Hi Rob,

The melamine shelves do not sag, even with double rows of stacked
gallon-size paint cans (not all are filled of course). I actually have
a front support about every 2 feet since there is a door stile in the
very center of the 8 ft span, then a center support on each side of
that stile - basically a support every 24 inches.

But, I did not add any additional wood edging to the front of the
melamine (just used the iron-on melamine banding). If you add a 1x2
hardwood strip to the front, I think that you might just get by with
only 1 center support, but I would try to convice SWMBO to go with 2
supports - especially since you will be stacking a lot of cans on them.


You can make the front supports out of 1x2 instead of 2x2 so that you
lose very little and probably keep basically the same strength.

Hope this helps!

Lou



In article , RobW
wrote:

.

I built melamine shelves in a basement storage cabinet just a few
months ago. It was about 6 ft high & 8 ft long, but just 16 inches deep
- wanted it to store paint cans etc.

Anyhow, I did almost exactly what you intend to do. Ran supports along
the back and side, and had a center support (actually 2 of them)
centered on the front. I ran a bead of silicone and a few screws to
attach the shelving to the wall supports. For the front supports, I
used a 2x2 which I dadoed out about 1 inch and slipped it over the
shelf, then I put a screw through it into each shelf (plugged the screw
holes later.)


Do the shelves sag with that beefy front support? That seems like it
might be the easiest way to do it.

As far as the doors for the panty, it's bi-fold doors. My Wife (who's
5'8", by the way), seems real pleased with the fixed shelves, and made
no request for drawers, so simple might be best. BTW, the kitchen is
pretty big, has a ton of cabinets and drawers, so this pantry is
literally just for the food stuff.

Just like you did, I was going to use a good size piece of hardwood to
cover the exposed particle board, and add strength, then a vertical
piece mid shelf connecting all the shelves (just like it has with the
metal shelves). When I told her I might add a few of the vertical
pieces, to break up how wide the shelves are without support, she
didn't seem thrilled. If the metal shelves are fine with only 1
vertical support, shouldn't a wooden one be the same?

Rob