Building a DVD Shelf out of solid wood

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Bobalude

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Apr 21, 2004
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I currently have 2 of these IKEA Benno shelves:
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/s...3&storeId=12&langId=-1&productId=11414

I would like to build a wider version of it out of wood. The IKEA one is made out of particle board and does not appear to hold up as well to disassembly/reassembly (when I need to move).

What I'm looking to do:
- I want to build the frame/core of it out of solid wood (no particle board or MDF).
- I want a rigid/well built frame that will not break if the shelf is loaded with weight and pushed/nudged slightly.
- I also want to be able to disassemble/reassemble it multiple times. (so no nails, and I imagine I might want to avoid wood screws that rely on taping into the wood?)

What I need advice on:
- What type of wood to buy? or what are the pros/cons of common choices? (readily available at home depot are: Redwood, Poplar, Red Oak, Maple, Douglas Fir, and Pine)

- How should I design the frame... such as what is the best way to attach the pieces together? (what type of connecting pieces, bolts/screws/etc?). How to build it so its rigid/wont break at the corners of pushed/etc.
And little tips here would be appreciated such as how far away from an edge should holes be placed on wood/etc, tips on drilling holes in wood, etc. I don't have much experience so I wouldnt want to accidently split the wood or do something wrong.

Lastly any tips/suggestions on building the shelves? I an picturing a difficult task in trying to get the width of each shelf just right if I am to attempt to cut them to length.

Thanks for any help you guys can provide!
 
Baked

Baked

Lifer
Dec 28, 2004
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Check out back issues of Popular Mechanics or watch New Yankee Workshop on PBS?
 
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OdiN

Banned
Mar 1, 2000
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Okay first....solid wood. Red Oak is pretty hard stuff and should work. Pine might be better if you want to stain it rather than paint it.

As for assembly/disassembly - the shelves are easy - they go in and out and you just need the mounts on the sides of the shelf. You can either get mounts that go into drilled holes or you can get the strip of mounting which will hold metal pieces that snap in. I don't know the actual name for these.

Actually..my problem will be that I don't know the names for a lot of things but I know exaclty how to build it :p

For assembling and disassembling the frame they make these cam-lock things. It's a two piece thing. One part is a shaft which will screw into one piece. The other is a circular pice which you insert into a hole in the other piece. It will piece together, you turn the larger round piece and it grips and holds the shaft and holds the pieces together.

I'm going to see if I can find these things for you :p

As for the drilling, if you get a good hardwood you can drill pretty close to the edge with no problems. If you can mke a decent dent in the wood with your fingernail it isn't hard enough IMO.

As for making the shelves the same length it's not that hard with the use of a table saw or miter saw. Just take it slow and easy.

Let me look around for the pieces I'm thinking of and I'll post back.
 
Evadman

Evadman

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Feb 18, 2001
30,990
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Just so you know, particle board is solid wood. :p

I would give hints, but if I build it it would likely cost you too much and be built to take a direct nuclear strike, which you don't need.
 
O

OdiN

Banned
Mar 1, 2000
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Originally posted by: Evadman
Just so you know, particle board is solid wood. :p

I would give hints, but if I build it it would likely cost you too much and be built to take a direct nuclear strike, which you don't need.
Click to expand...

lol you sound like me :p

But I hate particle board :p
 
O

OdiN

Banned
Mar 1, 2000
16,430
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Okay so about building it.... for the four sides of the frame I would use the cams to attach those guys.

Rout a groove in each for the back piece. The back piece will go into the groove on each side and the cams will pull it all together.

I would use that and the metal shelf supports with the strips & the metal snap-in holders.

That way the shelves are just pieces of wood and sit on the supports.

If the shelves are going to be really wide you may need some support in the middle...so how wide are you planning to make them?
 
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Dubb

Platinum Member
Mar 25, 2003
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an alternative to your dissassembly strategy: a crate-like system of modular units that you can stack/arrange in different ways. then you can pull it apart with the books/cds/dvds still in it, wrap a blanket around each one, and your ready to move.

I did this for my cd collection back in college. each "crate" had built in handles, was 18" square and held 150 cds (3 rows, or two rows of DVDS). they stack top to bottom and also front to back for moving.

I used wood dowel pegs to maintain the connections while stacked, and with some "feet" on the first row, stack to 5 crates tall before stability is an issue.

the downside is that it requires a bit more material. I've had several ideas for a more refined system, but I moved to a flac RAID 5 array and now most of them sit in storage.
 
Evadman

Evadman

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Feb 18, 2001
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Originally posted by: OdiN
lol you sound like me :p
But I hate particle board :p
Click to expand...
I do too, but I do build quite a bit with MDF when form takes a back seat to function, which is 'usually' with me.

If you want to disaasemble, reassemble it a bunch of times, may I reccommend captured nuts. Theya re more expensive and are a little difficult to use, but with some planning you could have a bookshelf thatw ould look good, take a beating, and be movable.
 
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bctbct

Diamond Member
Dec 22, 2005
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Use finish grade plywood, they make a self adhesive( iron on) wood venner edging for the end cuts. Dont laugh at the iron on, it works and I use it often on projects I charge for. Will stain just like wood and no one knows the difference. Cheaper and more importantly, lighter than solid hardwood.
 
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Bobalude

Member
Apr 21, 2004
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Thanks all for the replies.

OdiN:
About those cam connectors you mentioned, are they rigid in holding corners together? I currently have those on a cheap closet housing made from particleboard (from home depot, white closet shelves) and it loosens at the corners so I have to bang on the sides to push it back in from time to time.

From what I've browsed, solid pine is most affordable from the solid wood selection. Is there any issues with using those cambolts when drilling into the side of a 1x_ board (3/4" thickness)? the last thing I need is to have something split after cutting all the pieces to length.

I'm imagining making this 6' high by 3' wide or so, using 1x6 by 6ft boards.

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bctbct:
I will take another look at plywood when I head back to home depot/lowes. Are there any special tips if working with plywood?

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General question:
How is using corner braces or supports to connect the frame together? I'm refering to the "L" brackets. I browsed and saw some 2" and 3" in size which looked like it could connect the corners of the frame together.
 
0roo0roo

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
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easier to buy. esp if u gotta move. idea benno will holdup to a few moves. why would you dissamble em anyways? they fit in a rental van or whatever and are easy to pickup and move once u take out the little shelves. its essentally the same size when buillt as when taken apart..since its just length. and not much else. i have 3 bennos:p
 
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