View Full Version : How do you attach a plywood back to a bookshelf?
Louis Brandt
07-31-2009, 7:46 PM
Hello,
I知 just finishing up my very first bookshelf project, and I知 almost to the point of cutting and attaching the 1/4 inch plywood back. I値l be setting it into a rabbet that goes all the way around the back.
So, what do you recommend that I use, a brad nailer?, a staple gun?, nail brads in by hand? or ?
I知 guessing that you don稚 recommend that I glue the back in place.
Thanks,
Louis
Jamie Buxton
07-31-2009, 7:52 PM
The biggest problem is ensuring that one of your fasteners doesn't blow out through a side. That makes for many bad words. Short nails or short staples can work, as can screws. Brads have a tendency to go through 1/4" ply, so fasteners with bigger heads are a good idea.
Mike Henderson
07-31-2009, 7:58 PM
Instead of a rabbet, why not do a groove and just slide the plywood into place? If you come in 3/16" to put your 1/4" groove that's all you'll lose in depth compared to doing a rabbet.
Mike
Louis Brandt
07-31-2009, 8:01 PM
Hello,
Thanks for the idea, but I've already cut the rabbets. I just need to know the best way to attach the back.
Louis
George Bregar
07-31-2009, 8:35 PM
If you dimensioned the rabbit sufficiently then I usually just shoot some staples with my finish nailer. Brads will go thew, screws are a PITA.
Kyle Iwamoto
07-31-2009, 8:39 PM
How about good old fashioned short small finish nails. Oh, they're called brads. Use that old thing called a hammer. Technology sometimes needs to be left on the workbench.....
Simon Dupay
07-31-2009, 8:58 PM
staples is what we cabinetmakers use.
bill mullin
07-31-2009, 10:10 PM
5/8" length, 1/4" crown staples.
Cody Colston
07-31-2009, 10:12 PM
I shoot NC staples. Brad nails pull through 1/4" plywood.
glenn bradley
07-31-2009, 10:46 PM
I use brass brads with heads and nail them in by hand. Staples should do well too I would think.
Mike Heidrick
07-31-2009, 11:00 PM
I use small screws.
Kevin Godshall
08-01-2009, 8:13 AM
5/8" length, 1/4" crown staples.
+1 Exactly what I do
Bill White
08-01-2009, 11:50 AM
Staples.
Bill :D
Mark Godlesky
08-01-2009, 12:57 PM
My Ikea shelves used 3/4" nails with wide heads. I found that sliding books on to the shelves tended to eventually push the nails out. I replaced them all with #6 panheads.
In solid wood or hardwood ply nails or staples shoudl hold better than they do in the Ikea particle board.
Darius Ferlas
08-01-2009, 1:42 PM
I don't have any air tools so I use #5 screws.
Sometimes I'll use a bead of glue too.
Rod Sheridan
08-01-2009, 1:49 PM
Glue, some brads and a Warrington hammer......Regards, Rod.
Greg Hines, MD
08-01-2009, 6:02 PM
I have stapled them and used small nails with heads. Just need to hold them with needle nosed pliers, and a tack hammer.
Doc
guy knight
08-01-2009, 6:14 PM
My Ikea shelves
Ikea in a woodworking thread :eek:
Jim Becker
08-01-2009, 6:16 PM
I generally use a pneumatic staple gun for this, but the note about being careful about length and angle truly is important! (As it is with hand-driven brads/nails)
Jason White
08-01-2009, 7:44 PM
Why no glue?
Hello,
I知 just finishing up my very first bookshelf project, and I知 almost to the point of cutting and attaching the 1/4 inch plywood back. I値l be setting it into a rabbet that goes all the way around the back.
So, what do you recommend that I use, a brad nailer?, a staple gun?, nail brads in by hand? or ?
I知 guessing that you don稚 recommend that I glue the back in place.
Thanks,
Louis
Michael Conner
08-02-2009, 12:14 AM
Why no glue?
I have to admit, I was wondering that myself.
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