Replies

1. 
   RW | Oct 06, 2002 04:50am | #1

   That depends on a whole lot of things you didn't include. What's it made out of, how good are the joints, are you using a nailing cleat (or for screws, in this case) . . . If you build the thing sturdy and leave a little lip at the top of something more than 1/4" luaun (hidden from view) and also some kind of means of attachment at the bottom, then studs should hold it. Figure in the thickness of your sheetrock, you're probably going 1 1/4" before you hit studs, so look at 3" screws. And on a 6' wall you ought to be able to hit more than just two of them. Wouldn't anchor it in the middle and leave the ends wild. If where you want the ends doesn't line up with studs, at least some kind of sturdy hollow wall anchor at the corners to keep it from bowing away from the wall over time, in addition to the real support of the studs.

1. 
   user-16682 | Oct 06, 2002 05:00am | #2

   Thanks for your reply.

   I do realize that I had left a lot of details out of my original post. But that's only because I wasn't sure what questions to ask.

   I'm just getting started in furniture making, so I'm not sure of a lot of things. And I thought this might be a good project to tackle.

   Your suggestions are good and I'll make sure I'll take all of them into consideration.

   .taylor

1. 
   RW | Oct 06, 2002 06:20pm | #4

   Take a gander at something close by - like your kitchen cabinets, and see how the cleats are put on so there's something to put screws through. Books are great for learning, but a lot of times part of the answer is in front of our noses, if we just take a sec and think about where to look for inspiration. I'd separate the means of attachment from the back itself. You back is probably going to have brads holding it on. When I make things like this, I put the cleats in the same rabbet that holds the back, screw them on (from the side if I can keep it hidden one way or another) and extend the rabbet into the cleats for the 1/4" luaun to fit in. This also lets you anchor your top and bottom cleats fairly securely to the top and bottom of the case itself.

2. 
   BG | Oct 06, 2002 05:08am | #3

   Taylor,

   I'm assuming the you would attach the 6' bookshelf to the two studs with 32" in the center and about 20" beyond each stud?  I think the weight would be okay relative to the studs...but not sure the shelves would not sag...unless at least 1" hardwood and reinforced on the ends.  Personally, I might try to use the additional studs in wall but hide the connections....just an idea.