How Too.. "DIY Floating Shelves" ..finally!

[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

[Jive]

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?