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?

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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.

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.

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

would strong metal coathangers do the job?

Ikea ivar shelving is modular sheving and they sell the metal braces seperatley for a couple of bucks.

If it can't be seen, what about plumber's strapping?

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!

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.

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.