[Elecraft] Ham Shack Arrangements - just a little OT

[Don Wilhelm]

Mel,

Your determination of the required shelf length sounds quite reasonable.
If you are working with plywood, a normal maximum length for a bookcase 
shelf of 3/4 plywood is 32 inches without interim supports.
If the shelf is going to be longer than that, or you will have 
substantial weight on the shelf, glue 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 inch high edging 
strips of 3/4 inch thick solid wood to the front and back to conceal the 
plywood edges.

To keep the shelf assembly from racking, rabbet the back of the assembly 
and fasten in a 1/4 inch plywood back - then cut large slots (at least 3 
inches wide leaving 2 1/2 inches of material at the ends and under the 
top) in that back panel to provide adequate ventilation and space to 
pass cables through.

I have had considerable woodworking experience both as a hobby with 10 
years running a small custom woodworking shop and doing specialty 
designs for customers.  Make it look like furniture - go to a shop that 
deals in hardwoods and buy quality materials.  If you buy at a DIY 
store, check the materials carefully to be certain sheet goods are flat 
and the solid materials are not warped.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 9/17/2015 10:56 AM, Mel Farrer via Elecraft wrote:
> Depending on the desk top, the routing of the cables can be a mess.  I put a false back and dressed the cable through slots and the mess was behind the panel.  A thought.
> Mel,, K6KBE
>
>        From: "Chuck Milam, N9KY" <N9KY at arrl.net>
>   To: bruce <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
>   Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2015 7:15 AM
>   Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Ham Shack Arrangements - just a little OT
>     
> I've really enjoyed the conversation about shack and desktop setups, as I'm
> about to get into the garage, get behind the saw, and build a desktop
> equipment shelf.
>
> I've been talked out of building vertical supports, thanks to this
> list.