Re-enforcing the Second Chance Animal Rescue (S.C.A.R.) Charity Shop Shelving

(Updated with costs and a few more photos 11:06am Sun 18th June 2023)

(Updated with further suggestions 9:43am Thurs 15th June 2023)

While volunteering to help with S.C.A.R. flag day collections Tony notice their MDF shelving was sagging a fair bit.

So after a brief chat with Mary the manager Mens Shed decided to put their thinking caps on to suggest possible remedial actions.

Shelf A:165cm (wide) 200?cm (tall. a guess)

Shelf B:165cm (wide) 200?cm (tall. a guess)

Shelf C:165cm (wide) 200?cm (tall. a guess)

Shelf D:165cm (wide) 200?cm (tall. a guess)

We have come up with three possible solutions:

1) Add Metal Edging: Tony has done this to his solar PV panel lean-to. 

PROS: A quick fix.

CONS: Can look a bit industrial (Though Mike T explained we might be able to mitigate this though "At shed we can accurately rip heavier lumber to any required dimensions. The existing scar shop loading suggest careful calculation of the bending moment for white deal. Channel steel could be concealed as shelf edging.".  Needs to be tested first! Would front and back need doing?

COSTS:  So we have four shelves of lengths: A:165cm, B:184cm, C:152cm, D:190cm Would need four B Org shelf bracket uprights from Maloney: 198cm, 198cm, 160cm, 198cm ay 3x €12 + 1x  €10. Plus 4 x 8 x 20mm steel screws (guessing at  €10) TOTAL =  €56 ( €36 +  €10 +  €10). Time to install 40 mins (4 x 10 mins)

Aside: Here's Mike T testing the bendability of a wooden baton. He is mimicking the load on your horizontal shelf :) And we could glue a strip of wood in front of any metal edging :)

2) Add Underside Metal Strapping: here some DIN rail or similar steel could be screwed to the middle of the underside of each shelf.

PROS: A quick fix and not so visible as option 1)

CONS: Still a bit industrial and can be seen still. Needs to be tested first! Does is need at least two straps per shelf?

COSTS: DIN rail is super strong and comes is about €15 for a 2m length (See https://ie.rs-online.com/web/p/din-rails/7424138)  Plus 4 x 8 x 10mm steel screws (guessing at  €10) TOTAL =  €70 (€60 +  €10). Time to install 40 mins (4 x 10 mins)

3) Add Wooden Batons: This was Tony's first idea to strengthen the shelves. As the drawing below shows 1"x1" batons could run the length of each shelf and then be further supported at each end by either: 

A) a plain L shaped steel bracket, 

B) an ornate L shaped bracket or 

C) a 4" length of wood.

Unfortunately, after Tony got the agreement from other members of the Men's Shed to take on this project examination of our spare wood supply revealed no suitable planed 1" x 1" pieces to use.

PROS: Should look nice when batons painted white and cheapest solution

CONS: Most time-consuming. Can wood sustain the bend? Needs testing. Put at middle? Or two front and back?

COSTS: Would need 4 pieces of 8' (243 cm) x 1" x 2" at  €4.50 each from Maloneys. Some white paint (guessing at €5)  Plus 4 x 8 x 35mm steel screws (guessing at  €10) TOTAL =  €33 (€18 +  €5+  €10). Time to install 80 mins (4 x 20 mins). That's without upright bracing: A) plain metal: a guess €2 each so €16, B) ornate metal:  €3.50 each so €28, 2)wood free (as will have spare), 

4) Stick a post under the middle of each shelf. Sean from the Mens Shed also submitted this very simple and direct solution. It use vertical curtain rails (or circular broom handles, etc.) with an inverted triangle at the top to further straighten the bottom of each shelf.

PROS: A simple solution to implement.

CONS: Bottom of each pole maybe vulnerable to being knocked sideways and poles may interfere with clothes hanging under shelves. Will one poll correct the sag? Needs testing.

COSTS: Would need 4 pieces of 6' (182 cm) x 1" diameter round poles (a guess, needs measuring) poles at €8 from Maloneys etc. And 3/4" ply cut to supporting triangles (free from Mens Shed) and 4x 4x 30mm steel screws (guessing at  €10) TOTAL =  €42 (€32 + €10). Time to install 80 mins (4 x 20 mins). 

Office Desk: As well as the above shelves the office has a smaller shelve (80 cm x 60 cm approx.) which overhangs a table and which Mary suggested could have vertical structs put under each corner.

These vary slightly in height (less than 50 cm) and Tony W suggests using a broom handle and circular stainless steel holders screw into the underside of the shelf but with felt pads protecting the table from the bottom of each post.

PROS: A simple solution to implement.

CONS: Bottom of each pole maybe vulnerable to being knocked sideways and poles will interfere with things put on desk.

COSTS: Would need 4 pieces of < 47cm poles (cut to height) and holders, etc. So 2x 6' (182 cm) x 1" (diameter) pole at €8 from Maloneys with felt pads at bottom and into a 4" x 4" x 2" block at top (Free from Mens Shed) and 4x 5x 60mm steel screws (guessing at €10). TOTAL =  €26 (€16+ €10). Time to install 80 mins (4 x 20 mins). 

 6' (182 cm) x 1" (diameter) pole at €8 from Maloneys

Next steps. Check what Mary prefers and then check feasibility of that solution :)

And just for fun Mens Shed is playing with the SketchUp 3D modelling tool :)