If you are in need of shelves, you do not have to go out and buy shelves. You will be able to make shelves and save money while you are doing it. This article will show you how to build a fixed position wood shelf and an adjustable shelf. See also - how to repair your roof.

Materials and Tools for Building Shelf Units

• Hammer
• Small Cleats
• Wide Cleats (only for heavy duty shelves)
• T-Square
• Wood – Amount depends on how big shelf will be
• Brackets for building shelf units (adjustable)

How to Build Fixed Position Wood Shelving Units

1. Building a shelf that is of fixed position can be any size you want. Plan ahead on what you are going to store so that you build a shelf that will fit your needs. Non-adjustable shelves are great for closets, attics, basements, work areas, etc. These types of shelves are not generally used for decorative purposes.
2. Cut shelves to your plan. Make shelves for tall objects and other shelves for shorter objects, so you are not wasting room.
3. Nail cleats into the wood for support. Make sure to use the small cleats to support your shelf every 3’. If the shelf will be holding a heavy load, be sure to use the cleats every 2 ½’. Be careful when nailing cleats onto the side boards.
4. How you drive the nails into the supporting wall board will increase or decrease the ability for the shelf to carry a heavy load. Driving a nail at an upward angle will pull out when a heavy load is placed on it. Driving the nail straight into the supporting wall will give the cleat a more supporting strength. Nails driven in a downward angle increase the ability of the cleat to carry a heavy load.
5. Use a T-square or a level to make sure shelves are in proper position and are evenly spaced at all the points.

Tip: Use the wider cleats when you are building a shelf that will be carrying extremely heavy loads.

How to Build a Shelf that is Adjustable

Building a Shelf without Brackets

1. Cut a dado cut in the side support shelf for the adjustable wood shelves. Insert them at any desired spacing that will meet your shelving needs. Make sure the dado cuts are deep.
2. To conceal the dado cut from the front, make the cut from the back and stop just at the front without making a cut all the way through.

Building a Shelf that requires Brackets

Tip: Only use brackets for light weight items.

1. Drill holes into the supporting walls at desired spacing.
2. Slip the bracket into the hole and lay the shelf on the two supporting brackets.
3. Brackets can be adjusted upward or downward to make room for large or small items.

Building a shelf is not a difficult process. Just remember to use the required cleats for support and to nail in the cleats at the right angle.

• Add New
• Search

Comments (0)

Write comment

Your Contact Details:

Name:

Email: do not notifynotify

Website:

Comment:

Title:

UBBCode:         -color-aquablackbluefuchsiagraygreenlimemaroonnavyolivepurpleredsilvertealwhiteyellow -size-tinysmallmediumlargehuge

Message:

Security

Please input the anti-spam code that you can read in the image.

Do it yourself - Home