On 10 Jul 2006 20:22:24 -0700, "wannabewoodworker"
wrote:

I am getting ready to build some built-ins for my closets. My question
is basically how to "hang" the shelves to the walls. Is it the shelv
supports that I attatch to the walls that hold up everything? My last
house had built-ins and I have researched into other houses built-ins
but of course I can only see the finished product that shows no
nails/screws and is pretty much painted to the walls. Can anyone give
me some pointers?

Nail or screw cleats (that will hold the shelves up) to the wall
stopping them where you need a bulkhead. Nail or screw your bulkhead
to the cleats and continue with more cleats on the other side of your
bulkhead. Add end cleats to the wall and bulkheads. Hang your rods
from the end cleats. You need a minimum of 3 1/2" wide end cleats so
that you can get the hanger on the rod and not hit the shelf above it.
Some guys use wider end cleats and some use narrower back cleats but
we use 3 1/2" all the way around. You also need bulkheads and/or end
cleats to be a minimum of 12" deep so you can mount the rod far enough
away from the back wall.

We come down 12" (on an 8' ceiling) to the top rod if it's a double
hanger (that's two rods above each other) and then 42" between rods.
We hang a single rod (for longer clothes) 30" down on an 8' ceiling.

Mike O.