I am starting to build kitchen cabinets for my sister. I've started cutting all the parts from the 3/4" prefinished maple plywood for the cabinets and will use 1/2" prefinished maple plywood for the shelves. My question is how much shorter do you cut shelves to fit inside cabinets on adjustable shelf pins? 1/8, 1/4??

It will depend on the shelf pins. The plastic ones are a bit thicker than the metal ones. I'd measure the distance between the PINS and subtract 1/8"

I've also generally always went with the 1/8" shorter length.

13 hours ago, lew said:

I'd measure the distance between the PINS and subtract 1/8"

same here...

These kind are much simpler to measure for.

1 hour ago, Gene Howe said:

These kind are much simpler to measure for.

I used the pins Gene shows and simply deducted 1/8 from the inside cab measurement. For what it’s worth, I used 3/4 for my shelves. The weight put on shelves can really get away from some people....probably most.

Edited September 26, 20187 yr by Russboyd

To determine the length of shelves, a two piece story stick is your friend. 

Edited September 26, 20187 yr by Gene Howe

I've had the Lee valley version for many years, super handy for taking inside measurements, and have several different length "sticks" to cover the range needed. http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=32585&cat=1,43513,43553&ap=1  I added a short piece under the shorter stick so I could measure tip-to-tip without being on a slight diagonal;.

 

Rockler recently released the following, may be a little handier, although obviously limited to the 24" length stated. https://www.rockler.com/zip-measure-inside-measuring-tools

Exactly. You can make your own with lengths of 1/8x1/2 aluminum bar stock. 

Edited September 26, 20187 yr by Gene Howe

32 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

To determine the length of shelves, a two piece story stick is your friend. 

when you set the story stick you can rotate it up and out to get the IRL measure because diagonal....

if you already have the 1/2" ply for the shelves I would suggest at least a 1" high piece of hardwood on the face to stiffen it up and also look more pleasing. Normally I use 3/4" as the others have said but still face the front edge with a 3/8" or so thick piece of maple champhered top and bottom edge as a wear point when people drag something off shelf.   Roly

As implied by the story sticks, I'd cut the shelves maybe 1/2" too long, then do final trim after the cabs are done.  For long shelves, you might put a shelf pin into the middle back (where it won't be seen).

a 1" front long grained edge splined or rebated to the edge of the shelf or set back a bit from leading edge to the underside of the shelf..

of course the 1'' width of the reinforcement is arbitrary...

angle metal would work also... A Tee shape would be stronger... ''C'' channel is a step up from there... a light GA tube would even be even stronger...

recess the metal back from the leading edge, paint or veneer it for aesthetics...

the metal can also installed as edge banding and still look good...

if you use angle use architectural and screw it to the shelf through the return edge...

do the back edge of the shelf the same way...

 

the metal pictured w/ all sharp angles is architectural...

the stuff w/ all radii is the regular stuff...

 

For internal measurements I use a regular carpenters folding rule with the slide out on one end.

Of course you must add the two measurements together for the final length.

 

Guess I'm just old fashion ----or too lazy to make a story stick (or both)!

21 minutes ago, smitty10101 said:

use a regular carpenters folding rule with the slide out on one end

My method, also

23 minutes ago, smitty10101 said:

folding rule with the slide out on one end.

ditto...

I've got a Bosch laser measuring tool.  My wife bought it for me.  She said she didn't know what it was but saw it on sale at an on-line site and decided to but it as a gift.  I wasn't sure what I'd use it for but it sure has come in handy....inside cabinet measurements, distance to roof line from the ground, distance across crawl spaces, room dimensions, tree heights before cutting, etc. 

2 hours ago, JIMMIEM said:

I've got a Bosch laser measuring tool.  My wife bought it for me.  She said she didn't know what it was but saw it on sale at an on-line site and decided to but it as a gift.  I wasn't sure what I'd use it for but it sure has come in handy....inside cabinet measurements, distance to roof line from the ground, distance across crawl spaces, room dimensions, tree heights before cutting, etc. 

Well it measure how deep the well is?

Herb

18 hours ago, Dadio said:

Well it measure how deep the well is?

Herb

Well, it has a maximum range of 165 feet.

21 hours ago, Dadio said:

Well it measure how deep the well is?

Herb

Probably only if he has a dog named Lassie.