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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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Reinforce bunk bed

I built the below kit bunk bed for my kids and interested in reinforcing the posts to deal with some horizontal sway. It is constructed out of pine and connected with screws, barrel nuts and dowels. ...
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1answer
88 views

Board strength of true 1"x4"

I am trying to make a king-size bed frame. I have 2"x6"x80" pine boards that were free (always best). I planed them down to 1" thick to use for the head/foot/side rails. If I rip ...
2
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2answers
112 views

Floating (kinda) book shelf support

I'm planning to make a bunch of shelves in-leu of a bookcase (see picture). Individual shelves will be attached by a small corner bracket to the wall and to two support posts approximately in the ...
0
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1answer
95 views

Reinforcing fragile wooden pendant?

With help from these boards I was able to reattach the broken-off wing of this wooden owl pendant using wood glue and some clamping power. However, I'm not sure I completely trust this little guy to ...
3
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2answers
138 views

Strengthened leg miter joint with spline [key]

I'm building a coffee table with legs that are sub-assembled with a miter joint. See photo. The plans call for a Domino or dowels in addition to a spline [edit: key, see link below] for added strength....
3
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2answers
336 views

Pull-Up Bar - Wooden dowel - 1.25" actual diameter

I searched but I couldn't really find this answer. I want to use the linked wooden dowel as a pull-up bar. 1.25" oak (not specified which). Is this gonna be strong enough across a roughly 30"...
0
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2answers
141 views

Can I use paracord to prevent a Large desk from racking?

I plan on making a large l-shaped desk out of an ikea counter top and a desktop then making legs out of 2x4s. I was planning on integrating shelves onto the desk legs as regular drawer unit can get ...
1
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1answer
104 views

Are 1.5"x1.5" poplar legs strong enough to support a 3'x2' hardwood top?

I'm building a mobile (not on wheels) kitchen island for my partner in our new apartment, as a first woodworking project. A 3'x2' top is about right for the space, and she'd like an overall height of ...
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0answers
76 views

Produce long, strong, flexible shavings

Ainu people (indigenous to Japan) use long wood shavings as a material to weave or braid into headpieces. The movie Ainu Mosir includes a scene that demonstrates the process of shaving down a green ...
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2answers
72 views

Back panels for wide cabinets

I want to build a free-standing cabinet for the kitchen but since it is my cabinet build, I am not very sure about being able to make a solid/stable cabinet without back panel. It will probably have 4 ...
0
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2answers
385 views

Building a sideways bookshelf

I am trying to build a sideways bookshelf. The space I have to fit the bookshelf in is: Depth: 13.7 inches Length: 87.5 inches Height: 35.5 inches When I looked online for store-made bookshelves, none ...
0
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1answer
109 views

Hardening wood arrows

I just bought wood dowel (beech, to be precise) with a diameter of 8mm and length of 100 cm. I am planning to use them as arrows but there is a problem: my archery skills can be terrible sometimes and ...
2
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3answers
176 views

Do I need the front apron piece in a desk with a 3/4" plywood top?

I'm planning to make this desk for a person who has asked to leave off the front of the apron. She's very short and has difficulty with most desks being too high, and the ones that aren't too high don'...
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0answers
58 views

Minimum leg dimensions for pine stool

I would like to make a wooden stool, but I don't know how thick the legs need to be for it to be safe and sturdy. I have 70x35mm pine and I plan on resawing it to get ~30x30mm legs. Is that enough ...
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0answers
42 views

Wood sag question

I used a 2ft. piece of 2x12 Doug Fir as a small ramp for truck. When truck weight was on the 2x12; the 2x12 flexed (sagged) a little and when the weight was removed the 2x12 went back into its regular ...
3
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0answers
98 views

Stability/joinery method for melamine

I'm building a book case out of melamine. The drawing below show the normal and exploded view. Dimensions are 110cm wide, 30cm deep, 126cm high (~43"x12"x50")". I'm worried about ...
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0answers
103 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 ...
0
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1answer
95 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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0answers
50 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 ...
0
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1answer
304 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 ...
0
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1answer
146 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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0answers
682 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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0answers
107 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 ...
1
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1answer
531 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 ...
0
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2answers
613 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 ...
0
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2answers
134 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
1k 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 ...
2
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3answers
634 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
789 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. ...
3
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1answer
161 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
395 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
81 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 ...
2
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3answers
4k 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 ...
4
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2answers
501 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 ...
2
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0answers
320 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
votes
1answer
105 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
votes
1answer
127 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
votes
1answer
102 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 ...
1
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0answers
374 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 ...
1
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1answer
115 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). ...
1
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1answer
613 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 ...
7
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3answers
3k 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, ...
0
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3answers
124 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
vote
1answer
315 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
211 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
254 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
239 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 ...
1
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0answers
2k 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
votes
1answer
115 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 ...
1
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1answer
112 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 ...

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