Hello, I hope an experienced builder can ease my concern regarding a shelf I want to place a computer on, weighing around 12-13kg.
The shelf I have mounted is an IKEA Ramshult, approximately L=1200xD=300mm, with 3 brackets. The brackets are secured with 1 metal expander at the upper attachment point of the bracket, and the lower part is fixed with a universal plug and a regular screw.
That is a total of 6 support points for the entire shelf, 2 per bracket - 3 molly M6 and 3 approximately 5mm screws, I believe - in universal plugs. The brackets are mounted with about 600mm CC.
The problem is that when I drilled, I discovered that the outermost part of the wall, where the last bracket was attached, seems to be made of single plasterboard and sounds more hollow than the rest of the wall.
According to IKEA, this shelf should withstand a 30kg load, provided it is evenly distributed along the entire length of the shelf.
Now to my question: is my concern justified that the shelf will withstand a 13kg desktop computer that will be placed between the first two brackets, which are mounted in what seems to be double plasterboard?
The shelf itself weighs about 13 kg, and then there will be 13kg resting mainly between the first and second brackets.
I am probably exaggerating my concern, but it is a rather expensive item to risk if the wall gives way because the shelf is heavily loaded between only two brackets and there are only a few cm left from where the computer ends to the edge of the shelf. I had the computer on the shelf for a couple of days before I took it down because I became worried.
From what I understand, these things usually withstand more than what is specified.
Grateful if someone could provide a little opinion
The shelf I have mounted is an IKEA Ramshult, approximately L=1200xD=300mm, with 3 brackets. The brackets are secured with 1 metal expander at the upper attachment point of the bracket, and the lower part is fixed with a universal plug and a regular screw.
That is a total of 6 support points for the entire shelf, 2 per bracket - 3 molly M6 and 3 approximately 5mm screws, I believe - in universal plugs. The brackets are mounted with about 600mm CC.
The problem is that when I drilled, I discovered that the outermost part of the wall, where the last bracket was attached, seems to be made of single plasterboard and sounds more hollow than the rest of the wall.
According to IKEA, this shelf should withstand a 30kg load, provided it is evenly distributed along the entire length of the shelf.
Now to my question: is my concern justified that the shelf will withstand a 13kg desktop computer that will be placed between the first two brackets, which are mounted in what seems to be double plasterboard?
The shelf itself weighs about 13 kg, and then there will be 13kg resting mainly between the first and second brackets.
I am probably exaggerating my concern, but it is a rather expensive item to risk if the wall gives way because the shelf is heavily loaded between only two brackets and there are only a few cm left from where the computer ends to the edge of the shelf. I had the computer on the shelf for a couple of days before I took it down because I became worried.
From what I understand, these things usually withstand more than what is specified.
Grateful if someone could provide a little opinion
Why not the same at the top and bottom, is it the same on all or just one of the brackets. The upper one should support so the shelf doesn't pull out from the wall and hold the downward force, the lower one only has support for pressure from above. Can you take down the shelf and drill an extra hole in the bracket about 5 - 10 cm below the upper hole and use proper anchors on all fixing points?A Alex1337 said:
The brackets are about 15cm with about 13mm cc between the attachment points, in between it's a bit too thick material to do anything sensible, possibly I can manage maybe 10mm cc for a hole above the lower attachment point.J jonaserik said:
See image below, there is extra wood supporting the bracket. therefore I can't make a hole with 5cm spacing.
https://www.ikea.com/se/sv/images/products/ramshult-bracket__0721915_PE733409_S5.JPG?f=s
Otherwise, the easiest is to make the hole where I have the screw for the universal plug/lower attachment point larger - so I can attach these with anchors instead.
Do you really think it's necessary though? I want to avoid leverage though so ... if you think it helps, I'll go for it.