Identify and use hundreds of woods
Articles Forums Gallery Marketplace Videos

WoodCentral Forums

Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge

A55 Smoothing Plane

Cleat Shelf Supports

Posts

Cleat Shelf Supports

#1

Cleat Shelf Supports

John W Foster

I am about to build a split (divided) bookcase for my daughter. It will have a center divider to allow 2 banks of shelves each about 18" wide. She would like a basic traditional design, so I was going to use cleats to support the shelves, but I would also like the shelves to be adjustable. This raises several questions.

1) If I put a face frame on the sides and center piece that is wide enough to hide the cleats, that would mean that the shelves would have to be tilted left to right to clear the overlapping face frame when being adjusted , this would mean that there would be a minimum spacing required on the cleats so that the cleat above the desired one would not interfere with getting the shelf in the proper position. Brush up on my trig?

2) I don't recall seeing bookcases with several unused cleats between shelves, is this uncommon? The only effect I foresee is that it would hold the end book out from the sides.

3) Other than modern peg and hole or metal rail type shelf supports, is there another option I am overlooking?

Any ideas?

Thanks

John

Re: Cleat Shelf Supports

#2

why not pins

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

What objection do you have of holes and pins? They worked for Krenov - see PIC. Either in brass or whittled wood I have used them in some fine furniture, kitchen cabinets, closets, etc.


Re: Cleat Shelf Supports

#3

Google saw tooth adjustable shelf bracket


Re: Cleat Shelf Supports

#4

Traditional Shelf Supports

Steve Elliott

There are several ways adjustable shelves were done before metal shelf pins became common. One of them is shown in the link below, from a website maintained by a retired British antiques dealer.

Another is shown on Don Stephan's website. If you search for "Don Stephen birdsmouth shelf" you'll find both pictures and Don's construction method.


img

Re: Cleat Shelf Supports

#5

Re: Google saw tooth adjustable shelf bracket

John Pappas

A variation of the saw tooth. Drill half inch holes in a strip of wood and then cut in half. Best if done with a thin blade....band saw or a Japanese pull saw. Cleats are rounded to fit.

Re: Cleat Shelf Supports

#6

Re: Cleat Shelf Supports

Jim Dillon

John,

Here is a variation on the shelf supports that John Pappas described. While this china cabinet does not have a face-frame, I think it should work in your situation as the cleats are easily removed and repositioned. As an aside, while I like you guys/gals a lot, I am NOT going to move all the china to get a better picture :) . Hope this helps. Jim


👍 This page answered my questions

Your vote helps other woodworkers quickly find the answers and techniques that actually work in the shop.