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Diy Mdf Book Shelves

  • 09-11-2014 2:45pm
    #1
    johnobertie2
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 28 ✭


    Hi i'm thinking of making some mdf bookshelfs myself

    i can get the 8*4 ft white sheets cut into strips of say 200 mm deep for the shelves

    is it worth doing? and what would be the best way to get the sheet cut? and is it easy to put new white front edging on the shelves

    i don't want to go too wide to prevent sagging ,no more than 400-600mm


    thanks for any ideas


Comments

  • #2
    Hoagy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 710 ✭✭✭Hoagy


    It hardly seems worth the effort.
    IKEA is nearly DIY anyway.


  • #3
    johnobertie2
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 28 ✭johnobertie2


    i can't get to ikea unfortunately


  • #4
    Jimmy_M
    Closed Accounts Posts: 205 ✭✭Jimmy_M


    Dont mind ikea, its more fun doing it yourself.
    I built kitchen carcasses out of double sided white bcaked mdf 18mm
    Not sure of your design, 600 is too wide id say (books would be a fair old weight - mdf sags easily), stick to your 400 and re-enforce it where ever you can.
    Put a piece of 2x1 along under the full length of the shelves at the back to support.

    The edging is easy. I got it on ebay. Irons on with domestic iron. There are tools you can get for trimming it (heard mixed stories about them) - but what i did was stick it on so it over hangs both sides, make sure no bubbles. Then use a piece of sandpaper on a block to cut it. Rub each edge at 45 degrees to the front face til it breaks through. Leaves a nice edge on it, Hard to explain - but let me know if you dont get what i mean.

    If using a stanley and you dont have a good steady hand the edges can look un-even.


  • #5
    looksee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,096 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    Buy the MDF the width you need it and it will have edges finished already. Don't have more than 600mm unsupported. 600 is fine (2 ft), I have shelves that size just supported on the little tap-in supports, full of books and absolutely no problem after a couple of years or more.

    If you do buy sheet mdf get it cut professionally for a good finish. Totally agree about the sanding method of smoothing the edges, use fine sandpaper.


  • #6
    GrumpyMe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,195 ✭✭✭GrumpyMe


    If sawing or sanding wear a mask!


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  • #7
    Jimmy_M
    Closed Accounts Posts: 205 ✭✭Jimmy_M


    looksee wrote: »
    600 is fine (2 ft), I have shelves that size just supported on the little tap-in supports, full of books and absolutely no problem after a couple of years or more.
    Fair enough, I was guessing above.


  • #8
    johnobertie2
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 28 ✭johnobertie2


    looksee wrote: »
    Buy the MDF the width you need it and it will have edges finished already. Don't have more than 600mm unsupported. 600 is fine (2 ft), I have shelves that size just supported on the little tap-in supports, full of books and absolutely no problem after a couple of years or more.

    If you do buy sheet mdf get it cut professionally for a good finish. Totally agree about the sanding method of smoothing the edges, use fine sandpaper.

    the shelves will be 200-300 deep?

    will it not end up costing as much as the pre-made shelves if you go buying the 200 wide stuff?

    can you even get that width in a full length?

    i get the idea about sanding the edging in..that's the way i would do it


  • #9
    Jimmy_M
    Closed Accounts Posts: 205 ✭✭Jimmy_M


    yes its usually cheaper to cut yourself...
    I have a small cheapo lidl skill saw i swear by - i use a guide clamped to the timber - its just a matter of knowing how far it is from the edge of the blade to the edge of the plat on the saw. I can cut square long strips using this.
    But if you have someone to cut it for you, sure you may as well take them up on it.


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