Shelf question

[Doug Keener]

Does anyone know what the proper distance a "plate groove" in a shelf should be from the wall? A customer wants a shelf all around a bed room located just above the door in height to set things on. Thanks, Doug Keener

[Glenn Clabo]

I use 1 1/4". Seems to be stable and shows the plate well.

[Daniel Rabinovitz]

I use 1-1/2" from the edge of the grove to the wall. The size of the groove is 1/4" dado or router bit.
Knock the edges off the groove with a hand plane etc.

[Lee Schierer]

This may add to the confusion or help. Our China buffet came with plate grooves. The ones in the glass shelves are 2-1/8 from the back wall to the center of the groove. The groove in the bottom in the wood is 1-1/8" from the back to the center of the groove