Before I make a cock up of it.

I want to make some shelving for my shed.

I am talking basic stuff with cheap as chips materials and basic designs.

One shelf unit will be roughly 95cm across and 50cm deep. The other 90 by
40.

There will be roughly 4 shelfs on each unit.

I have chosen 38mm by 68mm CLS timber as the frame and 12mm thick MDF as the
shelving.

What I plan on doing is getting the 4 pieces of CLS as the frames. Then
cutting short lengths of CLS and putting them in horizontally as supports
(i.e 4 on each side connecting the posts together and then screwing the
shelves into these supports

I have bought some metal angle brackets to use as supports.
http://pickardhardware.com/images/Fl...-%20GH2050.jpg
the ones i got are 60 by 60mm i think.

Essentially i want something like this but wider and obviously using wooden
shelves:
http://s7ondemand4.scene7.com/is/ima...O2234-?wid=380

I will only have the supports going the short 50cm way down the sides as
opposed to going across as well.

My main issue will probably be supports. i don't expect major weight on the
shelves, will the angle brackets do the job? the other technique i could use
it cutting squares of the CLS and connecting them to the support post and
then connecting the cross beam to them 9if that makes sense!)

Any tips?

On Jul 25, 12:57*am, "mo" wrote:
Before I make a cock up of it.

I want to make some shelving for my shed.

I am talking basic stuff with cheap as chips materials and basic designs.

One shelf unit will be roughly 95cm across and 50cm deep. The other 90 by
40.

There will be roughly 4 shelfs on each unit.

I have chosen 38mm by 68mm CLS timber as the frame and 12mm thick MDF as the
shelving.

mdf is very weak, you'd do better with chipboard. i prefer ply for
sheds as its more leak resistant and tough.


What I plan on doing is getting the 4 pieces of CLS as the frames. Then
cutting short lengths of CLS and putting them in horizontally as supports
(i.e 4 on each side connecting the posts together and then screwing the
shelves into these supports

I have bought some metal angle brackets to use as supports.
*http://pickardhardware.com/images/Fl...ket%20-%20GH20....
the ones i got are 60 by 60mm i think.

Shelf units as shown in the piccy work fine with no metal work.


Essentially i want something like this but wider and obviously using wooden
shelves:http://s7ondemand4.scene7.com/is/ima.../ERCO2234-?wid...

I will only have the supports going the short 50cm way down the sides as
opposed to going across as well.

My main issue will probably be supports. i don't expect major weight on the
shelves, will the angle brackets do the job? the other technique i could use
it cutting squares of the CLS and connecting them to the support post and
then connecting the cross beam to them 9if that makes sense!)

Any tips?

There are a few posible ways to support each shelf
1. small blocks of wood on the uprights - you need to use shelves with
some strength with these eg ply, not mdf or chip.
2. horizontal full length strips of wood that are part of the
framework
3. Metal brackets. Just little ones are fine, no need for them to
stretch out across the gap.

http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Shelves


NT

On Jul 25, 2:40*am, NT wrote:

http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Shelves

correction
http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?...Shelving_Units


NT

On Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:57:59 +0100, mo wrote:

snip

My main issue will probably be supports. i don't expect major weight on
the shelves, will the angle brackets do the job? the other technique i
could use it cutting squares of the CLS and connecting them to the
support post and then connecting the cross beam to them 9if that makes
sense!)

Any tips?


IMHO your main issue is in using MDF for the shelves. That stuff needs a
lot of support or it sags under its own weight, never mind any load. You
may need to run some wood strips edge-on underneath it as a minimum. The
best way would be to replace it with something like pine floorboard. More
expensive, but doesn't suffer as badly - especially over a distance like
that.

--
Mick (Working in a M$-free zone!)
Web: http://www.nascom.info
Filtering everything posted from googlegroups to kill spam.

On Sat, 25 Jul 2009 06:39:24 GMT, mick wrote:
On Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:57:59 +0100, mo wrote:

snip

My main issue will probably be supports. i don't expect major weight on
the shelves, will the angle brackets do the job? the other technique i
could use it cutting squares of the CLS and connecting them to the
support post and then connecting the cross beam to them 9if that makes
sense!)

Any tips?


IMHO your main issue is in using MDF for the shelves. That stuff needs a
lot of support or it sags under its own weight, never mind any load. You
may need to run some wood strips edge-on underneath it as a minimum. The
best way would be to replace it with something like pine floorboard. More
expensive, but doesn't suffer as badly - especially over a distance like
that.

Especially in a garage. I can't say what your's is like, but it could
attract damp during the winter, which further weakens the MDF. You could
also make up some slats - rather than using solid wood for the shelves.
It would be cheaper and would weigh less.

mo wrote:

Before I make a cock up of it.
I want to make some shelving for my shed.
I am talking basic stuff with cheap as chips materials and basic designs.

I know folk knock IKEA, but this isn't a bank breaker at GBP
14.67

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/30058508

Though it is a pity the much more robust STEN has been
discontinued.

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK


Have dancing shoes, will ceilidh.

I'd just buy a basic shelf unit form Ikea and adapt it if necessary.
It'll most likely be far cheaper than you could buy the materials and
that's before you've factored in your time and trouble.

I wouldn't use MDF for shelves because it'll sag under its own weight
and if it's at all damp in your shed, you'd probably want to seal the
MDF anyway.

mo wrote:
Before I make a cock up of it.

I want to make some shelving for my shed.

I am talking basic stuff with cheap as chips materials and basic
designs.
One shelf unit will be roughly 95cm across and 50cm deep. The other
90 by 40.

There will be roughly 4 shelfs on each unit.

I have chosen 38mm by 68mm CLS timber as the frame and 12mm thick MDF
as the shelving.

What I plan on doing is getting the 4 pieces of CLS as the frames.
Then cutting short lengths of CLS and putting them in horizontally as
supports (i.e 4 on each side connecting the posts together and then
screwing the shelves into these supports

Best way is to make two 'ladders' for each set of shelves - the width of the
shelves e.g. 95cm & 90cm. Mark the positions, attach top & bottom cross
pieces with one screw each side. Check the diagonals to ensure you have a
rectangle, not a parrallelogram & secure both cross pieces with a second
screw. Then fix the other cross pieces.

No need for brackets. Nip to your local Screwfix & treat yourself to a box
of 5 x 70 Turbogolds
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/15276/...mm-Pack-of-100

These will go straight in (assuming you have a drill driver) no pilot hole,
no splitting, self countersink.

Don't use MDF for the shelves, use 18mm shuttering ply, much stronger.
Screw to cross pieces with 4 x 45 turbogolds.

If you don't have a drill driver, good excuse to buy one :-)


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

The Medway Handyman wrote:
mo wrote:
Before I make a cock up of it.

I want to make some shelving for my shed.

I am talking basic stuff with cheap as chips materials and basic
designs.
One shelf unit will be roughly 95cm across and 50cm deep. The other
90 by 40.

There will be roughly 4 shelfs on each unit.

I have chosen 38mm by 68mm CLS timber as the frame and 12mm thick MDF
as the shelving.

What I plan on doing is getting the 4 pieces of CLS as the frames.
Then cutting short lengths of CLS and putting them in horizontally as
supports (i.e 4 on each side connecting the posts together and then
screwing the shelves into these supports

Best way is to make two 'ladders' for each set of shelves - the width of the
shelves e.g. 95cm & 90cm. Mark the positions, attach top & bottom cross
pieces with one screw each side. Check the diagonals to ensure you have a
rectangle, not a parrallelogram & secure both cross pieces with a second
screw. Then fix the other cross pieces.

No need for brackets. Nip to your local Screwfix & treat yourself to a box
of 5 x 70 Turbogolds
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/15276/...mm-Pack-of-100

These will go straight in (assuming you have a drill driver) no pilot hole,
no splitting, self countersink.

Don't use MDF for the shelves, use 18mm shuttering ply, much stronger.
Screw to cross pieces with 4 x 45 turbogolds.

If you don't have a drill driver, good excuse to buy one :-)



I bought a sheet of 18mm spruce ply the other day and IIRC it was only a
shade dearer than 15mm mdf

I have already bought the MDF so I spose that point is irrelevant. I bought
3 sheets of 2.4m by 1.2m 12mm thickness. I did want to get ply as I had read
up on it but it ended up being a tad expensive. I am actually making 3 units
in total so there is a fair bit of shelving overall. I wonder if the MDF
woudl be too heavy and flimsy but it seems ok at the lengths i have it.

I did also buy some angle brackets but they were next to useless. I am going
to by some 5 x70mm screws but I don't think screwing them in from the side
will quite cut it - just doesn't look strong enough. Instead I am going to
screw some offcuts in as a support first (hard to explain but i iwll post
pics if it works!)

As I am using a combination of CLS and MDF what is the ebst way to paint
it -does the MDF need sealing?

I have built one unit - it is quite weak though - it quite of waves from
side to side - i guess i will have to put in some cross beams.

mo wrote:
I have built one unit - it is quite weak though - it quite of waves
from side to side - i guess i will have to put in some cross beams.

Exactly how did you build it?


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

On 25 July, 00:57, "mo" wrote:
Before I make a cock up of it.

I want to make some shelving for my shed.

I am talking basic stuff with cheap as chips materials and basic designs.

One shelf unit will be roughly 95cm across and 50cm deep. The other 90 by
40.

There will be roughly 4 shelfs on each unit.

I have chosen 38mm by 68mm CLS timber as the frame and 12mm thick MDF as the
shelving.

What I plan on doing is getting the 4 pieces of CLS as the frames. Then
cutting short lengths of CLS and putting them in horizontally as supports
(i.e 4 on each side connecting the posts together and then screwing the
shelves into these supports

I have bought some metal angle brackets to use as supports.
*http://pickardhardware.com/images/Fl...ket%20-%20GH20....
the ones i got are 60 by 60mm i think.

Essentially i want something like this but wider and obviously using wooden
shelves:http://s7ondemand4.scene7.com/is/ima.../ERCO2234-?wid...

I will only have the supports going the short 50cm way down the sides as
opposed to going across as well.

My main issue will probably be supports. i don't expect major weight on the
shelves, will the angle brackets do the job? the other technique i could use
it cutting squares of the CLS and connecting them to the support post and
then connecting the cross beam to them 9if that makes sense!)

Any tips?

I know this thread is a bit old now and there may not be many readers
to it, but one of those sites that is so useful when you're doing
shelving is this :

http://www.woodbin.com/calcs/sagulator.htm

It's a calculator for the sag in shelving, and covers all sorts of
materials, shelving thickness, width and support. Strongly
recommended.

Rob

Rob G wrote:
On 25 July, 00:57, "mo" wrote:
Before I make a cock up of it.

I want to make some shelving for my shed.

I am talking basic stuff with cheap as chips materials and basic
designs.

One shelf unit will be roughly 95cm across and 50cm deep. The other
90 by
40.

There will be roughly 4 shelfs on each unit.

I have chosen 38mm by 68mm CLS timber as the frame and 12mm thick
MDF as the shelving.

What I plan on doing is getting the 4 pieces of CLS as the frames.
Then cutting short lengths of CLS and putting them in horizontally
as supports (i.e 4 on each side connecting the posts together and
then screwing the shelves into these supports

I have bought some metal angle brackets to use as supports.
http://pickardhardware.com/images/Fl...ket%20-%20GH20...
the ones i got are 60 by 60mm i think.

Essentially i want something like this but wider and obviously using
wooden
shelves:http://s7ondemand4.scene7.com/is/ima.../ERCO2234-?wid...

I will only have the supports going the short 50cm way down the
sides as opposed to going across as well.

My main issue will probably be supports. i don't expect major weight
on the shelves, will the angle brackets do the job? the other
technique i could use it cutting squares of the CLS and connecting
them to the support post and then connecting the cross beam to them
9if that makes sense!)

Any tips?

I know this thread is a bit old now and there may not be many readers
to it, but one of those sites that is so useful when you're doing
shelving is this :

http://www.woodbin.com/calcs/sagulator.htm

It's a calculator for the sag in shelving, and covers all sorts of
materials, shelving thickness, width and support. Strongly
recommended.


Yup, great site.


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk