I'm planning to build some medium duty storage shelves out of 3/4 plywood, and since I just bought a Domino, thought it would be a good way to get some practice before doing anything destined for public view. 4 foot span, 16" deep, about 100 lbs max per shelf. I'm looking for Domino spacing and selection advice. Thanks.
Domino First Project Advice
- Thread starter fisheye
- Start date
Jesse Cloud
Member
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2007
- Messages
- 1,746
I know you didn't ask this question, but ....
Four feet is a pretty long span, and 100 pounds isn't a huge load, but things change and it might get a heavier load at some point. You might consider putting a cleat under it in the back and stiffen the front with some hardwood trim.
Back to your question, +1 on GPowers advice. 3/4 inch is about 19mm, so a 6mm domino would be the bee's knees.
Four feet is a pretty long span, and 100 pounds isn't a huge load, but things change and it might get a heavier load at some point. You might consider putting a cleat under it in the back and stiffen the front with some hardwood trim.
Back to your question, +1 on GPowers advice. 3/4 inch is about 19mm, so a 6mm domino would be the bee's knees.
Here is a link to the "Sagulator". You can use it to calculate the estimated sag in a shelves for different spans, loads, thickness of material, and wood type. Very useful.
Sam Murdoch
Member
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2008
- Messages
- 162
Not to disuade you from playing with your new Domino, but if I were building such a fixed shelf storage unit I would use the dominos differently.
1) Build the sides & backs with 3/4" ply. Here I would domino the sides to the back. 1/2" ply back is OK but for the dominos I would prefer 3/4".
2) My rule of spans (learned at the "Trade School of Knocks") for spanning 3/4" plywood with only the ends supported is – no longer than 36". BIG PERIOD.
Having expressed that - in your case with fixed shelves I would simply add a 1/2" to 3/4" X 1-1/2" to 2" cleat at each shelf location on the back & at the ends. You can then span past 4' without issue - BUT
3) Also add a solid wood edge along the front. This will serve the purpose of stiffening the front edge & hiding the side & back cleats from view. The front edge could be your 2nd opportunity to use the domino as here you would simply domino & glue your front edges to the shelves - no fasteners required.
4) Using the domino to locate the shelves to the sides is a good exercise in set up & assembly but in this case IMHO is a waste of time & effort.
5) If you still choose to do that I recommend that you set your domino off center on your shelf so that more plywood remains above the domino. Off centering insures that you can clearly see a top & a bottom to your set up & leaves the strength of the plywood mostly intact from the top to fight the weight of the loaded shelves. In this case the domino is less a structural element than a locator. Leaves you to clamp your assembly then casually go around and apply screws as needed through the sides into the ends of your shelves.
Just my 2¢, adding to the conversation. In any event have fun & good luck.
1) Build the sides & backs with 3/4" ply. Here I would domino the sides to the back. 1/2" ply back is OK but for the dominos I would prefer 3/4".
2) My rule of spans (learned at the "Trade School of Knocks") for spanning 3/4" plywood with only the ends supported is – no longer than 36". BIG PERIOD.
Having expressed that - in your case with fixed shelves I would simply add a 1/2" to 3/4" X 1-1/2" to 2" cleat at each shelf location on the back & at the ends. You can then span past 4' without issue - BUT
3) Also add a solid wood edge along the front. This will serve the purpose of stiffening the front edge & hiding the side & back cleats from view. The front edge could be your 2nd opportunity to use the domino as here you would simply domino & glue your front edges to the shelves - no fasteners required.
4) Using the domino to locate the shelves to the sides is a good exercise in set up & assembly but in this case IMHO is a waste of time & effort.
5) If you still choose to do that I recommend that you set your domino off center on your shelf so that more plywood remains above the domino. Off centering insures that you can clearly see a top & a bottom to your set up & leaves the strength of the plywood mostly intact from the top to fight the weight of the loaded shelves. In this case the domino is less a structural element than a locator. Leaves you to clamp your assembly then casually go around and apply screws as needed through the sides into the ends of your shelves.
Just my 2¢, adding to the conversation. In any event have fun & good luck.
Jesse Cloud
Member
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2007
- Messages
- 1,746
Sorry for the detour here, but this is for Sam Murdoch...
Very nice set in your avatar. Could you post more pics (would like to see more of the chairs especially) and some details about how you built it?
Thanks,
Jess
Very nice set in your avatar. Could you post more pics (would like to see more of the chairs especially) and some details about how you built it?
Thanks,
Jess
Sam Murdoch
Member
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2008
- Messages
- 162
Just a quick reply to your question Jess - Thanks for the compliment. The table is my design & construction but the chairs were the muses. These are antique French chairs that the client had. They don't show in the photo but they are all sagging like they've had too much wine but are still, after more than a hundred years, rugged & sturdy & quite lovely. Have to look for more photos. Won't post them here on this thread though.
Similar threads
