I'm in the process of adding 3/4 inch birch plywood shelves to a pantry. To
maximize space, I'd like for the shelves to be 68 inches x 11 inches. Will
I need to worry about the shelves sagging if they are supported by cleats
along each end and the back? Also, I was planning on gluing and nailing
wood edging on the exposed edge of the plywood.
Thanks,
Bob
I need to worry about the shelves sagging if they are supported by
cleats
along each end and the back?
Ain't no such thing! Any span will sag under load. You just have to
decide how much sag is acceptable. For practical applications, 3/4"
book shelves do pretty well with support/separators at 18"+/-. . . or.
.. you can build a reinforced beam support for the shelf and get by
with less support. It's all in the original design concept. A book on
strength of materials will tell you a lot about design.
Bugs
On 1-Apr-2006, "Max" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Check here:
> http://www.woodbin.com/calcs/sagulator.htm
>
> And depending on how wide the strip along the front is.
That wouldn't apply if there's a cleat along the back.
With such a long span, if the load is high, over time the shelf could creep
into a "half-bowl" shape that's a bit too low in the middle. I've seen that with
a 1/2" shelf that was about 48" span, supported three sides in a kitchen.
3/4" would deflect less, but calculating elastic deflections in a plate
supported on three sides is complicated. Creep over time is another
problem altogether.
If the strip on the front is deeper than the shelf is thick (i.e 1.5" - 2" instead
of 3/4") that would make a big difference. Alternatively, add a centre support.
I'd be leery of leaving such a long shelf without additional support.
Mike
"Bob Mejerle" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm in the process of adding 3/4 inch birch plywood shelves to a pantry.
> To maximize space, I'd like for the shelves to be 68 inches x 11 inches.
> Will I need to worry about the shelves sagging if they are supported by
> cleats along each end and the back? Also, I was planning on gluing and
> nailing wood edging on the exposed edge of the plywood.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bob
Check here:
http://www.woodbin.com/calcs/sagulator.htm
And depending on how wide the strip along the front is.
Max
TRY A HOLLOW SHELF APPROACH. Use 3/4" hardwood strips to define a rectangle
(or two for a wider shelf) and use "door skin" plywood to "cover" tee top
and bottom (glue up). I did one about 32" deep this way - tying the interior
frame members with lock dados and employing a couple of cross members. The
result was a large, light weight shelf / desktop supported by four brackets
across about 80 inches. It holds a TV/VCR and lots of stuff (I made it for a
relative - not sure what all he asks it to support.)
"Michael Daly" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> On 1-Apr-2006, "Max" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Check here:
>> http://www.woodbin.com/calcs/sagulator.htm
>>
>> And depending on how wide the strip along the front is.
>
> That wouldn't apply if there's a cleat along the back.
>
> With such a long span, if the load is high, over time the shelf could
> creep
> into a "half-bowl" shape that's a bit too low in the middle. I've seen
> that with
> a 1/2" shelf that was about 48" span, supported three sides in a kitchen.
> 3/4" would deflect less, but calculating elastic deflections in a plate
> supported on three sides is complicated. Creep over time is another
> problem altogether.
>
> If the strip on the front is deeper than the shelf is thick (i.e 1.5" - 2"
> instead
> of 3/4") that would make a big difference. Alternatively, add a centre
> support.
> I'd be leery of leaving such a long shelf without additional support.
>
> Mike