34mm battens strong enough for shelves?

[barnettgs]

Hi all

I will make some new shelves to alcove in my small shed for tools storage etc. What I have are MDF 400mm wide for shelves and 34x18mm battens for support.

The length of shelves will be around 2 metres but after reading some shelves tutorials, they inist on using 45x18mm or 50x25mm batten so I'm not sure about using 34x18mm but it seemed to be strong enough, isn't it?!

 

[Deluks]

No probs, it's the mdf you should be worried about.

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

 

[noseall]

try breaking one against the narrow side.

 

[barnettgs]

Ok, I will have to fit front batten then put on a vertical support or two for better support.

Won't that be a problem?

Thanks for the fast reply and a very handy online calculator!

EDIT: I think the calculator is for between two supports - which isn't exactly same as a full batten alcove?

 

[barnettgs]

try breaking one against the narrow side.

Hmm, not so easy on the wide side though, thats where MDF will be sitting on?

Plus screw batten against the the wall every 40 cm.

 

[barnettgs]

Well, I checked the straightness of battens, they're bit bent out of shape! Think I should get thicker battens, hence less bent!

 

[Deluks]

Well, I checked the straightness of battens, they're bit bent out of shape! Think I should get thicker battens, hence less bent!

Wickes by any chance? Anyway, new batten will cost pennies.

 

[barnettgs]

Well, I checked the straightness of battens, they're bit bent out of shape! Think I should get thicker battens, hence less bent!

Wickes by any chance? Anyway, new batten will cost pennies.

A set of 8 x 2.1m 34mm battens costs me under £7 from B&Q! Not a big deal!

Think I will pop down the local the first thing tomorrow morning. B&Q is around 40 mins drive away so can't be bothered!