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DIY shelving unit

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Old 07-05-2008, 2:27 PM   #1
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DIY shelving unit

Hi

Just considering building a unit to house a desk and all of my equipment.

I am thinking of building it out of oak veneered MDF, what is the best way to finish the cut edges. Should i use iron on tape (easiest) or should i get some oak edge strips and fix it on using glue or biscuits?

Also if i give a cutting list to a timber suppliers, should it be in any specific order, or do i just tell them what i want?

Cheers
Nathan
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Old 07-05-2008, 2:39 PM   #2
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Re: DIY shelving unit

I am building some shelves at the moment. I am using 15mm ply wood edged with a pine quadrant trim. The quadrant is nice and cheap from B&Q and the ply is cheap too. Then you can get a stain / varnish all in one.

I'll post some pics of it if you want so you can get an idea of how it looks. In my opinion it looks a lot better than veneered mdf and is not too expensive either.

Last edited by tonyadamson; 07-05-2008 at 2:55 PM.
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Old 07-05-2008, 2:46 PM   #3
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Re: DIY shelving unit

Quote:
Originally Posted by tonyadamson View Post
I am building some shelves at the moment. I am using 15mm ply wood adges with a pine quadrant trim. The quadrant is nice and cheap from B&Q and the ply is cheap too. Then you can get a stain / varnish all in one.

I'll post some pics of it if you want so you can get an idea of how it looks. In my opinion it looks a lot better than veneered mdf and is not too expensive either.
Hi that would be great if you could post some pics. How are you getting the plywood cut, is B&Q doing it for you?

Cheers
Nathan
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Old 07-05-2008, 2:52 PM   #4
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Re: DIY shelving unit

Well I actually did it at work. But if you buy the ply from B7Q they will cut it to your sizes. Only takes them a few seconds. Saves making a mess of it with a jig saw.

I'll post some pics for you but it will be in a few hours, after work. Also, I used no nails to bond the quadrant to the ply. Mitred the corners and the sanded the corners to take away the points. looks pretty good too.
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Old 07-05-2008, 2:55 PM   #5
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Re: DIY shelving unit

super, look forward to seeing the pics

Cheers
Nathan
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Old 08-05-2008, 6:51 PM   #6
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Re: DIY shelving unit

Hi mate, sorry about yesterday, was a bit busy. Anyway, I have some photos for you too see.

Its not finished yet as you can tell. The second pic is just showing the plywood and the last 2 are showing the mitered corners on the quadrant.

Anyway, hope they are of some help.

Tony.
Attached Thumbnails
DIY shelving unit-abcd0002.jpg   DIY shelving unit-abcd0001.jpg   DIY shelving unit-abcd0013.jpg   DIY shelving unit-abcd0014.jpg   DIY shelving unit-abcd0020.jpg  

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Old 08-05-2008, 7:45 PM   #7
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Re: DIY shelving unit

Tony, no worries thanks for taking the time to reply. That looks really good the quadrant definitely finishes it off a treat.

What is the rigidity of the plywood over a span, one part of my desk section is about 90cm wide, will the plywood sag do you think?

Also how have you joined it, have you used dowels or biscuits?

Thanks again
Nathan
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Old 08-05-2008, 11:29 PM   #8
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Re: DIY shelving unit

I joined the base to the verticals with wood screws. the top is just glued on and the shelves sit on pins i fitted into the wood.

As for rigidity, is the 90cm a load bearing area? I think it shoud hold, the ply is 15mm thick so should take some weight.
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Old 08-05-2008, 11:31 PM   #9
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Re: DIY shelving unit

By the way, I've never built anything like this before so I'm learning too. I'm gonna build a TV/equiptment unit when I'm done with this shelve unit. You will have to post photos of your build too.
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Old 11-05-2008, 4:12 PM   #10
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Re: DIY shelving unit

Finally finished the unit today. Got some more photos for you to look at if you wanna.
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DIY shelving unit-abcd0011.jpg   DIY shelving unit-abcd0009.jpg   DIY shelving unit-abcd0006.jpg   DIY shelving unit-abcd0007.jpg   DIY shelving unit-abcd0004.jpg  

DIY shelving unit-abcd0003.jpg   DIY shelving unit-abcd0001.jpg  
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Old 11-05-2008, 11:03 PM   #11
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Re: DIY shelving unit

Tony, Wow what a cracking job you have done there

What colour is the stain you have used? I'm still in the planning stages for mine, but will definitely post up some pics when it is done. That quadrant definitely finishes it off well.....

Cheers

Nathan
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Old 12-05-2008, 7:42 AM   #12
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Re: DIY shelving unit

Looks very nice, a good job, you just need another one for some expansion now!
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Old 12-05-2008, 8:12 PM   #13
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Re: DIY shelving unit

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Originally Posted by Knightshade View Post
Looks very nice, a good job, you just need another one for some expansion now!

I will yeah, just as soon as that gap at the bottom is filled.
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Old 12-05-2008, 8:14 PM   #14
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Re: DIY shelving unit

Quote:
Originally Posted by nathsea View Post
Tony, Wow what a cracking job you have done there

What colour is the stain you have used? I'm still in the planning stages for mine, but will definitely post up some pics when it is done. That quadrant definitely finishes it off well.....

Cheers

Nathan
Its antique pine. Then covered with a gloss varnish.

Look forward to seeing what you make mate.

Last edited by tonyadamson; 12-05-2008 at 8:16 PM.
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