Good Questions: DIY Bookshelf Brace Resources?

Chris sent in a good question: I have some DIY bookshelf ideas planned, but I'm in need of several 10" to 12" long metal braces similar to those used on some Ikea furniture (like the Dalselv and Malm bed bases). Hardware store searching has been unsuccessful, only yielding strange looks from the Home Depot staff. Has anyone seen something like this for sale?

(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.
Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to:
chicago(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)

Please add your suggestions for Chris on places to find braces for his project in the comments below...and thanks!

Comments (10)

check out hafele.com or macmurraypacific.com

both of these websites carry hardware for woodworking, items you won't find at HD or your local hardware stores.

posted by dmh on October 29th 2008 at 10:22am
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Most hardware stores will have a selection of "flat bar stock" metal strips which might come with holes already drilled in the ends, or which you could drill yourself with a good quality drill bit. Aluminum should be strong enough, cheap enough, and very easy to drill. Length isn't much of a problem as long as it's longer than the shelf unit is wide, and shorter than it is tall, since the only thing that matters about these pieces is that they be installed at an angle.

Another option would be a long piece of threaded bar, threaded eyes, and a couple of turnbuckles. Those would have the advantage of being adjustable, so you could tighten them if you need to at some point down the road.

I'd probably just go with flat stock, though.

posted by MikeT on October 29th 2008 at 10:23am
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I'd go to ikea's as is section and find the ones for a malm bed. you'd probably be able to get some real cheap. You could also eye screws and carbunkles from a hardware store as well

posted by streepyj on October 29th 2008 at 10:31am
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would strong metal coathangers do the job?

posted by raz on October 29th 2008 at 10:41am
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Ikea ivar shelving is modular sheving and they sell the metal braces seperatley for a couple of bucks.

posted by BigIRF on October 29th 2008 at 10:43am
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I found the link for the Ikea bracket it is $5.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/67797300

posted by BigIRF on October 29th 2008 at 10:44am
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If it can't be seen, what about plumber's strapping?

posted by dewonangus on October 29th 2008 at 11:07am
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Unfortunately, the ikea braces would be perfect if they weren't crossed and so long. The bracing will definitely be visible, so it looks like the bar stock is my best bet - thanks for the help!

posted by ChristopherB on October 29th 2008 at 11:36am
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One solution I found when looking for a similar thing (for a coffee table) is a screen door brace. It is essentially a rod with a flattened, drilled hole at each end, and a turnbuckle in the middle. It's a little bit sleeker than a full threaded rod.

posted by Modfan on October 29th 2008 at 1:38pm
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I've used the flat bar stock MikeT mentioned for specifically this purpose, tho I had to drill my own holes. They let me do it at the neighborhood hardware store so I didn't have to buy metal drill bits.

And on a technical note, for an x-style brace to work, it does not need to be drilled in the middle (where the Ikea ones are usually connected). I'd stay away from doing so since it can be error prone if it's not exact.

posted by mhulth on October 29th 2008 at 7:37pm
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