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Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: skipper on October 19, 2013, 08:41:16 pm

Title: Drilling into the closet
Post by: skipper on October 19, 2013, 08:41:16 pm

I am putting some shelves in the closet.  Does anyone know how thick the closet wall is and how far I can put a screw in until I punch a hole in the outside skin?  Thanks, Mark

Title: Re: Drilling into the closet
Post by: TomHanlon on October 20, 2013, 08:53:47 am

At the factory I saw them using one inch screws for just about every thing. To be safe I would call the factory and ask them.

Title: Re: Drilling into the closet
Post by: lghjr on October 20, 2013, 08:08:07 pm

Drill small hole in inconspicuous location near to where you are contemplating and use a stiff wire ( like welding rod, unfluxed kind)  sharpened like ice pick get through the insulation easier, measure, to check the distance to the outer wall and subtract the thickness of the wood and you have a workable number. Most of that paneling is 3/16" luan with a vinyl face.

Title: Re: Drilling into the closet
Post by: skipper on October 21, 2013, 10:15:47 am

Great idea, thanks!  Putting shelves in these closets is testing my limited carpentry skills.  Almost everything curves and curves at different rates.

Title: Re: Drilling into the closet
Post by: RichardP on October 21, 2013, 03:57:17 pm

"...curves at different rates..."  I know calculus would come in handy some day! :)

Richard

Title: Re: Drilling into the closet
Post by: Ron Dittmer on October 21, 2013, 04:30:29 pm

Quote from: skipper on October 21, 2013, 10:15:47 am

Great idea, thanks!  Putting shelves in these closets is testing my limited carpentry skills.  Almost everything curves and curves at different rates.

Oh yes!

I created patterns made of cardboard for our front cabinet shelves.  It took a lot of patience.

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3588/3508503966_b4a8fc4c69_z.jpg?zz=1)

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3414/3507692759_7c2357c304_z.jpg?zz=1)

As far as I know, all interior walls are 1/8" thick.  Plan to use screws with that depth in mind.  When screwing into the light colored wall material like seen in my pic above, be sure to pre-drill to the screw inside thread diameter.  This will prevent the wall material from fracturing and breaking out.  You want the threads of the screws to bite in, but the center shaft of the screws must pass through or they will force your pre-drilled hole larger in a bad way.

Title: Re: Drilling into the closet
Post by: skipper on October 27, 2013, 02:40:31 pm

Thanks for the tips!  I got the shelves in.  It ain't pretty (luckily it's behind a door), but they survived our first trip and the shelves are worth their weight in gold.  Mark