Dennis McDonaugh
01-04-2004, 10:17 AM
The latest issue of Popular Woodworking had a short article about using MDF for shelf construction and said a 32" shelf of MDF with a 1" hardwood edge would only support 90lbs. I just completed a set of built-ins for my office and I am beginning to have second thoughts about its strength.
Its three 32" high base cabinets 20" deep with two 8' high, 10" deep bookcases sitting on top. The center base cabinet is all drawers and 24" wide. Each side cabinet has one door and is 18" wide. The bookcases are 30" wide. The whole thing sits on a 2X4 base. Its painted so I used MDF instead of plywood for the case work. The counter top is two pieces of 3/4 MDF glued together.
I think the base cabinets can hold the weight of the bookcases since there are six vertical supports (each cabinet side), but I'm worried about the bookcases supporting 8' of books. The bookcases have rabbeted tops. The bottom shelf and one permanent shelf 15" from the bottom are set into dados. Four metal shelf supports are set into dados in the side of the bookcases. The adjustable shelves are 28.5" long and edged front and back with a a 3/4 inch thick, 1 1/2 inch wide piece of poplar. They will be supported by tabs connected to the metal shelf supports.
Does it sound like these shelves will be strong enough to support a full bookcase?
Thanks,
Its three 32" high base cabinets 20" deep with two 8' high, 10" deep bookcases sitting on top. The center base cabinet is all drawers and 24" wide. Each side cabinet has one door and is 18" wide. The bookcases are 30" wide. The whole thing sits on a 2X4 base. Its painted so I used MDF instead of plywood for the case work. The counter top is two pieces of 3/4 MDF glued together.
I think the base cabinets can hold the weight of the bookcases since there are six vertical supports (each cabinet side), but I'm worried about the bookcases supporting 8' of books. The bookcases have rabbeted tops. The bottom shelf and one permanent shelf 15" from the bottom are set into dados. Four metal shelf supports are set into dados in the side of the bookcases. The adjustable shelves are 28.5" long and edged front and back with a a 3/4 inch thick, 1 1/2 inch wide piece of poplar. They will be supported by tabs connected to the metal shelf supports.
Does it sound like these shelves will be strong enough to support a full bookcase?
Thanks,