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Floating Shelves (Read 6170 times)
Mr_Mike
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Floating Shelves
Jul 8th, 2006, 7:58pm
 
Hi Guys,

Have been asked to make some floating shelves to fit 2 alcove spaces, roughly an inch n half thick, with a span of 65cm and depth of 30cm.

I was going to use 19mm battens at the back wall and 2 sides plus one in the middle of the span. Then 12mm MDF on top, and 6mm MDF underneath (therefore making the inch n a half), and 6mm MDF for the front lipping.

Have fiddled around with 'The Sagulator' to no avail. Do you think these will be O.K. with an average bookload ?

I've made thicker ones before with birch ply that have been fine, but they definitely want to use MDF.

What d'you guys reckon ?  ???
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TIMBA-WOLF
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Re: Floating Shelves
Reply #1 - Jul 8th, 2006, 8:13pm
 
as 65cm is just over 2 feet (sorry hate french imperial) wide then provided you put a support to the front as well i can not see there being a problem!!  
i always put a cross member to the front, as i have seen to may bods put extra bits and bobs on the front of shelves!!
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Mr_Mike
Re: Floating Shelves
Reply #2 - Jul 8th, 2006, 8:20pm
 
Won't forget the front support......
Nice one. Thanks Mr. Wolf !  Wink
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jasonB
Re: Floating Shelves
Reply #3 - Jul 9th, 2006, 7:55am
 
I don't see any problem with a shelf that size sagging. But if it is only supported along it's back edge from a 19mm internal batten them there may be a risk of it drooping at the front. This is the method I use for floaters copied from another forum post:

Fitted a couple of floating shelves today, the principal is the same just use a few more fixings:

...

The shelves were laminated from 12mm oak veneered MDF with a layer of 12mm MR MDF in the ctr, just right for the 12mm bars. The bit of CLS in the background was drilled on the drill press to use as a jig to get the holes square & level. 4No 12mm black mild steel rods(cheaper than studding), diamond core drill for tiles and 31/64th drill gave a better fit than my 12mm lip & spur drill

...

Studs were placed in the correct position when I built the wall, so just drilled the tile & studs and set the bars with a drop of gripfill. Did manage to hit a drywall screw Sad

...

Finished shelves, Will post the whole bathroom/ bedroom/dressing room when its all done but if you want a look (big pics not resized yet)

http://photobucket.com/albums/v156/jasonballamy/Clareville%20rd/

Jason
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Mr_Mike
Re: Floating Shelves
Reply #4 - Jul 9th, 2006, 10:26am
 
Hi JB,

Have seen your floating shelves before on other forum posts. They look really good, that's for sure.

Only, I'll be having to scribe three of the sides, so will probably be easier doing it the way I'd thought.

Should I get a job with a better budget, I'd love to have a go at laminating some decent veneered MDF & fixing with steel rods such as those in your pic's...

Quality....... Wink
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TIMBA-WOLF
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Re: Floating Shelves
Reply #5 - Jul 9th, 2006, 10:40am
 
..........Beefy!

Grin
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Mr_Mike
Re: Floating Shelves
Reply #6 - Jul 9th, 2006, 12:56pm
 
........leave it out Lamby !  Roll Eyes  Grin
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TIMBA-WOLF
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Re: Floating Shelves
Reply #7 - Jul 9th, 2006, 1:09pm
 
Oooo i say!!!

Grin
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AS HONEST AND LOYAL AS THE TIMBER-WOLF. --VAR@*SH, DON'T YOU SWEAR AT ME!! PAL!!&&I DON'T SUFFER FROM INSANITY- I DAMNED WELL ENJOY IT!!!!!
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