charlie wrote:
"HeyBub" wrote in message
...
Harry K wrote:
I used the plastic anchors and all purpose (sheetrock) screws to
fasten 2x2 to non-vertical/non straight block walls. Insulated
between with 1" styro foam sheets and sheetrocked. Did that in 1/2
the basement. Looks great and still ther with no problems 20 years
later.

I also built shelves using nothing but the shelf brackets, plastic
anchors and all purpose screws. Also still there after 15 years.

I don't have anythign heavy stored on those shelves (yet) but the
brackets are the heavy duty ones and I would have no qualms about
loading the shelves heavily.

A lot of people think the load is torque - not so. Most of the load (98%)
from bookshelves and the like, is straight down, not out. If, in the OP's
case, the 2x4 backing sits on the floor, a piddly bit of string will hold
a couple of tons of books in place. (I exaggerate, but not by much).

really? put a 12" shelf on the wall and put the weight on the front edge.
the load is almost all torque.



If the 2x4's are orientated vertically and are resting on the floor,
they will support most of the weight. Think of a hundred lb weight
hanging on a 2x4 in free air, just your hand holding it from falling
over. It will not require 100 lbs of effort on your part to stop the
2x4 from falling. the force you are exerting is not vertical, the 2x4
takes care of that. You effort is only opposing the overbalance of
all load being on one side.

HeyBub may have been sober all along.

Of course the OP could add 2x4s to the front of the shelves as well
and have a device that would not require any attachment to his walls
at all.

LdB