French Cleat Question...

[bkharman]

OK, So I made a cool little desk (dry fitted) for my son and had a question.  I wasn't planning on putting a panel back on the main part (about 46"w , 18"d , 24"h) but use a french cleat the whole span with Dominos along the top and sides.  The cleat would be about 4" tall.

The reason for the clean and open back was to take advantage of the fact that it would be hanging on a brick wall, and wanted to keep as much of it exposed as possible.  This is made out of ¾" Maple ply and will have a maple band around the front.  Not a single screw in it.. all held together with 6x40 Dominos.

Question is... Without a panel in the back, should I be concerned with any racking or support of the unit?  I don't think so, but my wife asked me last night and got me thinking, so I am reaching out.  Thanks in advance.

Bryan

 

[awil66]

Would love to se a picture, but in that configuration it sounds like the racking forces will be on the side panels. Should be okay.

 

[bkharman]

Would love to se a picture, but in that configuration it sounds like the racking forces will be on the side panels. Should be okay.

That is what I thought as well... it isn't just a "box", it has a built in hanging element on the bottom for the computer to live in as well as a bookshelf on top that has a back panel because it needed to be straight and sturdy. 

I took it apart the dry fit before I took a pic, but I might get it back together to get my question answered.

 

[bkharman]

Here is a sketch up drawing of it. The top box is the bookshelf and has a ¼" panel along the back. In the main box you can see the cleat running across the top area.

The small box in the middle is an electrical box on the brick wall.

 

[greg mann]

I think you are good but two things come to mind. I might add a stiffener under the actual desktop to avoid the possibility of sagging and i wonder if it might be possible your son cou,ld hit his head when standing up. I can't tell how much the panel between the desk and the bookshelf will be projecting. If it is only the depth of the bookshelf or thereabouts then no worries. If it is deep, like the desktop itself then he might hit his head.

I do think it is aneat little desk and I like the look.

 

[bkharman]

Thanks Greg.

I guess I hadn't thought about him hitting his head but that is a good point. He is only six, so hopefully it will be a few years before it is an issue...  Either that or if he does hit his head, I am calling the NBA.

I might leave it as is right now, I have a good amount of dominos in there and it is ¾.

 

[bkharman]

One more question here. I was going to put a ¼" panel in the back of the bookcase portion but the panel looks like crap. I couldn't find a better looking one so now I am thinking of using the ¾ I have for the rest of the desk.

Should I rabbet it down and install or make a ¾ dado and not touch the panel?  I don't want to use dominoes here since the panel will be inset from the back.

Thoughts?

 

[Sparktrician]

I think I'd do a wider dado rather than rabbet down the backing.  This will give you more glue area at the joint.