I recently built a walll cabinet with MDF for the shelves and sides (3/4″ x 42″ Tall x 36″ W x 11″ deep with a 1/2″ plywood back. This is for mounting on a wall in my garage / workshop. As it turns out, it is heavier than what I thought it would be. I ran 2″ cleats under each shelf, top and bottom for additional support. I plan drilling through the suppots and into the wall studs.
My question is: Just how much weight will this type of mounting hold? I am sure I can get into the studs at the top and perhaps somewhere along each shelf (the studs are not consistant in placement).
I am attaching a photo. Try and not be too critical as this is my first attempt at building a cabinet.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jerry
Replies
Avoid cheap screws
You'll know if you are using cheap screws, the heads will spin off when you tighten them down. Pan head cabinet screws are the strongest I''ve found.
I don't have any engineering calcs to support my opinion but four screws, two at the top and two at the bottom ought to hold just about anything you can pile into a 36" wall cabinet. Just make sure you hit close to the center of the studs with the screws and the they penatrate at least 1-1/2" or so. Having a cleat to screw through like you have done is a good idea.
I install a lot of cabinets. I've never had one fall off the wall. I read somewhere that one 16d nail can support 1000lbs in shear. I believe it.
Bret
Mounting Wall Cabinet
Thanks for the suggestion on the pan head screws. I have some type of screw which looks a lot like a "lag" botl but smaller but I am afraid it might pull through. I believe I can get screws into studs at the top, bottom and probably the middle too. I don't plan on putting a lot of weight on it but we both know how that goes!
Thanks,
Jerry
Garage shelves often get more weight than similar shelves in, say, a kitchen. You might consider using one or more French cleats to hang the shelf/cupboard. The cleat will provide better weight transfer to the wall studs and reduce the pivot effect of the weight being off-axis. Pan-head screws, perhaps with fender washers, will also reduce the potential for the screw head simply pulling through the wood. It's all about transfering the weight to larger, stronger load-bearing surfaces.
Mounting Wall Cabinet
I had thought about using french cleats but with the way the studs are I was not sure I could get a good grip on the wall, hence the hardwood cleat under the shelves and top. I will try the washers in addition to the cabinet screws. I've noticed it is easy to have a screw pull through.
Thanks for the help!
Jerry
placement
Yes, a lot depends on where the studs are located in relation to where you want to place the shelf. In the garage, I wouldn't be timid about using 1/4" lag bolts with washers going into the studs (at least two), for example. Just be sure to predrill for the lags.
Your (multiple) hardwood cleats, each screwed into the studs, are probably a good substitute for the French cleat I mentioned. (I missed the fact that they were hardwood.)
Cabinet Support
Jerry
Being as this is in a workshop you could screw a decent ledger plate on the wall and sit the cabinet on top of it. This would give you all the support you need nd only need screws to stop the cabinet coming away from the wall.
wot
It's complicated.
So maybe the answer is trial and error. If you're really worried about it bolt a piece of wood like your cleats to a couple of studs low to the ground and set a board bearing on it that you can stand on. Bounce on the board. Invite your neighbors to join you. See what happens. I bet it holds.
There are people who can calculate the shear strength, the crush resistance of the fibers of wood resting on the bolt and the pull out resistance of a particular bolt or nail, but is it really necessary. I would suggest that many of us have stood on temporary ledgers nailed to a couple of studs with a few half sunk 16 penny nails and lived. Cupboards loaded with canned goods are held in place often with a couple of small screws.
Peter
Mounting Wall Cabinet
I am sure you are correct. I am putting to much into how much it will support. Once screwed into a stud in 3 or 4 places I too doubt it will fall. I guess that is just a beginners worry! I have visions of getting it all complete and standing back just to watch it fall.
I do appreciate all the input and will make use of everyone's ideas.
Jerry
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