Greetings all. I’m looking for the best way to remove a shelf from a built-in bookcase. A lady wants to take out one shelf to make room for her new flat screen TV. Is there a way to cut the shelf off flush with the sides? Saws-all followed by the belt sander? Any suggestions appreciated.
Dennis
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Replies
a flexible flush-cutting saw would work. It might take a while for your initial cut through the shelf for the back edge but it will work.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=32932&cat=1,42884
The Fein Multimaster will also do this quickly.
Thats a great idea. The shelf is 3/4" thick. Is this saw up to that?
any flexible or offset flush-cutting saw should work. How quickly it does it though will depend on the teeth pattern.
This one will cut really quickly.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=32923&cat=1,42884,42924
To get your initial through-cut, you might need one of these, but I don't know if it will do a flush-cut or if you can go through 3/4" before hitting the bracket where the handle connects
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=33028&cat=1,250,43298,43314
If you don't need to keep the shelf, you can drill some holes in the shelf until your saw can fit though.
Keep in mind that the shelf may have been nailed or screwed from behind. That will quickly damage a saw blade.
Edited 9/10/2008 8:01 pm ET by Chucky
Do you know how the shelf is installed? If it's dadoed into the sides, you're going to have "stump" or a groove to fill in assuming that you will be able to see the sides once the TV is in place...
PaulB
It's not dadoed. The shelf extends to the wall, as if the vertical pieces were added separately as each shelf was added. Thanks.
"It's not dadoed. The shelf extends to the wall, as if the vertical pieces were added separately as each shelf was added. Thanks"
Cut self in middle and remove. Then remove side pieces above and below removed shelf. Replace with 1 new side piece.
"Cut self in middle and remove. Then remove side pieces above and below removed shelf. Replace with 1 new side piece."Why replace side pieces? I would think he could rip some 3/4" x 3/4" stock to fill the gaps.
BruceT
Of course you could patch the sides.... If patching is acceptable.
"It's not dadoed. The shelf extends to the wall, as if the vertical pieces were added separately as each shelf was added. Thanks."I am not sure that I follow you.If it was maded like a barrister bookcase which a bunch of modules that are stacked one top of the other and you cut out the shelf you don't have anything holding the side together.Not understanding the construction I like the idea that some one else suggested. Notching the shelf..
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Is the shelf behind a face frame by any chance? If so cut the shelf out as flush as you can and re-face the inside of the cabinet. Dont know if thats a posibility in your situation so just offering up another choice.
Doug
Doug;There is no face frame, unfortunately. I just checked out the Fein multi-master. I think I feel a tool purchase coming on. A bit pricey, though.
Pricey, yes. but worth it.I have a couple of guys that we help each other out on stuff as needed. I've pulled the MM out with each of them and they scoffed, "what do ya need that thing for?". One of them bought one a few months back and the other is looking to get one juat this week. They both realized the value and usefulness.
TFB (Bill)
Fein MM. A novel approach might be to use a jamb saw and set the depth stop at the shelf thickness. You'd have to use something to finish the cut at the back, though.
The Fein would be my first choice.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
Flat screen TV is by definition not very deep. Can't you just cut back far enough to accommodate the screen and mounting post?
The base for the flat screen is 12" wide. The shelf it will be sitting on is only 9 1/2 " so the base is gonna hang over a bit. This is not a problem for the customer.
Bosch makes a flush cut saw for about 100 bucks vs. the Multi-Master at a bunch more. Anyone have any recommendations re the Bosch?
Thanks for all the responses so far.
They're two different type of saws.
I don't own the bosch, but have owned the MM for several years.
I've used it a bunch in those several years.
A wellworthwhile tool.
The bosch is not the same and I think that looking at it won't be able to do everything the MM does.
If you're serious about remodels, give the MM a closer look.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
"The base for the flat screen is 12" wide. The shelf it will be sitting on is only 9 1/2 " so the base is gonna hang over a bit. This is not a problem for the customer."Maybe not, but if any of her friends ask who did the work, your reputation in their eyes will be based on what they see.When I bought a flat screen HD set I had a similar situation. The base on a free-standing screen necessarily extends in front of the screen, but I wanted the screen to be flush with the opening of the cabinet.I built my own stand of wood that more or less resembles a football blocking sled. A flat plywood base with two vertical 1x2's on its front edge braced by triangular plywood panels. The screen is bolted onto the 1x2's. In the back of the floor of the cabinet I mounted a dead-man the same thickness as the base of my mounting sled and screwed two 1x2 tabs to its top surface extending forward about 3". The sled slides into the cabinet and is kept from tipping forward because its back edge slides under the tabs (slightly beveled at their front edges) on the dead-man. The sled is painted black so the result is a perfectly clean looking installation where the screen seems to float in the opening.
BruceT
Bruce:
Great solution. I'll talk to the customer and see if she wants to go that route, i.e. spend some more $. Thanks much!
Why not just get a wall mount for you tv ? Most of the TV's should follow the VESA Mounting Interface Standard and have holes to attach a wall mount.
Wall mount should work. Still have to remove the shelf to have enough vertical space for the TV.
Thanks to all for your responses.
The MM definitely, you will use it a lot, and once you get it you will wonder how you ever got along without it.
The Bosche sp? is also good but not as many uses as the MM.
I have both.
Edited 9/11/2008 12:26 am ET by supertrimman