timber framing sizes ?

[amthorpe2000]

given price of wood in the uk, what would be the smallest section that could be safely used without overkill to build

a) book shelves freestanding but strapped to wall at top. approx 2m long by 2.4m high, shelves probably 300 deep.
first shelf 100mm above ground, then at 550, 1000, 1300, 1600, 1900, 2150, 2400 of the ground or 450, 450, 300, 300, 300, 250, 250 spacing
Timber size for vertical members, horizontal front to back vross members at top bottom and in middle, other shelves adjustable.
what timber for say 1000mm centers so 3 uprights or 667mm centres 4 uprights 500mm centres 5 uprights.

b) a corner unit, bottom 900mm c. 1.3m x 0.7m above that l shaped shelves 300mm deep probably 3 shelves for books and nik naks.
similar to the image but with straight front

don't wont massive timbers if at all possible, ikea softwood seems to get very small sections for what they take.

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[endecotp]

As shelves get thinner, I think their visible sag looks unacceptable before it actually becomes dangerous. So either copying what other furniture does, or using the Sagulator to estimate the sag, is your best option.

 

[amthorpe2000]

As shelves get thinner, I think their visible sag looks unacceptable before it actually becomes dangerous. So either copying what other furniture does, or using the Sagulator to estimate the sag, is your best option.

Thanks 18mm 1.3m sag not a significant problem. Question was for the size of frame members

 

[foxhole]

You don’t need a frame , though 18mm mdf will make a strong free standing unit , I found it cheaper to use twin slot shelf brackets which allow repositioning of shelves .

 

[robinbanks]

You're asking a lot for an 18mm shelf up to 2m long to sag minimally when you've loaded it up with books.

Consider cube style storage if you want a thin shelf profile?

 

[mrrusty]

What I do quite often is reinforce the front edge of a thin shelf with 1/2" square steel tube. Painted colour to match or even recessed it is virtually unnoticeable

 

[amthorpe2000]

You're asking a lot for an 18mm shelf up to 2m long to sag minimally when you've loaded it up with books.

Consider cube style storage if you want a thin shelf profile?
View attachment 385012

Upto 1.3m long

 

[amthorpe2000]

You don’t need a frame , though 18mm mdf will make a strong free standing unit , I found it cheaper to use twin slot shelf brackets which allow repositioning of shelves .

Thanks. Don't want the whole thing to be solid sides and back etc. Hence asking for timber for framing. The walls and floors are not straight or level so trying to cut sheet material to the right sizes will be almost impossible

 

[Scally-Ho]

Have you considered constructing from pre used pallets? Many are in very good condition and can be picked up for very little or free if you are on good terms with a builder's merchant. I've made a couple of excellent examples for Mrs Scally and she had no idea I used 2nd hand free pallets. Any residual nail holes are easy to deal with by a 2-pack epoxy filler. Recycle and save money as well as the planet

 

[amthorpe2000]

Have you considered constructing from pre used pallets? Many are in very good condition and can be picked up for very little or free if you are on good terms with a builder's merchant. I've made a couple of excellent examples for Mrs Scally and she had no idea I used 2nd hand free pallets. Any residual nail holes are easy to deal with by a 2-pack epoxy filler. Recycle and save money as well as the planet

Thank you, no. Even so still not answering question. Is recycling pallets that could be prepared and reused as pallets really environmentally friendly. I don't think so.

 

[foxhole]

Thank you, no. Even so still not answering question. Is recycling pallets that could be prepared and reused as pallets really environmentally friendly. I don't think so.

Thousands of pallets are discarded especially the none standard sizes as reuse is not an option.

 

[foxhole]

Thanks. Don't want the whole thing to be solid sides and back etc. Hence asking for timber for framing. The walls and floors are not straight or level so trying to cut sheet material to the right sizes will be almost impossible

Immaterial if walls or floor are uneven when making wall units.
No need for a back or solid sides.

 

[amthorpe2000]

Immaterial if walls or floor are uneven when making wall units.

I'm not making wall units though

 

[foxhole]

I'm not making wall units though

Your original post suggests otherwise .

 

[amthorpe2000]

Your original post suggests otherwise .

Can't for the life of me see how. But ok