Hi all,
I need to make some long book shelves. At one end I can support the with 2x1 on the wall, but the other end will be open. The wall is an internal brick wall.
I was going to make them 2440mm long, as that seems to be the longest continuous length piece of either MDF or ply I can find. One shelve will be about 21cm deep, the other about 14cm deep.
If I can avoid it, ideally I would only have an L bracket of some sort at the open end.
My local hardware and timber store has 12mm or 18mm, and MDF at 12, 15 & 18mm. Ply is approximately 80%more than MDF.
My questions:
* Should I use ply or MDF, and which thickness?
* Will it be strong enough (and not saggy) if I just run 2x1 along the back wall, and screw the shelf into every 60cm or so?
* If not, will using a strip of 2x1 along the front, depth wise add strength, or just stop it sagging? Will I need extra brackets or support in the middle?
Thanks for any advice. These shelves are for books, and will be in the lounge. I'm trying to avoid them looking like garage shelves!
I need to make some long book shelves. At one end I can support the with 2x1 on the wall, but the other end will be open. The wall is an internal brick wall.
I was going to make them 2440mm long, as that seems to be the longest continuous length piece of either MDF or ply I can find. One shelve will be about 21cm deep, the other about 14cm deep.
If I can avoid it, ideally I would only have an L bracket of some sort at the open end.
My local hardware and timber store has 12mm or 18mm, and MDF at 12, 15 & 18mm. Ply is approximately 80%more than MDF.
My questions:
* Should I use ply or MDF, and which thickness?
* Will it be strong enough (and not saggy) if I just run 2x1 along the back wall, and screw the shelf into every 60cm or so?
* If not, will using a strip of 2x1 along the front, depth wise add strength, or just stop it sagging? Will I need extra brackets or support in the middle?
Thanks for any advice. These shelves are for books, and will be in the lounge. I'm trying to avoid them looking like garage shelves!