[Paul D]

Ok, i will explain the reason behind this thread. (then i will get on with what you actually want to read/see!!! )

About five years a go, i decided i wanted floating shelves to hold my AV equipment.
I reasoned, that since the new TV was going on the wall so was the rest!

This was where the trouble started...
The fancy Ikea types were for effect only, and were neither big enough or strong enough to hold more that a tea bag...

Since i had already installed some in the corner recesses, i wanted the same look.
I soon realised i would have to make my own.
I always over enigineer any thing i make, and my new shelves were no different!
I sandwiched three 18mm sheets of MDF together then drilled and fitted them with high tensile steel bolts.
These where then resin set into the entire brick depth, and glue bonded to the plaster...

I posted some pics here, in the "get your Plasma out for the lads" thread.
Ever since, i have had a steady stream of emails/Pms asking where i bought my shelves.
Each message has been answered, and each person has been guided how to do it as well etc.

However, i recently needed more shelf space (PS3/360 etc) and didn't fancy having to make the original shelves again.
They were actually quite heavy in themselves, so i didn't think scaling them up would be a good idea!
I did have concerns about how the hell to remove the old shelves, but twenty minutes with a sledge hammer/grinder soon sorted that!

Here's a few pics of the old shelves. (i will started the new shelves in the next post etc)

[Paul D]

Ok, so let's get started!

I decided i wanted the new shelves to be bigger but lighter.
I also wanted them to be removeable, and adjustable at a push.

I had a look round, and found the office type "slatted" adjustable shelving would hold the weight, but were ugly as sin.
I did some measuring and found that it would be possible to hide the whole system, so i was good to go.

First up is a few pictures to show the parts, and bolts used. (including the scissor action Plasma wall mount...very cheap to buy!)

I first removed enough plaster to allow the vertical shelf adjusters to be set into the wall

[Paul D]

You can see in the last shot the quick repair job done after removing the previous shelves!

I used M6 x 60mm bolts to hold the vertical shelf brackets firmly to the wall. (the M8s were for the plasma bracket etc)

I then placed the shelf arms to the required height, and plastered the rest.

I'm certainly NOT a plasterer, so you shouldn't be worried about getting it totally smooth.
I just sanded the rough bits down the next day etc!

[Paul D]

If you want to keep the adjustability of the shelves, you can buy plastic covers for the slats etc.

Right, so on to the actual shelves themselves...

I had some 18mm MDF cut to the required size at B&Q.
I then lined the edges with some 2"x1" batons.

The batons were simply screwed and glued on, then sanded and painted. (i rushed the sanding part, so will need to do them properly later!)

I used Dulux satinwood for a good and hardy finish.

[Paul D]

I cut a small oval at the "middle back" for the extra cables i would now need, and placed each shelf on the supports.

The first thing you will find is that the arms are not even/level....Don't panic!

Unless you are installing on perfectly flat walls, and that you have a perfect batch of shelf supports this is normal.

You will just need to make some wedges, or but some "packers".
Screwfix direct sell a great range of plastic ones etc.

Here's a picture showing a "scraper" making a temporary "packer"!

[Paul D]

Don't try and get each shelf to match its neighbour, just trust the spirit level

You will need a good range of screw sizes to attach the supports to the shelves.
The reason for this is that the shelves will have different depths depending on how much they needed packing etc.
The last thing you want to do it come out of the top of the shelf!

[Paul D]

All that is then needed is to attach all the cables and you are set.

I really like the new "extending" Plasma mount, as it will make changing cables a breeze.
Also the fact that the shelves are adjustable (as such) and removeable will also help with future upgrades.

I will finish off with some final "Job done" images!

I will try and answer any questions!

[Yaka]

congratz on the finest DIY tutorial around mate



mods should sticky this one

[M4TT1982]

how come the bottom 2 brackets are upside down?

they look great!!!

[Godspeed]

Originally Posted by M4TT1982

how come the bottom 2 brackets are upside down?

they look great!!!

If they were upside down you would'nt be able to see inside them as they are U shaped. Looks like just a trick of the camera angle to me

[FunkyMunkey]

Thanks for the tutorial mate. It's given me foor for thought for my own setup.

[Paul D]

Originally Posted by M4TT1982

how come the bottom 2 brackets are upside down?

they look great!!!

As Godspeed mentioned, just a trick of the camera angle etc

That really looks cool, I just wish I hadn't shown this thread to the misses as she's now starting to get ideas Looks like some DIY for me in the new year

[M4TT1982]

Originally Posted by Godspeed

If they were upside down you would'nt be able to see inside them as they are U shaped. Looks like just a trick of the camera angle to me

very true, haha

[Paul D]

Anybody had a go yet?

[inzaman]

This is an excellent thread - i will put a link to this in the FAQ at the top of the page

[tojo]

What a great thread! Thanks very much for this.

[Euler]

Just what I have been looking for, Thanks Paul

[velveteer]

Been meaning to add my thanks for this thread. Very helpful, will be looking to build my own soon. Cheers Paul.

[Dr Force]

Paul

Fantastic, absolutely superb.You have just given me an answer to what I want to do when i have my HC room built next year.

Difference is I will have a higher shelf to hold my PJ at around 1800mm with the kit housed lower down and all the cables upto the PJ housed in conduit put in the before the plastering.Should look nice and neat.

brilliant thread matey

[curvature]

Originally Posted by Paul D

I cut a small oval at the "middle back" for the extra cables i would now need, and placed each shelf on the supports.

The first thing you will find is that the arms are not even/level....Don't panic!

Unless you are installing on perfectly flat walls, and that you have a perfect batch of shelf supports this is normal.

You will just need to make some wedges, or but some "packers".
Screwfix direct sell a great range of plastic ones etc.

Here's a picture showing a "scraper" making a temporary "packer"!

Hi, not being funny but if you need to pack those brackets out by that much you need to measure a bit more accurately. The supports are turned out in their 1000's and the tollerances are very good.

I've never had any problems.

Other that that it looks really good!!!

[Paul D]

Originally Posted by curvature

Hi, not being funny but if you need to pack those brackets out by that much you need to measure a bit more accurately. The supports are turned out in their 1000's and the tollerances are very good.

I've never had any problems.

Other that that it looks really good!!!

Hi, no offence taken..
The photo in question was exaggerated to show what i meant.
If you look closer, you will see the shelf doesn't even sit at the back of the bracket.
Once the shelf sat true at the back, i needed a 2mm packer at the front.
Measuring has nothing to do with this problem......as such.

I guess you normally install them "ON" the plaster or surface?
This is easy, and as you say tends to end up in perfect levels, with no more than 1-2mm variations.

Things change when you "recess" them.
You begin to rely on how smooth/even your brickwork/mortar is etc.
Any slight variation here leads to the bracket arms running out of true when you torque the bolts down. (the wall brackets bend slightly etc)
If you were plastering the whole area from new, it would be easy to pack behind the brackets to bring them back to true etc.

In this instance, making sure the thing stays on the wall is more important, as any variation can be hid/sorted by the shelves etc...

[Xavier1]

Have to say it looks the biz. Very neat professional job. Thumbs up

[curvature]

Originally Posted by Paul D

Hi, no offence taken..
The photo in question was exaggerated to show what i meant.
If you look closer, you will see the shelf doesn't even sit at the back of the bracket.
Once the shelf sat true at the back, i needed a 2mm packer at the front.
Measuring has nothing to do with this problem......as such.

I guess you normally install them "ON" the plaster or surface?
This is easy, and as you say tends to end up in perfect levels, with no more than 1-2mm variations.

Things change when you "recess" them.
You begin to rely on how smooth/even your brickwork/mortar is etc.
Any slight variation here leads to the bracket arms running out of true when you torque the bolts down. (the wall brackets bend slightly etc)
If you were plastering the whole area from new, it would be easy to pack behind the brackets to bring them back to true etc.

In this instance, making sure the thing stays on the wall is more important, as any variation can be hid/sorted by the shelves etc...

Me and my big mouth, should have looked a little closer..

[bazza999]

hi there,

That looks absolutely superb. I'd love to do something like that, but unfortunately I'm gonna have to hide my boxes away from the kiddies.... ARGH.

Anyway just wanted to know about the scissor mount... where did you get it from? I am going to recess my TV, and needed a bracket that would allow me to pull the TV straight out without going left/right.

Anyway thanks for any info

[Paul D]

Hi
The scissor mount only cost £69.99 !!!
It also tilts if needed, and comes out about 11" etc.
Here's a link to the website...

http://www.bracketsuk.com/slim-tilt-...unt-p-185.html

[Dr Force]

I have taken the idea and will implement it in my room, previous to this i had not even thought of it so the thread requires a big thanks.

[hopalong_ie]

ClassmJob, i'm afriad i'm going to have to steal your idea, do you have a link to your entire install.

[bazza999]

Sorry me again. Just a quickie. How far out does the tv bracket come once completely flat against the wall?. I know you mentioned it's possible to pull it out 11inch, just wondered what thickness it is when completely flat :-) .Thanks again for the top ideas :-)

[Paul D]

Originally Posted by hopalong_ie

ClassmJob, i'm afriad i'm going to have to steal your idea, do you have a link to your entire install.

I did have pictures of both installs (including my cinema room) on Yahoo, but they have now closed the site.
I will at some point resite them and put a link in my signature etc.

Sorry...Paul