. Always read and follow all label directions. Stir the
stain well before you start. Stir periodically throughout
the duration of the project to maintain uniform color
consistency.
2. Test stain on an inconspicuous spot on your project.
Put at least one coat of your top coat over the test area
as it also affects the look of the stain. Test every type
of wood that is in your kit. These are identified in the
Assembly Instructions. Different types of wood may
react differently to the stain color. You might need to
add a second coat of stain to lighter woods to match
the darker woods in your kit.
3. Apply stain with a poly brush or lint-free cloth. Apply
stain over a small area and wipe off excess. Working in
small areas will make the color easier to control.
4. Cotton swabs are ideal for hard to reach areas.
5. Allow the stain to dry thoroughly before you proceed.
Applying the top coat
1. Always read and follow all label directions. Stir your top
coat gently; do not shake. Shaking the can creates
bubbles that are hard to remove.
2. All surfaces including the underside of table tops and
inside drawers must be sealed with at least one layer
of a top coat. This will help minimize wood swelling,
shrinkage, warping and cupping due to changes in
moisture content or temperature.
3. Apply a minimum of two coats when you use
polyurethane or varnish (especially on all table top and
work surfaces). After allowing the first coat to dry,
sand lightly with #320 grit sandpaper. Remove dust
with a lint-free rag or tack cloth. For added protection,
apply additional coats. Lightly sand and wipe surface
with a lint-free rag or tack cloth between coats.
4. Some finishes tend to slightly raise the grain. This can
be easily controlled with a light sanding between coats.
Do not use steel wool when you use water-based
finishes. Strands of steel fiber caught in the wood can
cause rust spots when coated with any water-based
product.
Painting
1. Always read and follow all label directions. Since there
is a large variation between paint manufacturers and
products, ask your paint supplier for specific advice on
how to best use the paint you purchase. Ask them
specifically for advice on finishing bare wood.
2. First coat the wood with a primer. An oil based primer
works best for a smooth finish. If you do not wish to
use a solvent based primer, water based primer works
almost as well. However it may raise the wood grain
and require additional sanding.
3. Buy quality brand paint in a satin, semi-gloss, or gloss
sheen. Apply a second coat for a smooth finish. Lightly
sand between coats using with #320 grit sandpaper so
that the second coat will bond well. Be sure to use a
tack cloth after sanding to remove any residue. Repeat
as desired.
4. No top coat is required when using paint.