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Questions tagged [strength]

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Use for Questions where the strength of the materials and/or the overall design is of primary importance.

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70 views

Using plywood for vertical shelving?

I want to build some shelving (actually, on wheels, for use as a rolling cart) and I'd like to use 3/4" hardwood plywood for the whole thing, because it's cheaper than wood boards and I'm going ...
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1answer
61 views

Strengthening plant stand butt joints

I want to start working on my first woodworking project: a plant stand. It's quite a large project (for being first project), but my neighbor has worked on some projects and he can help me to some ...
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67 views

Brackets instead of pocket holes

I'm building a farm=style dining room table with thick legs. Dimensions are - 7 ft L x 38.5 in W x 31 in T, with tabletop being 1 inch. I don't know how to do pocket holes, can I use brackets ...
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44 views

Flexing in middle of 3/4" walnut table top

I am building a table made out of 3/4" walnut. Right now, I have it on saw horses but will soon be attaching legs via cleats. The problem I am having now is that I'm noticing a bit of flex in the ...
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1answer
52 views

Building a Rolling Wall, Step 1 The Base

I am working on a project to create a rolling wall for a local art gallery. Wall will be 8ft wide, 7ft tall and 1-1/2ft deep. I'm planning to frame it with 2x4s as a standard wall, mounted on top of a ...
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1answer
82 views

Strength of plywood walls for built-in bookshelves

I am planning on building built-in bookshelves that would span the length of a wall. Each unit would consist of a cabinet base ~2' across with a set of bookshelves mounted on top. The depth of the ...
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42 views

How to decide upon leg placement

I have prepared a 7.5 ft x 2.5 ft piece of monkeypod wood that is approximately 2 inches thick. It will serve as a computer desk. The heaviest object on it will be my desktop tower (~25-30 lbs). You ...
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99 views

Bookshelf with cutout

I've built a bookshelf that is basically just glued wood with notches cut in: With the vertical struts 50cm apart, this is ideal for just about anything: it nicely fits 40cm Euroboxes and 19 inch ...
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1answer
109 views

How thick to make toddler bed slats

I'm building a bed for my toddler out of pine, and wondering what dimension wood I should use for the bed slats, and how many. Toddler mattresses are generally on the order of 52" x 27" or 28", so I'm ...
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2answers
72 views

How to build a stable heavy bag stand for kickboxing?

I am trying to build a heavy bag stand. I am going to place it outside in the car shed (which is open from three sides). I am wondering what is the best way to give it a strong base. The heavy bag ...
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2answers
127 views

How can I replicate this joint?

The picture looks like simple miter but how can I make this a strong miter myself?
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3answers
216 views

Weight capacity of cabinet made of 1/2" plywood

I would like to determine the weight capacity of a cabinet made of 1/2" plywood which is 18" deep and 60" long, 37" high. The cabinet has 2 sides and 2 uprights spaced about 20" from either end. The ...
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54 views

Making a “behind the couch table”?

table legs are 6 pcs. ea.@ 2x2 30"long placement to be on ea.corner w/1 in the middle on ea.side lengthwise ; table-top is a 2"thick 10"x6' (nominal length WxL). It wasn't until after making that ...
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3answers
232 views

Which shelf holds the most weight

I am new to this forum so please bear with me. My wife wants a "retro" shelf in the kitchen and wants it as figure B on the image. Is there a difference in "strength" (i.e., able to hold more or ...
2
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1answer
253 views

Is a single dowel strong enough to resist sheer forces on a bed frame?

I am building a new bed for the missus for Christmas. She liked this bed from ikea: The problem is where the headboard connects to the legs. The legs/headboard piece are both 1.5 inches in diameter. ...
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1answer
113 views

Back nail or face nail. Which is stronger?

Say you have the opportunity to nail a piece of trim in from the back with an 16-18ga finish nail on a barn door (so all wood construction). You were smart about it and made sure it wouldn't bust ...
2
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1answer
61 views

Wooden dowel rod for wall hangings

I'd like suggestions of what size (diameter) and wood type to use for a project I'm considering. I want to make macrame wall hangings that incorporate plant holders, so the rod would need to be strong ...
3
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1answer
70 views

Is support on three sides of a long poplar bookshelf enough?

I'm hoping to install a 94" wide, 8" deep, 1/2" thick bookshelf made of poplar in a location surrounded by three walls. Thanks to the three walls, it would be painless to support the shelf on boards ...
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3answers
2k views

How Much Weight Can a 1inch x 11inch Dowel Hold/Support?

I am asking about the 6416U 1 in. x 1 in. x 48 in. Hardwood Round Dowel they sell at Home Depot. I plan to join 3 4x4s and use the middle one as a swivel, the middle one will be under load and the 2 ...
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2answers
262 views

Best way to scab joists for bridge

I'm building a bridge across a ditch in my nephews front yard. Shown here is an elevation of one of the four joists that will support 2 x 6 redwood treads, width of 5.5'. To achieve the curve, I will ...
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0answers
193 views

Looking at attaching metal legs to a table top

Basically I have some standard metal tubing square legs which I want to affix to a table base. Hopefully the pics attached below show my idea but I am thinking of attaching a wood block on the ...
2
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1answer
97 views

Which way of joining is stronger?

I have to build a box to extend the length of a projector bracket: The projector bracket weighs 7kg and has an arm of about 500mm. The projector weighs another 5kg. The box has a depth of 140mm. ...
4
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1answer
117 views

Dovetailed spine?

I snagged the image below while looking online for dovetail examples. Instead of two boards coming together, it appears that the joint, what I called the spine in the title, is a third piece to ...
2
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1answer
87 views

Flower Press with 1/8" thick plywood

I am making classic flower presses with children. We'll be sandwiching from top to bottom: a plywood sheet, cardboard, paper, flowers, paper, cardboard, and a plywood sheet. Each corner of the ...
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0answers
266 views

Which weight bearing knockdown joints

I'm building a Murphy bed with 18mm plywood. I would like to use knock-down joints for the sides of the base (outer-frame). My research led me to cross dowels (see below) When doing some tests ...
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1answer
112 views

If I make a stool from this composite (?) wood, will it end in tears?

I want to try making a stool based on this video series by Paul Sellers. Unlike Paul, I will use some power tools (power drill, oscillating tool for sanding/cutting, maybe rotary tool for sanding). ...
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1answer
311 views

Reinforcing chipboard

I'm not a woodworker of any kind but I am building a desk from a laminate kitchen worktop measuring 3000x600x38mm (L x W x T) but I only want the legs on the side. I don't want to have to put an ...
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3answers
2k views

Endgrain screw withdrawal force

The engineering toolbox has a screw withdrawal strength calculator but it assumes the screws are perpendicular to the grain. I could not find a calculator for screws installed parallel to the grain, ...
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3answers
99 views

Trying to determine support weight

I have 3 2X4 walls 16" high 30" long and 3/4 inch MDF plywood top. How can I figure its load support capabilities? What I'm doing is building a platform to put a washer and dryer on and need this to ...
1
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1answer
188 views

Sealing and reinforcing particle board

I am making some picture frames from an old table. The table top is oak slats on top of particle board. I’ve sliced the table and trimmed the slices with walnut, and cut rabbets in the frames. Like ...
2
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1answer
130 views

Is this frame design sturdy enough for a window seat?

Hope that this is the right forum for woodworking design critiques. I'm experienced with plywood but this is my first time attempting 'sturdy' furniture. I'd like to make sure it's going to be strong ...
0
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2answers
209 views

Is this shelving wall mounting idea stupid?

I am quite an amateur when it comes to woodworking, but I am very pragmatic and have done as much research as I can think to do so I don't mess anything up. But I can't really find anything to suggest ...
0
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1answer
191 views

Monkey Bar / Play structure design question

I am trying to make a monkey bar for my daughter with Bamboo stakes I got from craiglist. I have a design like this in my mind. There are two parts of this design, 4 Vertical support beams. 2 ...
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0answers
1k views

Dowel vs screwed butt for strongest butt joint in moving structural frame

Hi I am reading about all the different joint types and when to use them. I am building a frame out of 2x2 lumber, joined at 90% most of the time, that will be under a lot of stress. I figured out ...
3
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1answer
83 views

Laminating Boards For loft Leg

I'm designing the leg for a bed loft and was planning on laminating together 4 1x4's of Poplar. The middle two boards would not go the full length of the leg, so that a 2x6 can slide into it. This ...
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1answer
104 views

Copycat furniture legs

Looking for advice on achieving copycat look of the metal leg X-base; gold and marble table pic. My skill set and budget doesn't allow for welding or purchasing custom base. Hoping to achieve the ...
1
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0answers
58 views

Would a threaded insert placed in or near the seam of a biscuit joint affect its strength?

Hopefully the question is clear. The threaded insert would be about a 1/2" long, and the lumber would be 8/4. The insert would be for a leg or a headboard bracket. If it would compromise strength, I ...
1
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2answers
4k views

Guess How much Weight the table can hold

i am new to wood working and just made my first wood table. I was trying to calculate how much weight will it hold on its top but i cannot reach any conclusion. So if any of you have any experience ...
1
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2answers
91 views

How to stop cat shelf split

I have two cat shelfs (brought, sorry). The problem that i have is that they are sometimes quite weak. How do I make them more secure? What do I need to do? This is the bottom of the shelf ...
8
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4answers
4k views

Strong method for bottom of a box

I want to make a box for a sewing machine. I can make dovetails or more likely simple box joints for the four vertical corners, but what's a good sturdy design for fitting a bottom so the weight of ...
2
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2answers
104 views

When do I need to support the center of a horizontal, load-bearing board?

I am going to make a low platform for my washer/dryer. Its sole purpose is to provide a level surface; my basement floor is scary uneven. I'm envisioning something like this: The leveling feet are ...
1
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1answer
846 views

What depth and offset from edge my dado / groove in particle board should be?

This is a follow-up on this question (How to make bottom for a big drawer)? I have also read this one (What are the minimum, maximum, and optimal depths for dadoes, grooves, and rabbets) and I'm not ...
4
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1answer
590 views

How to make bottom for a big drawer?

I'm making a set of amateur under-bed "drawers" from scrap. Nothing fancy, just re-using materials from old closet. This is my first project of such scale. There are intended to be 3 quite large ...
2
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2answers
178 views

Is standard box joinery sturdy enough for a hollow table leg?

I'm planning to make a desk with adjustable height. I want the legs to be two pieces: a lower, thicker leg from which a thinner upper leg can telescope. This means that the lower legs will essentially ...
3
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3answers
473 views

Question about the strength of Douglas fir

I need your help. I am a rock climber and I use a hangboard (photo) to train finger strength. It's a wooden board mounted on a 3/4" thick piece of plywood, which is screwed into some studs with some 3"...
2
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1answer
124 views

Carving a wooden handle - any rules of thumb?

I am carving a box with a pin-hinge lid out of a spalted japanese maple branch. The branch had an egg shaped cross section, so there is a ridge running down one side of the box. I am considering ...
1
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1answer
347 views

How might I design a “quick-breakdown” feature to allow easy assembly and disassembly of this floating beds frame supports?

I have built a couple floating beds now and assembly and disassembly is very time consuming. I've tried researching possible braces to allow the person who is assembling the frame the quickly connect/...
1
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1answer
103 views

For a kid's balance beam, which way should the grain face?

I made a wood balance beam for my daughter out of a fir 4x4 and some compression joints. Which direction should the grain be? Should the grain run parallel or perpendicular to the top of the beam?
4
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3answers
2k views

How can I strengthen my 3/4" Plywood Bunk Bed Plan?

I'm working on a plywood bunk bed for our two 4 year olds. Obviously I need it to look cool, but more importantly not collapse on their impressionable skulls. I plan on using 3/4 plywood (.706 or so) ...
6
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3answers
2k views

Shelf made of 1x2 pine boards. Stable?

This is just a basic project for fun and experience. The shelf will measure about 48,24,12 (H,W,D). Do you think this would hold an even load of 50 lbs per shelf with 5 shelves?

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