To: WSFAlist at WSFA.org
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2005 04:07:56 -0400
Subject: [WSFA] Re:  REviewer's workshop
From: ronkean at juno.com
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>

On Mon, 17 Oct 2005 16:55:33 -0400 "Mike B." <omni at omniphile.com> writes:

>
> Cheapest and easiest method is 1x12 shelving (or equivalent) set
> across cement blocks.
>
> 8' of 1x12 pine runs about $15 or so at Home Depot (about as
> expensive as you'll find), and cement blocks may be free or a dollar or
two
... If you have uncarpeted floors I recommend
> putting something under the blocks so they don't destroy the floor
surface
> (carpet scraps work).
>
> I wouldn't go higher than about 4-5 tiers with this method though,
> unless
> there's going to be some sort of securing system involved...

The choice of the concrete block sizes and how they are laid is important
for stability and safety.  4x8x16 (WxHxL) and probably 6x8x16 are too
narrow to be stable.  The most popular type of block for this purpose
seems to be 8x8x16 hollow core.  8x8x12 would fit better with 12 inch
boards, if you can find 8x8x12 blocks.

See
http://www.rinker.com/florida/products/masonry/Rinker%20Block%20Chart.pdf

Obviously, the blocks must be laid horizontally, not stood up vertically
on end, to be more stable, but believe it or not I have seen block and
board shelving built with the blocks stood up on end, which seems quite
dangerous.  Just about any type of shelving system which is loaded with
books and is susceptible to falling over can be dangerous for small
children, so some means of preventing that should be used, and the
difficulty of doing that is a major drawback of the block and board
system.  Other types of shelving can more easily be made safe, for
example, two sets of rigid wooden or metal shelves, set in a corner at
right angles to each other, can be bolted together to prevent tipovers.

Don't sustitute pressboard for real solid wood, though
lengthwise-laminated wooden boards are O.K., and they are available in 16
inch widths.  Pressboard just isn't strong enough, and it's likely to sag
or break under the weight of books, assuming 4-foot spans.  Pressboard
might be O.K. with 2-foot spans, but then the number of blocks needed
gets so large that the system will look more like a shelf of concrete
blocks than a shelf of books.

Ron Kean

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