I want to build a shelf/possible component rack, something like one of these:

http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/2105/htbuiltincarpetnr8.jpg

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/9899/11010451qn3.jpg

What type of wood would I use to build something like this? The first pic is probably what I'm leaning more towards because I have the perfect place for one and I'd like to put my games/DVD's there.

Thanks.

**edit**

Sorry for such a stupid question, but I've never really worked with wood until this year. I bought my first house 6 months ago and I'm learning! We just finished framing, Drywall and painting my basement.

if you are going to paint it, I don't think it matter what kind of wood you use. The first picture looks like it is in pine or maple, actually might not be good, since pine is soft wood, maple is considered as hardwood, but they do dent easily. I'd use oak, its harder and readily available.

I do plan to paint it white or black. I should've been more specific. What I mean is what type of wood; Plywood, 1 by or MDF, ect. ect.??

Thanks again.

I am building something very similar to picture 2 and am using 3/4 inch plywood with a 1" oak strip to cover the ply's, and it will span a 24" length. This will have enough strength to hold most equipment without saging.

Here is a site that may help to get you started: http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Hardwood_BuiltIn_Installations.html

looks like a lot of good stuff there, I was hoping for more of a quick answer... I hate reading, lol.

Thanks for your reply! Plywood was what I was thinking too.

I guess a lot depends on what you are going to be putting into the shelving and how long of a span you are planning. If the span is long, you can help strengthen the shelving by putting some bracing on the back just under the shelf, or you can put a thicker strip of solid wood on the front of the shelf or both, for very heavy items. I believe you can get by with 3/4" plywood for all but the heaviest of electronics.

Also, I think that plywood may offer better deflection (less saging in the middle) than MDF im I am not mistaken.

What are the dimensions of the unit that you want to build?

Here's my dilema:

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/732/open001dm2.jpg

As you can see, I have 2 large "holes" in my wall. We purposely left them open in case the city for some reason needs to check the meters.

Like I said before, this is my 1st house and I'm definitely not rich so I have to work with what I have. This room is pretty small, it's like 12x12, but it's not exactly square. The furnace is off to the left and it's boxed in.

Anyway, I want to cover one or both of the holes with some kind of shelving unit. Ideas would be greatly appriciated... I have no imagination whatsoever.

The big hole is 31"(w)x39"(h) and the small hole is 18"(w)x39"(h).

I'm thinking of making the shelve removable so that I can remove a few screws and pull the unit out of the wall if someone needed to access the utilities.

**edit**

Please don't knock my setup guys, I'm 23, and just bought this crib. I have a 7 month old baby and a fiance that I'm able to support and she doesn't have to work. I'm pretty happy with what I have, but believe me, I would love to be able to afford some of the equipment you guys have! LOL.

Potentially a dumb question. But how deep are the walls usually?

For example suppose I convince my wife that its ok to smash a hole through the wall under the circumanstances that I replace the whole with a nice cabinet, is there anyway to tell how deep I can make my cabinet. Say for example I can only go to a depth of 6 inches this is obviously not a good thing.

I'm building something similar. I plan on using 3/4" plywood, with a few horizontal strips of wood underneath to prevent too much bowing (my space is pretty wide). I'll give it a good coat of hard paint (some lacquer, probably) for durability. It can always be re-painted if necessary.

Guy's
I used birch laminated 3/4"plywood . I picked up at the HD for $28 a sheet. Only $10 more a sheet but very sturdy and a much nicer finish on the wood. Very heavy dense wood.I am not a finish carpenter but just get by hacking along !

If you look around or search home made in wall racks on the big "dedicated theater design forum" you will see many examples of what you are looking for. Good luck Johnathan

Here's my dilema:
As you can see, I have 2 large "holes" in my wall. We purposely left them open in case the city for some reason needs to check the meters.

Like I said before, this is my 1st house and I'm definitely not rich so I have to work with what I have. This room is pretty small, it's like 12x12, but it's not exactly square. The furnace is off to the left and it's boxed in.

Anyway, I want to cover one or both of the holes with some kind of shelving unit. Ideas would be greatly appriciated... I have no imagination whatsoever.

The big hole is 31"(w)x39"(h) and the small hole is 18"(w)x39"(h).

I'm thinking of making the shelve removable so that I can remove a few screws and pull the unit out of the wall if someone needed to access the utilities.


I don't think that it would be a good idea to cover the ulitilies with something as difficult to move as a shelving unit. You would be better off by putting some cabinet doors over them to cover them up. I don't think you would like fumbling around with a shelf if you ever trip a breaker and need to get to it.

Guy's
I used birch laminated 3/4"plywood . I picked up at the HD for $28 a sheet. Only $10 more a sheet but very sturdy and a much nicer finish on the wood. Very heavy dense wood.I am not a finish carpenter but just get by hacking along !

If you look around or search home made in wall racks on the big "dedicated theater design forum" you will see many examples of what you are looking for. Good luck Johnathan

I'm not sure, I may be searching wrong but I searched "home made in wall racks" and can't seem to find much.

I did a google search on birch plywood and that's probably what I'll use.

Fuzz, thanks for the suggestion, I probably will put a cabinet type door over the big gap. I actually could build a shelf there because I can slide behind that wall and still get to the fuse box...