Can they be saved?

[steve-norrell]

Tequila: The back is either 3/16 hardboard or 3/16 birch ply, don't remember which. In either case, too thin for your idea. I have used that trick before, but used those metal runners with the push-in clips - - aligning the runners is just a little easier than aligning the holes.

Gwyneth: Hey, I started this party! Shouldn't I get to pick the address?

Regards, SN

[drumpriest]

" You may well (probably are) right and the best solution would be either new shelves or the braces as suggested by Rod. I could also stack fewer books on the shelves, at least until I get around to making ones that are 3/4 inch thick. "

That's what Ikea does, take a look at the ads for the particle board bookcases, you'll see that there are books on either side, and the centers are used for curio, makes me chuckle.

[cbrown]

I have lots of bookshelves made from 3/4" pine, 9" or 11" deep, up to 36" wide, that have been fully loaded with heavy books for over a decade. None of the shelves shows any visible sagging. On most of them the shelves are dadoed into the sides 1/4", adding to the strength, but even the shelves on pins (24" wide) are still looking good.

Chris

[gwyneth]

Steve,

If it comes to taking them out and putting in new shelves why don't you, instead, make more 1/2" shelves and double them up? It would probably cost a little less than starting with fresh 3/4", you could laminate an old 1/2" to a new 1/2" for combined 1".

As for the address to receive Rod's shop, he either chooses the address or the person who chooses. Clearly if he lets someone else choose, it should be you.

Does the DIY network have game/reality shows? Couldn't you see somebody answering the doorbell, and then faints because there's Rod's shop in a bunch of big crates.

Keith, the Ikea catalog uses "stunt books" for photography sessions.

[RodKirby]

For the naysayers...

1/2" MDF (what else), unobtrusive, 1/8" roundovers on the front edges:

[Hellrazor]

Rod, nice idea keeping the braces set back to look like the books.

[ironhat]

Rod, nice idea keeping the braces set back to look like the books.

How 'bout slightly rounding the front of the braces and gluing on the spine of some old books to further camoflauge them - LOL! Getting silly this afternoon. Need a nap.

Later,
Chiz

[Hellrazor]

You've been out in the PA heat too long today

[steve-norrell]

First of all, thanks to all who contributed to this lively discussion.

Here is what I am going to try . . .

Plan A: As first proposed, I will glue stiffeners to the rear of each shelf as shown in the pictures. The prototype experiment has been loaded full with books for 24-hours and no sag is visible. When painted the shelves will look the same (or at least very similar) when viewed from either the front or back. And, it will be possible to flip the shelves, from front-to-back and from side-to-side, should a sag develop in the future.

Plan B: Use Rod's method even if means admitting he is right and giving up any chance that his shop will be shipped to the US.

Of course, the real lesson is to use nothing less than good quality 3/4 inch ply with stiffeners . . . next time . . .

Thanks again for all the help, regards, Steve.