Shelving

handyman11 · 12 Jan 2018

Hi I'm wanting to build some shelves using scaffold boards. The wall has a boxed in plumbing running down the centre, so originally I was going to put shelves either side of it. But now I'm thinking of using one long board with a bit cut out for where the box is. Would the be any problems in having a shelf that was nearly three metres long. I would use four brackets a bit like if was putting up two shelves.

Also any advice on how to cut the bit out for the box. The board woild be about 22cm deep and the box is about 19cm deep and about 30cm wide. Thank you

Nigel_Cro · 12 Jan 2018

scaff board? Are you sure? Someone who knows what they are talking about will be along in a minute, but my ten cents' worth...

Scaff board is unfinished and will be high in moisture, so over a 3 m length, if you don't treat it carefully, it will twist, cup and split as it dries in the house. If you are committed to it, buy the straightest you can find and let it dry indoors for a week or so before you even start to cut it down. Get extra boards as some will probably end up not fit for purpose.

As to notching it, use a hand saw to cross cut then a jig saw to rip down the notch. Cut it shallow and finish to the line with a nice sharp chisel. But this is scaff board so you obviously aren't looking for a cabinet maker's finish.

big-all · 12 Jan 2018

scaffold boards are around 38mm thick
9" wide by 1+1/2"thick

handyman11 · 12 Jan 2018

Thank you I appreciate the advice. Will try get the straightest boards and leave in the room for a few weeks. Can i just lie them on the floor on top of each other.

Reason for scaffold is because it is a decent depth and thickness, for a low price. It also has a bit of character and is whitewood, which I'm guessing will stain a little better than the likes of pine, which can go a bit orange sometimes. I'm going to stain and oil.

Thanks for the advice about how to cut out the notch also.

big-all · 12 Jan 2018

pine does not go orangy using oil based varnish does

handyman11 · 12 Jan 2018

In my experience it can do, or it does not stain quite as nice as some other woods. Have never used varnish on pine.

big-all · 12 Jan 2018

ok any oil based finish can go orange where as water based tend not too

handyman11 · 12 Jan 2018

True. I did end up using water based stain on pine and got a non orangey good result, and then oiled it.

Doggit · 12 Jan 2018

Let's see, a 3mtr scaffold board on 4 brackets; it might not stay on the wall very long. Now the scaffold board being 1.5" thick is pretty heavy to start with, but it's at least strong. And they don't tend to warp because of it, so the idea has it's merits, but you need to make sure that it's secure. You haven't mentioned the type of brackets that you're intending to use.

foxhole · 12 Jan 2018

Used new scaffold boards[unbanded seconds] for hall coat stand/shelf unit, two vertical boards and screwed thru rear of these into shelf and then secured verticals to wall. Boards need storing indoors for a month or two as they can warp and split when drying . Used wood dye in danish oil to finish.

handyman11 · 12 Jan 2018

foxhole said:
View attachment 134439 Used new scaffold boards[unbanded seconds] for hall coat stand/shelf unit, two vertical boards and screwed thru rear of these into shelf and then secured verticals to wall. Boards need storing indoors for a month or two as they can warp and split when drying . Used wood dye in danish oil to finish.

Looks good. Did you just store them flat on top of each other. I will probably stain with water based then use a couple of coats of danish oil.

handyman11 · 12 Jan 2018

Doggit said:
Let's see, a 3mtr scaffold board on 4 brackets; it might not stay on the wall very long. Now the scaffold board being 1.5" thick is pretty heavy to start with, but it's at least strong. And they don't tend to warp because of it, so the idea has it's merits, but you need to make sure that it's secure. You haven't mentioned the type of brackets that you're intending to use.

Will probably use the typical scaffold board brackets made of steel. Two for a 1.2 metre length looks pretty standard so 4 for just less than three metres should be fine I imagine. It's plaster board but there is no gap between it and the breeze block wall - dot and dabbed. So I will just use extra long screws to secure to the solid wall with rawl plugs. Really really heavy pine cabinets were secured this way to the wall this way before and were very secure.

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Shelving

Doggit

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