shelving
I would like to mount a fairly heavy shelving unit (~150lbs) to a wall with a number of L-brackets. It being a shelving unit, I would be putting all kinds of books and random stuff on it, thus increasing the weight.
This seems like a bad idea to me. I have no idea how heavy it could end up being with books, DVDs, art supplies, etc.
Is there a limit to how much weight should be mounted to a wall?
Go to the hardware store and pick up a miter box and; if it doesn't come with one, a back saw. While your there pick up a set of chisels, that's really all you need to make the shelves.
Here is a good description of how to cut the rabbet by hand using a back saw.
Warning: You may want to practice on some scrap wood until you feel comfortable.
If you don't mind spending the money you could buy a router and a rabbet bit, this would be the fast more efficient way to make the shelves.
If your brick is solid and does not seem to be crumbly (like in +100 year old house) then I would always suggest and even my self use and Anchor bolt - In some countries called a robolt - These are on of the best load and pull rated bolts. And I always try to use these bolts because you can never be sure about who will put what on a shelf. Using these bolts if installed correctly(not difficult) are rock solid.
All you have to do is:
And because this is for your home and not a building site you would finish it off with a bolt "nut" cover. This will give you some extra points with the wife for paying attention to the finer details. You can get various shapes, colours and finishes. Or just paint over them.
Using anchor bolts makes you only have to worry about the bearing load of the brackets and shelves you use. But it is obvious the shelf max load should not exceed the anchors load capacity to be safe.
I have seen shelves that collapsed because the bracket could not hold the weight but these bolts stayed put!
Disclaimer: Just a bit of humour but entirely factual.
1Monkey Test
It is a test that is taken out on shelves , hooks or other newly installed equipment that will be used to hang things off. The test is simple. Hang on the object and wiggle like a monkey. If it does not rip/pull out / bend or create damage to the area around it. It is monkey proof and guarantees to carry ridiculous load. Tested in South Africa in camping sites near nature reserves on outside fixtures
Best Answer
150 lbs is a very heavy set of shelves, unless the bottom sits on the floor and you only need to secure it to the wall so it won't tip forward. In any case, there is no written limit on weight, but a lot of common sense has to be used in this case. You will want to know what the rating of the "L" brackets are and if strong enough to hold your load. They would have to be securely mounted to studs in the wall with some pretty large screws. There are no anchors for drywall that I would trust for that much weight. Perhaps you might consider some legs from the bottom of your shelf unit to the floor to support the weight.