My Beautiful Wife Wants Shelves In The Closet.

[shilala]

I hate building shelves. With a passion. No idea why, I'm just never satisfied with them.
I just built a new bedroom out of our loft space and made the closet extra big, so it makes sense to build a storage unit type thing in there.

You guys do a lot of cabinetwork, so I thought I'd ask for some pointers. I was going to go get good Baltic Birch, no paint.
Should I consider some other material for the shelving?
Black pipe for the hanger rods?
Any other tips or pointers would be HUGELY appreciated.

Here's a pic of what she wants from this website (http://www.garymkatz.com/TrimTechniques/closet_shelving_layout.html)...

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/closet.jpg

[scottp55]

Scott, Typical clutter but enhanced by my friends kids using them as ladders to get up to the 8' top to hide and seek and the youngest using the shelf themselves and using the clothes as camo. Shelves are 18 yrs old and her oldest is now 19 and he was a real monkey.
dadoes are spaced every 6" and it's rugged as heck.
Back slides in/front slides in/shelf drops down and holds them.
Just showing--others will have less labor intensive.
Wish we'd had a Shopbot when we made them:)

[shilala]

Thanks, Scott. That helps.
My problem is that I always want to build stuff like furniture, just like your shelves. I don't have the time, desire, or inclination to go that nice in this instance. :)
I have a hard time imagining being okay with what's in that picture up there, but it's in the closet. If I use a nice plywood, and maybe throw some natural stain on it, I'm sure I can live with it when the door is closed.
I'm never gonna be in there anyways, the boy is moving in. Then it'll be a guest bedroom.
I'll just make sure I don't show it to the father-in-law. He'll expect it to look like the Taj Mahal. lol

[jTr]

Scott,
You can save lots by simply using a material the casual observer (read: "future home-buyer") would expect to see in a closet, namely: melamine.
OK - I know you don't want to edge band, but much easier and faster than finishing raw ply. Many reasonably decent looking woodgrain patterns out now, and you may readily find pre-edged or bullnose shelf material that already has that edge covered.

As to the hardware - my local Menards home improvement center has very reasonable pricing on silver epoxy coated and aluminum closet rod with coordinating brackets. Black pipe may prove more expensive, and you'll want to improve the look = more finishing. These are cheap, very easy to install, and look/wear well.

Dados and 3/16 or 5mm hole systems are not too tough to lay out, depending on your software. You can literally pull the sheets off the 'bot and assemble your own customized closet kit - just be sure to use a suitable fastener - confirmats are optimal - just pilot 5mm holes with the 'bot and run an 1/8" pilot as you assemble.

Easier option: Woodworker's Supply sells a fastener made by "quick screws" described as a funnel head. Aggressive pilot tip, aggressive counter clockwise auger under the seat for proper pull without jacking. Intended for this purpose and works quite well.

-Be certain to save your computer work - once you start, your better half will have plans for every other closet in the house - and you know it!

have fun,

jeff

[shilala]

That's good stuff, Jeff. Thank You!!!
I'll take a look at melamine and see if there's something that is decent enough that I'd feel comfortable using it. The box store melamine here is pretty rough, I'll have to see if someone else offers it.

[curtiss]

I hope you have not let her buy more than three pairs of shoes....

[bleeth]

Scott: The box stores also sell prefinished melamine shelves already edgebanded you can cut to size to make your design.

[shilala]

I went ahead and drew this all up in Aspire. That makes it easy to make a cut list.
I've got the center section done and hung, just finished all the goofy side pieces.

Jeff, I found some really super nice brushed nickel rod and hardware. Super heavy.
I'm just getting ready to go finish up this nightmare right now. :)