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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Geelong, Victoria
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    282

    Default Choosing materials for a bookshelf

    I am helping my son-in-law to design some built-in bookshelves and together we have been pondering the properties of the basic choices for timber. I quick search of the net failed to find the sorts of comparisons we were looking for, so hoping someone here may know the answers or can point us to a suitable site for information.

    The shelf unit will be painted, so we are thinking that the basic choice is between pine and MDF. Given a shelf length of 600 mm, a width of 240 mm and a thickness of 18-19 mm (nominal sizes for comparison), we were wondering what would be the expected amount of sag that would develop under a full load of books over time?

    My initial thought was for some nice solid hardwood, but the cost would be prohibitive. I hate the thought of MDF, but the question has been asked, so I would like to base my advice on solid data if I can. Otherwise I will have to rely on my natural instincts against manufactured timber products!

    Any thoughts would be appreciated.
    \Bruce

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Perth W.A
    Posts
    720

    Default

    Mdf is a no goer for shelves, it cannot even support its own weight let alone books without applying lippings for support or intermediate support brackets.
    Mdf is fine for uprights, .plywood is probably the best option in my opinion for the shelves.
    Pine is ok but would need priming to stop bleed-through from knots or resin which discolours the paint.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    34
    Posts
    6,127

    Default

    Over 600mm, I reckon MDF will be ok.

    If you're really concerned, just add fixings in the middle; if the shelves are fixed, screw them from the back, if they're adjustable, run a line of shelf support holes down the middle of the back to match the sides.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    NZ
    Posts
    157

    Default

    shelves.jpgshelves 2.jpgHeres a couple of pages from an old ww book you may find interesting.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Hobart, Tas
    Posts
    1,211

    Default

    Hi Bruce,

    Have you seen the sagulater? I've used it on several projects and it's not failed me yet.

    The Sagulator – WoodBin

    Lance

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Oberon, NSW
    Age
    63
    Posts
    13,354

    Default

    I made a modular "wall" of bookshelves from pine some 20 years ago. The shelves are made from 850x200x18, spaced 280mm apart, rebated into the uprights and pinned through a ply backer... sized to take reference manuals & the Encyclopedia Britannica.

    Right now I'm wishing I'd made 'em adjustable as many of the shelves hold paperbacks, stacked two tall and two deep due to lack of room. (ie., carrying 4 "normal" shelves worth of paperbacks per shelf.)

    I just measured and the sag is <5mm, barely detectable to the casual eye over that span.

    Mind you, I carefully selected clear, knot-free timbers for the build, of course.

    Personally, I wouldn't bother with MDF; I'm a woodworker, not a cardboard wrangler and I like the look of stained timber shelving. If I was going to paint them though...
    I may be weird, but I'm saving up to become eccentric.

    - Andy Mc

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia.
    Posts
    1,268

    Default

    My thoughts would be, that MDF is far stronger than most people think. I have used MDF shelving in various industrial settings and have often been astounded at the shelf capacity of even reasonably thin MDF shelves.

    This video clip from the Finnish couple was only recently ( May 25th this year) and is a ripper.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jESD2-lv-M

    As far as having a genuine scientific approach, this isn't that, but it is amazing at how strong MDF and other man made materials are. More importantly, you get to see just where some of them break.

    Mick.

  9. #8
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Wellington, NZ
    Posts
    551

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Optimark View Post
    My thoughts would be, that MDF is far stronger than most people think. I have used MDF shelving in various industrial settings and have often been astounded at the shelf capacity of even reasonably thin MDF shelves.
    It's definitely strong, but as Mark said above, it'll sag even under its own weight. It needs to be supported over any sort of span.

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Spring Farm NSW
    Posts
    5

    Default

    I suggest you try recycled floor boards. I used recycled jarrah to make 880x270x14mm shelves without any sag after 10 years.
    I will try to add a photo . My first post!!!!IMG_1392.jpgIMG_1392.jpg

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    10,810

    Default

    MDF will take paint better than anything else, and this is a reason to use it. However, as David mentioned, it is not a good structural material. It can be made so, which means that it benefits from bracing. This may simply take the form of a hardwood edging at the front, and a deeper horizontal brace at the rear of the bookcase where it is not seen (or, better still, seat the rear of the shelf in a dado at the sides and rear). Keep the widths down.

    Regards from Perth

    Derek
    Visit www.inthewoodshop.com for tutorials on constructing handtools, handtool reviews, and my trials and tribulations with furniture builds.

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    932

    Default

    If you're using solid wood, you can use the Sagulator to get a good idea of what to expect.

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