timber for shelves

**Ivor** · 29th July 2003, 04:10 PM

Hi,

I am about to put some shelves up in a couple of rooms. I was planning on using the metal bits sold by hardware stores but instead of using the MDF boards that come with them, replacing them with real timberboards.

Because I want the shelves fairly wide (>30 cm) there is a chance that they will cup over time. Does anyone know if there is a good Aussie timber that is less prone to cupping than others. I was thinking of using tassie oak as it is readily available.

Ivor

**Eastie** · 29th July 2003, 05:09 PM

Ivor,
The best tip I can offer is to have a look at the topic of timber movement, specifically at the different cuts that are available (i.e. quartersaw, backsawn, etc)

Another option, and pottentialy less costly, is to join the boards to make the desired width. This can be done fairly easily and with good results (a lot of flat surface furniture is jointed) if you pay attention to the direction and configuration of the grain.

The following link is the only I have, but I’m sure you could dig up more info on the net.

http://www.tradac.org.au/atd/archive...wood_part3.pdf

Regards,
Mark

**Ivor** · 31st July 2003, 11:27 AM

Thanks Eastie,

That was exactly what I was looking for. It is typical that the species that I thought was best, Tassie oak, has the one of the greatest rates of shrinkage!

Ivor

**journeyman Mick** · 31st July 2003, 01:09 PM

Shrinkage is not neccesarily a problem (you may just end up with a narrower board), it's more where in the log, and at what orientation to the growth rings the board was cut.

Mick

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