DIY Shelves? Carpenter help needed

[AMD Lover]

So I was thinking about putting laminate countertops in my closet as shelving. I have those white wire shelves right now and I absolutely hate them, stuff falls through the wire and its hard to set my server on. I have no problem doing the work and putting in the laminate countertops but the only question I have is what is going to be the best way to support these? Countertops are meant to set on cabinets wheres theres support all the way across the bottom. Would a 2x4 brace work across the middle?

 

Thanks

[Canada EH]

13 hours ago, AMD Lover said:

So I was thinking about putting laminate countertops in my closet as shelving. I have those white wire shelves right now and I absolutely hate them, stuff falls through the wire and its hard to set my server on. I have no problem doing the work and putting in the laminate countertops but the only question I have is what is going to be the best way to support these? Countertops are meant to set on cabinets wheres theres support all the way across the bottom. Would a 2x4 brace work across the middle?

 

Thanks

Counter tops would be too thick, why not buy some 1/4" or 3/8" ply, sand it down really well and paint it with a smooth finish paint.

How much board feet do you requre and how wide are the shelves.

 

Bracing would be a horizontal metal brace like a bookshelf bracket, or hillbilly it up with 2x4 angled to the wall, or down to the floor.

[Kamjam21xx]

Buy some laminate thats already ripped to the right width, but it to your length, put hangers up, put edgebanding on it, screw it in place, done.

 

Make sure to use a level. 

[W-L]

22 hours ago, AMD Lover said:

So I was thinking about putting laminate countertops in my closet as shelving. I have those white wire shelves right now and I absolutely hate them, stuff falls through the wire and its hard to set my server on. I have no problem doing the work and putting in the laminate countertops but the only question I have is what is going to be the best way to support these? Countertops are meant to set on cabinets wheres theres support all the way across the bottom. Would a 2x4 brace work across the middle?

 

Thanks

Laminate countertop is a little overkill as just a storage surface, you can get white melamine particle board, that is what’s commonly used for shelves and doesn’t readily sag like MDF under heavy load.

 

For support running a 1x3 or thick piece of molding along the walls should be enough. You can add an extra strip of wood long the front to give it extra support if heavy stuff is being put onto it. 

 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Melamine-White-Shelf-Board-Common-3-4-in-x-23-3-4-in-x-8-ft-Actual-0-75-in-x-23-75-in-x-97-in-461992/202088923

[Syntaxvgm]

Laminate counter top is typically meant to be glued down, and will be too brittle for screws despite being solid, at least the stuff I've made desks out of.

 

Get those rails, drill them into studs, then use 11-12 inch boards and they'll be really sturdy.

 

Yah know, one of these kinda track mount systems with a hook

Most places typically sell prefinished shelving boards as well top set on these.

[AMD Lover]

48 minutes ago, W-L said:

Laminate countertop is a little overkill as just a storage surface, you can get white melamine particle board, that is what’s commonly used for shelves and doesn’t readily sag like MDF under heavy load.

 

For support running a 1x3 or thick piece of molding along the walls should be enough. You can add an extra strip of wood long the front to give it extra support if heavy stuff is being put onto it. 

 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Melamine-White-Shelf-Board-Common-3-4-in-x-23-3-4-in-x-8-ft-Actual-0-75-in-x-23-75-in-x-97-in-461992/202088923

I never even thought about that stuff but that sounds like a much better idea. You think it would be okay with just a 1x3 or 1x2 around the back and sides? It won't have more than like 50lbs on it. Just misc. storage and a very small tower server.

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Since you already have them, I would leave the wire shelving installed and cover the tops with some kind of thin, inexpensive material, such as 1/8" hardboard (Masonite) to keep things from falling through.

[Kamjam21xx]

Just now, Lady Fitzgerald said:

Since you already have them, I would leave the wire shelving installed and cover the tops with some kind of thin, inexpensive material, such as 1/8" hardboard (Masonite) to keep things from falling through.

If your going that route, go cardboard.

[W-L]

1 hour ago, AMD Lover said:

I never even thought about that stuff but that sounds like a much better idea. You think it would be okay with just a 1x3 or 1x2 around the back and sides? It won't have more than like 50lbs on it. Just misc. storage and a very small tower server.

As long as the pieces are srewed into the studs of the walls plenty strong enough. Try with just the pieces along the wall and edges to see how it fairs if you feel it’s a little flimsy add that extra section along the front, it should take care of things.