Hey folks, I want to put up 2 shelves for the kitchen, to hold heavy stuff like plates etc. Dimensions req'd: L: 2.8m W: 33cm DD (thickness): 4-5cm What wood should I be going for, and where can I pick it up? I can pick up reclaimed ash, cut to size, for I think £50 a pop, but presumably it would have to be treated etc... is that the best option or go for some pressure-treated blah blah wood from Screwfix/Selco/Jewson? Thanks, F.
I always use pressure treated blah blah wood for crockery storage situations. It's a bit more expensive but worth it for peace of mind.
Stop it, Para... Fergus, how important is the appearance of this shelf - I presume quite. Or even very. So a solid plank of Ash sounds awesome. Chust treat it with Danish Oil. (Don't use 'treated' timber - ie. stuff treated against rot - 'cos it's likely to be toxic...) You will need mega brackets for this. I'd use 'gallows'-style brackets, and these could either be 'industrial' style like galvanised steel left natural or matt-blacked, or else made from a similar timber (ie Ash). But, lots of options. As long as it's strong...
Thanks Devil's. Yes, appearance is very important. The wife is thinking of getting a couple of scaffolding boards side by side (for a kind of cheap rustic look), but I'm not so sure. Brackets, yeah, very big steel ones perhaps. Had a quote from builder/handyman who said he'd get lengths of pressure-treated wood from a store such as the one named above, but I'm not sure that would look terribly nice! Just wondering what most people would go for, since I have little clue with DIY, to my dad's disappointment.
Dinner plates on a plank of wood in the kitchen? Or dust collectors rather on a shelf. Nice if your family like dust on the menu. Why don't you put them in a cupboard like everyone else? The best kitchens these days have base units with slide out drawers. Which provide easy access. Some ideas here tho.. http://tinyurl.com/ndwzz27
Hey, speak to the wife... she wants rustic shelving for her special patterned plates! But I take your point.
You are a lucky lucky man having such a great wife! Her taste is impeccable. Think on she chose you too so I would just agree if I were you
It's a crackin' idea, Fergie. And if you can really get 2.8m lengths of 330 x 45 Ash for £50, bite the cove's hand off. (Sadly, I've looked at some prices and I doubt you can...) And I've also chust looked at the price of HD gallows brackets . They'll be as much as the beam, then... So, I'm with Para on this one. Check out adverts for used scaffold boards, or visit reclamation yards/ saw mills. It doesn't matter too much what state they are in - you should be able to wire brush them, or - if really messy - simply paint them in your choice of matt paint. For holding plates, don't forget the thin bead running along t'top near t'front to stop your wife's wonderful plates from slipping off, 'cos that would be a disaster...