I made some 6' long x 9" deep floating shelves out of 10/4 red oak a few years back that were really heavy. Could not find any hardware that I liked, so I improvised by installing 1/2" dia x 12" long lag bolts into the studs and then cut the heads of the bolts off and down to the desired length. After the bolts were installed, I measured the bolt spacing and drilled out 3/4" dia holes on the back side of the shelf.
To keep the shelf from moving, I drilled out some small holes on the underside of the shelves in line with the outer support bolts and used set screws.
I've made some shelves for myself a few times using some basic oak boards from HD. I had a hard time finding brackets I liked, and stumbled upon these. They're made custom to fit. I've ordered from him twice now and been happy.
I made some 6' long x 9" deep floating shelves out of 10/4 red oak a few years back that were really heavy. Could not find any hardware that I liked, so I improvised by installing 1/2" dia x 12" long lag bolts into the studs and then cut the heads of the bolts off and down to the desired length. After the bolts were installed, I measured the bolt spacing and drilled out 3/4" dia holes on the back side of the shelf.
To keep the shelf from moving, I drilled out some small holes on the underside of the shelves in line with the outer support bolts and used set screws.
I like this idea! Curious on what eve 1/2" bolt but 3/4" hole? Why not 1/2" with some wiggle or 5/8"?
I've made some shelves for myself a few times using some basic oak boards from HD. I had a hard time finding brackets I liked, and stumbled upon these. They're made custom to fit. I've ordered from him twice now and been happy.
I like those but mrs does not. I could get closer to convincing her if the studs where in a place that made them look symmetrical but theyd be a bit off centered
I might have started with 5/8" diameter holes, but ended up having to ream them out to 3/4".
Lag bolt installation was not perfectly straight and my lag bolts projected out from the wall around 6", maybe a little more, so the extra room was needed to get the shelf up against the wall without having to beat it on with a hammer and damage the wood.
I might have started with 5/8" diameter holes, but ended up having to ream them out to 3/4".
Lag bolt installation was not perfectly straight and my lag bolts projected out from the wall around 6", maybe a little more, so the extra room was needed to get the shelf up against the wall without having to beat it on with a hammer and damage the wood.
Finished the project a couple weeks ago.
My Home Depot didn't have the 1/2" x 12" lag bolts so I went with 10". I tested one by sinking it a couple inches in an exposed stud - and I could hang on it (160 lbs). Could have probably got by with 3/8"
Regardless, this was a cheap and easy way to hang the shelves - appreciate the tip.
Looks great! I struggled with this a little when I wanted to build a floating shelf. Mine is just for the nursery so decided to build a hollow shelf. Plus we made it a corner shelf and I'm not near as good of a woodworker as you to make a solid L shape. Your setup definitely looks cleaner for a main living space.
Those look great! I contemplated the hollow design, but with the amount of books I've seen Mrs cjo pile on shelves before, I was a bit nervous. And I had those old boards that I thought looked cool.
