Sometimes it is not possible to use the studs, the fasteners have to be in a certain spot, this is when anchors are used, in sheetrock walls we can either use a plastic anchor or a metal star anchor. The metal star anchors will support a greater load than the plastic anchors.

Plastic anchors are pushed into a hole drilled in the wall, when the screw is tightened the back of the anchor expands locking it to the wall.

When the screw in metal star anchors is tightened it buckles metal fingers back to clamp the fastener into the wall. This shows the screw only partially tightened.

There are several methods of hanging the shelves, if they have a back screws can be driven through the backing material into studs or anchors.

A strip can be placed below the shelf and screws can be driven through it as shown below.

To mount a cabinet on a wall either a metal cleat can be used or one can be made by ripping a 45 degree cut through a wooden strip:

To mount a shelf that does not have a strip you can use keyhole slots cut in the supports. This can be done with a router with a special bit and a jig, or metal hardware can be used for this.

If you don't have a router and use the metal plates you will have to cut an insert for the plate with a chisel and drill out the material for a pocket behind the keyhole.

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Insert for plate

This type of mount hangs on screw heads that protrude from the wall, if you have to use an anchor the metal star anchors work best. Insert the anchor, tighten the screw until the fingers are completely compressed against the back of the sheetrock, then back the screw out enough to allow the slot to slide snuggly over the head of the screw.

To mark the position for screws or anchor holes drive a small finishing nail into each of the keyhole slots as shown, cut it off with side cutters so that it protrudes about 1/8". Using a level position the shelf on the wall and press the shelf tight to the wall, the nails will mark the mounting spots. Remove the nails with pliers. If you are not sure if a stud is behind the mark drive a screw into the wall, if it finds a stud use the screw, if not remove the screw and drill a hole for an anchor.

Making Shelves

How shelves are fastened inside a carcass depends on whether they are to be adjustable or mounted in a fixed position. Fixed position shelves can be held in place by cutting dados in the uprights, or by using dowels, nails or screws using a basic butt joint.

To make shelves wider than the recommended distance in the span table dividers can be put below the shelves to support the weight.

Adjustable shelves are usually done by drilling a series of equally spaced holes in the uprights and then using pins or push in brackets to hold the shelves. For added strength and a finished look metal sleeves can be inserted into the mounting holes.

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Bench Notes has a jig for drilling evenly spaced holes that you can make, or there is one available from Rockler, another method is to use a strip of peg board to mark the position of the holes.

Single wall shelves require a support, this can be either under the shelf or at the ends of the shelf, if the shape of these supports are an ogee, then one cut makes two supports.

Simple Shelf Projects

• Bow Shelf
• Three Heart Shelf