On 7 Oct 2004 00:11:19 -0700, (RobW)
scribbled:

We just moved into a house that has a pantry with crappy metal
shelves. The pantry is about 7 foot wide, 18" deep (think closet).
The metal shelves that are in there, typical plastic coated wire, cup
badly from the weight of the cans, bottles, etc. There is a metal
pole midpoint along the width that connects the shelves and prevents
sagging. It actually works pretty well, except for the cupping.

I want to replace them with something sturdier. I was thinking
melamine shelves, with some type of 4/4 stock screwed to the walls as
a frame to set the shelves on. Then maybe a 4/4 hardwood on the front
of the shelf to help it stay straight, and maybe a vertical 2x2 mid
shelf to prevent sagging. Being melamine, how would I attach the
shelves to the frames? Would deck screws, screwed up from underneath,
through the frame work? My wife is fine with fixed shelves, no
adjustment, she just hates those metal shelves.

How about using shelf standards and brackets along the back wall. See:

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/prin...550857,00.html

I would use the "single track" standards, which are cheaper. Brackets
for 16" shelves are readily available, at least in my area.

Also, 40-42" (half of 7 feet, with your centre support) is really wide
for melamine. It will sag. Better not to go more than 24" and use the
3/4" stuff. DAMHIKT.

Luigi
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