New to forum. What timber to use?

[Angeloioc]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and also to working with wood. I will be making a walk in robe with shelves. The width of one of the shelves is 2480mm and the mdf and particle board at bunnings max length is something like 2200mm. First, I just want to know what type of timber I should use and also where to get it. All I know in my area is Bunnings which I believe offers no choice and is expensive -- Narre Warren Victoria Australia. I'm sure there would be places close by which offer an alright service for general public.

Cheers,

Angelo

[NZStu]

That's quite a long shelf. I assume it will be supported at at least one point in the middle?

I would avoid MDF if I were you, as it likes to sag over any decent span (>1m), even just under its own weight. There are ways to support it though - rails running under the back edge can help.

Plain old radiata would probably work, or perhaps melamine chipboard. You should be able to get radiata in decent lengths from Bunnings or any timber merchant.

[Angeloioc]

Thanks NZStu,

Yeah it is a long robe. Thanks for letting me know about MDF sag.

The shelf will be supported with two uprights spaced equally. Will be placing rails along the back and also along the two sides. Bunnings melamine also suffers from lack of length, but I'll have another look.

The only chip board at the length and width I need at Bunnings is green tongue flooring. I could rip off the mitres and then use MDF for making the front look nice? Will be painting.

Still would like to know if there are any nicer timber places to go to in the area, for future projects, eg. furniture.

Cheers

[ravna]

Angelo...I would never consider such a long shelf in any wardrobe...too many problems.

Have a look here to see how the majority of designers handle wardrobes, both walk-in and door front styles. As you can see there are no long spans.

One option I have used on several projects is the use of plastic coated wire mesh shelving and storage modules, similar to Elfa... which Bunnies sell, they also sell the type I used, ClosetMaid....an excellent product and very quick to install and probably cheaper and more flexible than Elfa.

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

I'll second that it's not a good idea to expect MDF to span that without sagging.

It may be possible to build a "torsion boxed" shelf that'll do the job, depending on what support is given by the back wall. These tend to be fairly thick though. Maybe 2" to cope with that span.

(This is basically a timber frame that's fastened at the ends and back to the walls, with MDF sheets - or similar - applied to both top and bottom surfaces.)

The attached pic will give you an idea of what I mean. There's no skin on the underside of that shelf (yet - I was sizing the hanger rails at the time) so you can still see the frame.

[nrb]

MDF should do the trick over that span BUT you must give it some support with rails at the back on the wall and at the front,use 38x18 mm tassie oak or such which has the strengh as long as you fix it with the 38mm down particully on the front edge.Melamine is coated over partical board which is ??? any stronger than mdf.
MDF gives a good finish when painted and is a lot cheaper than pine.
Good luck

[RETIRED]

Check out Plyboards on the highway at Dandenong just near Heatherton road or Melboards in Melverton Drive Hallam.

You can't shorten it to 2400, a standard sheet size, can you?

[Angeloioc]

Thanks everyone,

I will consider all options. Looking at chip board now as there will be four across points that top shelf will be supported with.

Unfortunately the 2480mm length is the existing length of the robe. I could cheat it and add a wider 100mm mount from the wall on the invisible side. Will add an MDF front face as well for added strength cause who knows what my Mrs will pout up there

Thanks for the heads up regarding Plyboards. Will check them out

Thanks once more to everyone. This is a great forum.

[Angeloioc]

Update: Plyboards has a 2700mm particle board at 18mm thickness! The off cuts will be the smaller shelves Funny thing is I went there about 20 years ago to make a skate board ramp with my Dad. They also stock brackets.

[nrb]

I live close to Plyboards and have bought from then over many years,they used to be great for offcuts at a good price but you often could not get what you were after.(offcuts where great when you only needed smaller sizes)
They changed their store quite a lot and now seem to cater for mostly the trade.Last job I needed a good quantity for the job I found their full sheet prices quite a bit more expensive than the green shed and handling full sheets are quite heavy.
Bunnies were a good price and cut the big sheets to a size I could handle (have you ever tried to carry a 4x8 foot sheet and get up to your table saw on your own)
good luck

[Angeloioc]

Nrb, good to note. Will compare pricing and will barter. ta