How to remove old shelves built into wall

[ruggiero]

Hi,

I would like to remove these very old shelves from my laundry room. I thought that it would be a much easier task, but I am a bit stuck. It looks like they go 'inside` the wall and I could not find any anchoring screws. They are painted heavily so maybe I did not see them.

See attached pictures. From what I can see, the only way to remove them seems to saw them off. It also looks like the support extends outside the shelves.

The building is one of the old tenement buildings in Glasgow.

Any advice?

 

[JohnD]

Cut the first one and pull out the ends. You will then be able to see if it has brackets or something, and, therefore, how to remove the others.

It looks to me like it was plastered after the shelves went in. Very unlikely they are built into the brickwork. I have known perforated metal strip be used, and very difficult to get out cleanly.

 

[ruggiero]

Thanks. Do you think I can use a handsaw? Do I need a multitool? I need to buy one.

 

[JohnD]

A multicutter will be very slow. A handsaw will be quicker. If you cut it down the middle, the two halves will probably sag, and possibly fall out.