mdf book shelf help

[andychip38]

hi all I have 7 book shelves to build in 25mm mdf all are different sizes i'm looking for an easy way to have adjustable shelves also trying to keep costs down thanks in advance

 

[Sgian Dubh]

Spoon style shelf pins set into line bored 5 mm diameter holes in the carcass sides spaced something convenient like 32 mm centre to centre. Slainte.

 

[custard]

I'd agree with Richard. Try and avoid Tonk Strip. It's cheap and easy..but to my eye at least that's how it looks!

 

[RobinBHM]

I use 5mm dia chrome plated shelf pins. To drill them a 5mm router drill from wealdon tools. It needs a drilling jig to drill repeat holes which isnt too hard since the router can have a template guide.

It has to be accurate if you dont want rocking shelves!

 

[Tierney]

Hi,

I used then 5mm shelf pins on a bookcase made out of MDF and it is still going strong after 5years being used heavily by a child to store all sorts of junk.

I'm just about to use them again on another cabinet. I'm planning on making a guide by drilling through a piece of softwood on the drill press, so that I can use it to make repetitive holes that are nice and square. I'll be using a brad point drill bit.

DT

 

[GLFaria]

Hi,

I used then 5mm shelf pins on a bookcase made out of MDF and it is still going strong after 5years being used heavily by a child to store all sorts of junk.

I'm just about to use them again on another cabinet. I'm planning on making a guide by drilling through a piece of softwood on the drill press, so that I can use it to make repetitive holes that are nice and square. I'll be using a brad point drill bit.

DT

Why not to instal even a temporary fence on the DP table? The holes would be even nicer and "squarer". You might need some kind of extensions for the table, but that's not that difficult to arrange.

 

[Benchwayze]

I'd agree with Richard. Try and avoid Tonk Strip. It's cheap and easy..but to my eye at least that's how it looks!

It looks better if you choose the bronzed or black finish.
(I never heard it called 'Tonk Strip', but I see that's right. Cheers Custard )

I've used the straight cup-hooks on their sides in the past. You can get those in white plastic covered now too.
My favourite is the banjo shaped brass 'eyes' and sleeves for 5mm holes. If you have a Domino, there's a video on the 'Tube' explaining a jig that runs shelf-bearer holes. Use dominos for the bearers, or make your own from whatever timber suits.

The Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zky_hZc4c_E

If you don't have a Domino, it shouldn't be too difficult to use the principles of the jig, for a 1/4"router and an appropriate sized straight cutter. You could then use dowelling, for the locators instead of domino biscuits. You just make sure the dowels in the jig are located properly, and away you go. :wink:

HTH

John

 

[andychip38]

hi thanks all I don't have a domino so holes is the way to go will one last thing the customer wants thicker pins than 5mm .any ideas

 

[Sgian Dubh]

You'll occasionally come across a 1/4" shank pin which is ~1.4 mm thicker than 5 mm. Häfele also supply a 7 mm diameter pin spoon type shelf support rated at 100 kg load capacity, product numbers 282.01.505 or 282.01.701, depending on your preferred finish, brass (505) or nickel plated (701).

Other than that you'll probably have to make your own out of something like metal (steel) rod or possibly bar, or wooden dowel. That's fine as long as the client is willing to pay for the cost of materials (plus your materials mark up) and your time manufacturing them, as opposed to you simply opening a box and reaching in for all the ready made (at pennies a piece) shelf pins you need. Anything is possible in the world of one-off custom furniture matched to a willing buyer. Slainte.

 

[andychip38]

cost is an issue so I think im going to try 20mm long m8 allen key bolts and make the holes the same size as the thread so they fit snug and just the head shows thanks all

 

[Jacob]

Or make your own pins from bits of dowel. I've got some very old book shelves which sit on 1/2" dia softwood pegs about 1" long, and have been doing for at least 100 years.
You could go fancy and make nice hardwood ones, shaped even.
Simplest metal would be to saw short lengths of brass round bar (easy to buy on line). No need to buy anything ready made. Once they are in and the shelves on, they stay put.