I cut 6 boards to 6" x 18 1/2" and I want to use 1/2" x 1/2" to make some shelf brackets. It's hard to find the "rules" of making brackets! I did find somewhere the rule of thumb is at least 50% of the shelf width and want to double check that. So, the big question here: I really only want to make 3" brackets.

 

Here's the thing, I have the design I want to use to make these brackets, and I am unsure which way to go. I drew out some possibilities-there's only 12 or 14 different ways to make the exact same bracket! LOL So, do I really need to make dado's or can I just screw each piece on-like butting them up, or do I need to at least make the bottom cross-bar notched into the wall bracket? It's the horizontal weight issue that I am concerned about. The shelves are not going to be holding heavy weight-they are just to hold a few small trophies, trinket boxes and 1/2 dozen crossword books, maybe a flashlight, things like that, basically.

 

 

Don't quite understand. What's the 1/2 X 1/2 for?

How thick is your shelf?

As to the span of your brackets, I'd follow the rule.

Oh! I should have written this when I was more awake. Sorry for not being more precise in my description there.

 

Okay, the shelves are 6" x 18.5" x 1/2" The brackets will be made out of 1/2" x 1/2". I have around 10 feet of it, which should be plenty for all the brackets.

 

So, there's a small space in the corner between a door and window. And in order to open the door and not hit the shelves-clearance is 6".

 

Let me put up a pic to show you the brackets I want to make...I know, to make it easier, I will just photograph my doodles. LOL

 

By the way, with the doodles (1 pg is missing lol), I definitely want the lip on the top, I don't like the top of the bracket being flush, hence they are crossed out.

Edited August 17, 20178 yr by DerBengel

Aha...it's more plainer.

No need to dado for the brackets but, screws will show. Definitely need to properly size the screws and pre drill in 1/2 " material. Make extra of the 1/2" pieces. You'll probably split out a few. 

Personally, I'd use a little thicker stuff. 5/8-3/4, maybe.

What are you planning to place on the shelves? If it is heavy, you would probably want to do what Gene said about thicker material for the braces.

Cindy, What about making something like depicted below with some enhancements and alterations?

 

(1) Instead of as shown, sandwich the vertical supports at the wall and at the shelf bottom to give depth dimension. You could use your 1/2" x 1/2" pieces to do that. They could be glued and pin nailed to the vertical pieces at the wall and glued nailed to the shelf bottom. That would prevent the shelf from shifting left/right.

(2) The vertical pieces could be gussied up a bit by drilling holes in a specific pattern or even scrolling out a pattern of your choosing.

 

Hope this makes some sense...if not, I'll do a rough sketch later tonight or tomorrow PM...

 

Hi Gene, I have a decent drill bit set, so I could make a pilot with a very small bit.

 

Hi Lew, I have a wall in the corner that is between a door and a window. It's perfectly good to use up some unused space. I realized I can put 6 shelves in, instead of 5. I cannot put regular brackets in because they would be too long and interfere with the other shelves. I made them 6" deep, so there's clearance with the door wide open. Also, this works so you don't really see the shelves through the window.

 

I am only putting really light stuff on these shelves, such as a couple small trophies, about 1/2 dozen or so crossword books, about 3 trinket boxes, maybe a flashlight, maybe a digital camera...

 

Grandpa, are you talking about a pattern, similar to the ones I crossed off, up above? The shelf bracket you are showing, is great if I were putting a bit heavier items up, but I am looking at the real estate they will take up, plus I am trying to get a certain look.

 

These shelves won't have anything over 5 pounds on them-some will be maybe a pound's worth. It was either put some pictures there, or make some shelves-as you know, most apartments and some homes, do not have much storage at all, so I am opting for these shelves. And they are truly out of the way, not like they are going to get hit or even messed with, too often. But even when I do go to them, it will be to grab something/set something down. And I do plan on attaching the brackets to the shelves as well.

 

I made an imperfect styrofoam prototype lol, and it looked fine, just a question if 3" was okay for the brackets. I would like some clean space between each shelf.

 

I have some other shelves, I had up in the other flat with full sized brackets, but at the moment, where these are supposed to go, my utility cabinet is sitting there. None of my furniture, cabinets, shelves fits in this flat-UGH!!!

 

I know I saw these brackets somewhere, but I just found an example on IKEA

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/56696109/

 

I like the European/minimalist look of them. I also like the brackets that hug the ends of the shelf, but would be a bit harder to make those! LOL

 

1 hour ago, DerBengel said:

Grandpa, are you talking about a pattern, similar to the ones I crossed off, up above?

Not really...I was thinking something similar to these as an idea. The ornate bracket portion would need to be made from your larger stock. However, I understand better now you desire a specific look and have some space limitations...

anyways in your mock-up if the shelf and brackets depict actual size  then I think you'll want to screw the shelf to the brackets. If you don't, it'll be pretty easy to tip the shelf from the brackets.

   

 

You are thinking more along these lines I believe? Both of these appear to have a 45^o miter connecting the top horizontal with the vertical wall support.

   

Ohh, ohh, okay, I understand now! I LOVE the frog (and acorn) bracket!

 

Only thing, is with these tiny shelves, I am really trying to keep room for the items and a bit of space between shelves. Otherwise, it would be better to make a frame with shelves in it, but I don't want to do that...

 

Yeah, the 2nd set is more like my line of thinking, only have the top of the wall piece, sticking out a little bit above the shelf.

 

By the way, I double checked the thickness of these shelves and they are 6" deep, 18.5" long and 1/2" thick and lightweight-good enough for the light things I will be storing on them, just to give them a home.

I have made a number of similar brackets out of leftover 2x2 railing balusters for supporting flower boxes and hanging baskets. All of them had the rear piece extending above the upper member, so that they could be attached to a wall or post top and bottom. The design is very strong, and should support your light-weight shelves with no problems. Drill a pilot hole through the back and top pieces, and run screws down into the brace, and they will not show.

John

Edited August 18, 20178 yr by HARO50

Oh! That's a BIG one! Even bigger than IKEA's! LOL

 

Thanks, yeah, I was unsure if I could just attach the wood or if I had to notch it out, but since you guys agree, no dado or anything necessary, I will be working on it this weekend to get it done, finally.

 

Normally, I would want to do something else, but it's in my bedroom, and for this small area, I just want it as simple and sparse/open, as I can get, and still look good. I like the look of this type of shelf, as well....sort of European.

 

But as for the fancy brackets, I will definitely be considering these for things like kitchen, living room and so on. I all ready have shelves for the living room, but have to get stuff stowed away elsewhere. Hence the cabinets I want to make that go around my bed-that alone will be a HUGE help-but have to sit on that one for a bit, only so much moola.

 

Thanks again, guys!!!