I bought a 50" plasma and made a 24x50 shelf made out of 3/4" oak plywood. that rests on 1x2 rails that are bolted into studs using lag bolts on each side. Upon resting the the tv on the shelf, I could see it bow a little. I drilled some 1x2 into the underside of the shelf but it still seems to bow.

Does anyone have advice on where to take it from here? Do i need to get another shelf cut or should I brace it differently?

Get another piece of 3/4 and glue the two together. You can dress up the front edge by attaching a piece of 1x2 finish grade lumber to the front edge.


It's unclear where your rails are running but it is best if they run along the sides and the entire back. You can actually make the rails disappear if you make them 3/4 x 3/4. Then cut the two layers of the shelf such that you leave a 3/4 gap on the sides and back. When you lower it onto the rails, the rails will disappear.