MFC shelves - 250kg, overkill?

[Vaz01]

Dear site members

I am new to DIY thus have a very basic question. I am planning to build a shelving unit using 25mm MFC board. The unit will be 2530mm high and 3100mm long as per attached picture. It appears that materials will have a total weight of 256kg if I use this design.

Is this an overkill and should I be looking at ways to reduce the weight? I will probably have to use a combination of cam dowels and confirmat screws and build the shelves in their location but I am worrying of the stability of such a heavy unit.

Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Vas

 

[Racers]

I looked at building a similar thing, but then I went to Ikea as it was a fraction on the price.
Have a look at http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/10275857/

The problem with making something like that is accuracy, its hard to get everything right and small errors can add up to a big one.
Not a good first project, MFC is liable to chip unless you have a table saw with a scoring blade.

Pete

Edit, its the only piece of furniture in my living room I haven't made.

 

[RobinBHM]

All of the load will be transferred by the verticals down to the bottom of the carcase, so the important part will be to ensure this is well supported.

Individually each shelf won't be taking much load (unless you are going to filling up the the unit with solid bronze statues!).

 

[Racers]

The Ikea ones have continuous horizontal shelves the uprights carry the load down to the base.
There is a photo on the web of one that collapsed, but they had it sideways the the dowel joints sheared.
Search for expedit collapse it you want to see it.

Pete

 

[Vaz01]

The problem with making something like that is accuracy, its hard to get everything right and small errors can add up to a big one.
Not a good first project, MFC is liable to chip unless you have a table saw with a scoring blade.
.

Thanks for the reply, Pete!

I was considering Ikea, but not sure if their thick carcasses will look fine if few shelves are stacked together.
With cutting and edging from cutwrights . com the price for materials is not too far from ikea.. I guess it still leaves the chance for errors with drilling and joining..

 

[Vaz01]

All of the load will be transferred by the verticals down to the bottom of the carcase, so the important part will be to ensure this is well supported.

Individually each shelf won't be taking much load (unless you are going to filling up the the unit with solid bronze statues!).

Thanks, Robin.
So there is nothing strange in having 250kg unit i guess..

 

[hansonread]

Save yourself the heart ache and adopt a joinery method like biscuits, dominos or zetas. Cam and dowel cut by hand is practically impossible due to accuracy problems unles you have a secret multi borer or a pod and rail cnc your not telling us about!!

 

[Terry - Somerset]

As long as you never need to move it ..................

I am also something of a beginner and would be concerned at my capacity to cut and drill all the components accurately - I don't have the right kit at the moment!

Terry