Anyone know where I can find jumbo sized MDF shelves

[Adsibob]

I thought getting MDF cut to size would be simple. Apparently not.

 I’m after primed MDF that is 2570 x 330 x 44mm

 

Both the 2570 length and the 44 thickness are proving to be tricky to find from the standard shelf suppliers.

 

 

[Radian]

15 minutes ago, Adsibob said:

 I’m after primed MDF that is 2570 x 330 x 44mm

Are you sure that's what you want? I didn't think MDF was good for shelving. I know 18mm has a job to support its own weight without sagging. I suppose it depends on how many supports you plan to use. I tend to use real timber even if it's laminated pine-board. For any given thickness it seems to carry more load than either ply or MDF.

[joe90]

+1, I would not use MDF for shelves, ply is far better, just laminate it.

[SuperJohnG]

I have just asked my joiners to make shelves for our pantry and all our cupboards. 

 

They were 18mm MDF strapped with 2x1" dressed pine. They will support a load no issues. MDF nowhere near as strong as 18mm ply. 

 

44mm thick seems awfully thick

 

I didn't take a finished pic tonight but here they are mid process

 

 

Edited March 1, 2023 by SuperJohnG

[Adsibob]

The issue is that I want to have floating shelves, and so I need them to be thick enough so that we can drill into them to fit the special bracket (like this: https://www.bespoakinteriors.co.uk/shop/hardware/heavy-duty-floating-shelf-brackets/?gclid=CjwKCAiAjPyfBhBMEiwAB2CCImzyReyjIF9fMOAo77BcNbZDCijgkCIRMcf10d-FAZTcTYjV9DKAQhoCxvAQAvD_BwE)

 

 Although reading the details on that, it says minimum thickness of shelf should be 35mm. I’ve found a supplier that can provide 38mm MDF, but I don’t think they do as long as 2570mm, so I still have an issue.

[SuperJohnG]

What about window cills?  Do the length certainly, closest you'll get to the thickness albeit I don't know how thick you can get it. 

[Nickfromwales]

42 minutes ago, Adsibob said:

The issue is that I want to have floating shelves, and so I need them to be thick enough so that we can drill into them to fit the special bracket (like this: https://www.bespoakinteriors.co.uk/shop/hardware/heavy-duty-floating-shelf-brackets/?gclid=CjwKCAiAjPyfBhBMEiwAB2CCImzyReyjIF9fMOAo77BcNbZDCijgkCIRMcf10d-FAZTcTYjV9DKAQhoCxvAQAvD_BwE)

 

 Although reading the details on that, it says minimum thickness of shelf should be 35mm. I’ve found a supplier that can provide 38mm MDF, but I don’t think they do as long as 2570mm, so I still have an issue.

The weight will be a huge problem. Most floating shelves are hollow, with strategic timber ( usually ply or pine ) inserts to accept the fixings.

 

The reason for the thickness is that the brackets usually feature a dowel of 16-18mm, or thicker dependant on projection, so need a depth of thickness / cavity to allow these to be integrated.

 

Move away from MDF, as it's not the right product for this instance  Where are these to be located? What purpose? How heavy the loads?

 

[markc]

If you need the 44mm thickness I would be going for a home made sips panel .. 10mm ply either side of a 25mm core would be incredibly strong, stiff and staggering the joints you can get the length you want

[SteamyTea]

I made thick MDF shelves, not that long though.

 

[Adsibob]

I don't need them to be MDF or to be thick. I was just advised that to make them out of MDF with the concealed brackets linked above, they would need to be quite thick. They just need to be:

• easy to buy in more or less ready made form - I can make cuts/trims, but I rather not have to make anything complex
• supplied already primed for easy painting - MDF seemed to meet that requirement;
• be 257cm long and about 33cm deep - the length is not variable, but i could settle for something slightly less deep, maybe 30cm or 31cm.

 

 

[Adsibob]

12 hours ago, SuperJohnG said:

What about window cills?  Do the length certainly, closest you'll get to the thickness albeit I don't know how thick you can get it. 

This was a good recommendation, save for one issue, the thickness.

I can find 3000mm by 300mm MDF window boards, but only 25mm thick. The good thing about this is that they are really cheap. Only about £48 each, which is much cheaper than the quotes I was getting for thicker floating shelves (which weren't long enough).

[SteamyTea]

MDF is often used purely for the smooth finish.

A couple or 3 coats of a decent undercoat often gets you to the same place on cheap ply.

 

I think it is about time you started buying some power tools.

A small cordless circular saw, a long straight edge, some G-Clamps and maybe a cheap multi-tool.

Assuming you have a drill already. 

With them, you can make a lot of things, except accurate curves.

 

Then you can put that shed to good use, drink tea, grow a grey beard and smoke a pipe.

Edited March 2, 2023 by SteamyTea

[Temp]

13 hours ago, Adsibob said:

The issue is that I want to have floating shelves, and so I need them to be thick enough so that we can drill into them to fit the special bracket (like this: https://www.bespoakinteriors.co.uk/shop/hardware/heavy-duty-floating-shelf-brackets/?gclid=CjwKCAiAjPyfBhBMEiwAB2CCImzyReyjIF9fMOAo77BcNbZDCijgkCIRMcf10d-FAZTcTYjV9DKAQhoCxvAQAvD_BwE)

 

 Although reading the details on that, it says minimum thickness of shelf should be 35mm. I’ve found a supplier that can provide 38mm MDF, but I don’t think they do as long as 2570mm, so I still have an issue.

 

Those bars are 12mm diameter. What I would do is laminate up three 12mm sheets giving 36mm thickness. The centre layer wouldn't be solid. I'd cut strips for a frame around the edges and to form pockets where the brackets are going.

 

This will be fairly heavy even hollow so quite a few brackets needed.

 

PS the metal bracket on the rod needs recesing into the back edge of the shelf. Might be possible to do this for all the brackets at once with circular saw or router before glue up.  

Edited March 2, 2023 by Temp

[joe90]

1 hour ago, Adsibob said:

I don't need them to be MDF or to be thick. I was just advised that to make them out of MDF with the concealed brackets linked above, they would need to be quite thick. They just need to be:

• easy to buy in more or less ready made form - I can make cuts/trims, but I rather not have to make anything complex
• supplied already primed for easy painting - MDF seemed to meet that requirement;
• be 257cm long and about 33cm deep - the length is not variable, but i could settle for something slightly less deep, maybe 30cm or 31cm.

 

 

It’s a shame I am moving as I could knock these up for you in my workshop (that’s now stripped out ready to move) 🤷‍♂️

[SteamyTea]

1 hour ago, joe90 said:

It’s a shame I am moving as I could knock these up for you in my workshop (that’s now stripped out ready to move) 🤷‍♂️

@Adsibob could be persuaded to procrastinate for months.

I will deliver them on one of my trips up. In the scheme of things it is just down the road from where my mother is.

[joe90]

51 minutes ago, SteamyTea said:

I will deliver them on one of my trips up. In the scheme of things it is just down the road from where my mother is.

But my workshop is all packed up at the moment, but could you get 2.5m in your car?

[SteamyTea]

3 hours ago, joe90 said:

But my workshop is all packed up at the moment, but could you get 2.5m in your car?

Yes, leave the boot open.

Short 120 miles from your new place to London.

Almost suburbs of the smoke.

[joe90]

8 minutes ago, SteamyTea said:

Short 120 miles from your new place to London.

Yes, all I need to do is move, build my new garage and set up the machines 🙄

[Adsibob]

6 hours ago, SteamyTea said:

@Adsibob could be persuaded to procrastinate for months.

Yep, this is very true.

 

6 hours ago, SteamyTea said:

I will deliver them on one of my trips up. In the scheme of things it is just down the road from where my mother is.

I’m happy to cover all costs, and bung you some moonshine.

[SteamyTea]

6 minutes ago, Adsibob said:

Yep, this is very true.

 

I’m happy to cover all costs, and bung you some moonshine.

Just down to @joe90 to move and build his new workshop.

He is pretty quick at this building malarkey, so should be delivered within the year.

[joe90]

@Adsibob what is your time frame for this?, just re read the thread and I really like those brackets and think they will do an admiral job, (as long as it’s fixed to a solid brick/block wall 🤷‍♂️) as said above all I have to do is move and build my workshop!

[Adsibob]

12 hours ago, joe90 said:

@Adsibob what is your time frame for this?, just re read the thread and I really like those brackets and think they will do an admiral job, (as long as it’s fixed to a solid brick/block wall 🤷‍♂️) as said above all I have to do is move and build my workshop!

That's very kind @joe90. Ideally i need to get this done by the end of April, as we are getting the room painted in May. But I wouldn't want you to go to any trouble!

 

[joe90]

Just now, Adsibob said:

Ideally i need to get this done by the end of April,

Sorry outside my timeframe,

1 minute ago, Adsibob said:

But I wouldn't want you to go to any trouble!

I owe you one fir previous advice and I am more than willing 👍

 

i am sure you could find a wood shop near you that could knock this up, it’s not rocket science.

[Carrerahill]

On 01/03/2023 at 23:09, Adsibob said:

The issue is that I want to have floating shelves, and so I need them to be thick enough so that we can drill into them to fit the special bracket (like this: https://www.bespoakinteriors.co.uk/shop/hardware/heavy-duty-floating-shelf-brackets/?gclid=CjwKCAiAjPyfBhBMEiwAB2CCImzyReyjIF9fMOAo77BcNbZDCijgkCIRMcf10d-FAZTcTYjV9DKAQhoCxvAQAvD_BwE)

 

 Although reading the details on that, it says minimum thickness of shelf should be 35mm. I’ve found a supplier that can provide 38mm MDF, but I don’t think they do as long as 2570mm, so I still have an issue.

That isn't really how you make MDF shelfs, those brackets are more used for solid timber, like oak or oak mantles. These thick floating shelves are usually made up with a timber frame inside.

 

I made the stereotypical floating shelves in an alcove unit, first I built a frame in 30x30 pine, fixed that to the wall, then fixed a piece of spray painted 12mm MDF to the bottom, then I created the top of the shelf with 18mm MDF with a return on the front with 12mm MDF, that was all filled/sanded and sprayed to create a seamless finish, that was then simply offered up to the frame and it is held in place just with the caulk - I also incorporated LED lighting into the front edge. 

 

If I just wanted a plain floating shelf, I would build a timber (or metal) frame, fix to the walls. Then make a "sleeve" piece -i.e. 2 pieces of MDF joint with a front piece - fill and prep the whole lot and paint (spray paint for me).

 

 

 

 

Edited March 3, 2023 by Carrerahill

[Haylingbilly]

I used oak worktops for my pantry shelves, they come in almost whatever size you want. You could always use laminate worktops if you don't want real wood. Topped them off with cornices to match the kitchen. Pantry needs a tidy up but hopefully you get the idea.