Calling all carpenters/handymen:

[Jenson71]

I'm making a desk. The desk will be sqaure, about 3' wide and 3' long. On the back half of the top of the desk, I want to put a shelf. The shelf needs to be strong enough to hold at least 90lbs. My question is this: What kind of wood should I use, since it needs to be very strong and durable? Thanks.

[penguinz]

petrified wood.

[hypersensitiveZO6]

TD wood.

[Jenson71]

petrified wood.

I'd also like it to be somewhat affordable, and able to buy it at a Menards/Lowes type place.

[BIG_DADDY]

I'm making a desk. The desk will be sqaure, about 3' wide and 3' long. On the back half of the top of the desk, I want to put a shelf. The shelf needs to be strong enough to hold at least 90lbs. My question is this: What kind of wood should I use, since it needs to be very strong and durable? Thanks.

I thought you knew all about wood being a rough rider and all.

[penguinz]

Use either Oak or Maple.

[Jenson71]

Use either Oak or Maple.

Thank you very much. How strong is Black Walnut?

[penguinz]

It is strong. But expensive. Great looking wood if you are looking for a natural dark wood.

[Jenson71]

It is strong. But expensive. Great looking wood if you are looking for a natural dark wood.

Because I have a lot of it. And I can use it. If it is just as strong as maple or oak (or better yet, stronger) I would use it.

[BIG_DADDY]

Because I have a lot of it. And I can use it. If it is just as strong as maple or oak (or better yet, stronger) I would use it.

It's plenty strong for what you want dude.

[|Zach|]

Just use wood that is soaked in the blood of your enemies.

[Always a Chief fan]

Use Oak. It's pretty, it's strong, and will hold 90 lbs.

[|Zach|]

It's plenty strong for what you want dude.
Yup

[BIG_DADDY]

Just use wood that is soaked in the blood of your enemies.

ROFL

[unlurking]

Not a carpenter here, but I would think that leg and table top thickness/design would be more important to weight bearing discussions.

[Rain Man]

If you have a lot of Black Walnut, then why are you wanting to buy more wood somewhere else?

[kcfanintitanhell]

If you have a lot of Black Walnut, then why are you wanting to buy more wood somewhere else?

Damn, if you have a lot of black walnut, sell it!
Make a desk out of particle board, and take a cruise or something.

[Bugeater]

Not a carpenter here, but I would think that leg and table top thickness/design would be more important to weight bearing discussions.

Absolutely. The strength of wood is directly proportionate to the height. I'm not sure what he's using or what he has supporting it. If the board is only 3/4" thick over a span of 3', while it may not fail, it could sag over time.

[Fish]

So Jenson is looking for thick black wood.......?

[unlurking]

So Jenson is looking for thick black wood.......?
hahaha

rep

[jspchief]

You can use any type of wood you want. It's just a matter of designing the shelf properly. A 1x2x3/4 beam running across the bottom of the shelf at front and back would likely be plenty of support for a shelf that only spans 3'.

[jspchief]

Forgive my MS Paint skills, but here is a crude drawing of what I'm referring to.

[|Zach|]

Forgive my MS Paint skills, but here is a crude drawing of what I'm referring to.
**** that Bronco shelf.

[jspchief]

**** that Bronco shelf.Jeezuz, it didn't even occur to me.

I would use that particular shelf to hold piles of shit.

[|Zach|]

I would use that particular shelf to hold piles of shit.
ROFL ROFL

Organization is important.

[Dartgod]

Balsa should do the trick.

[cdcox]

Damn, if you have a lot of black walnut, sell it!
Make a desk out of particle board, and take a cruise or something.

Seriously. If you build this out of black walnut you will have one very expensive desk. If this is your first carprentry project, I wouldn't do it out of black walnut, even if it was free, just out of respect for the wood and how long it took to grow it. You can build some servicable college type furniture out of pine or even particle board that will hold all your books just fine.

[Phobia]

Black Walnut? Give me that lumber and I'll provide you with plenty of oak for your project.

[Iowanian]

What is your price range?

Does it need to look really nice or just be effective for its intended use?

That Walnut is very valuable....Its also very strong and will look very, very nice if you finish it right.

[jspchief]

As others have mentioned, Walnut is pretty expensive.

Beyond that, it's a very hard wood. That means you're going to need quality tools to work with it. Saws with adequate power, and quality sharp blades on everything. Otherwise you're going to get a lot of burning when cutting.

Judging by the questions being asked, It sounds liek you're pretty inexperienced. I would recommend using yellow pine. It's cheaper and softer (easier to work with). And it's also readily available in a lot more sizes than hardwoods are. If you use a quality conditioner before staining, you can get great results from pine.

[Lzen]

Use particle board. And be sure to soak it in water for a few hours before you start. That'll help it become really strong.


:)

[Dartgod]

Use particle board. And be sure to soad it in water for a few hours before you start. That'll help it become really strong.


:)
ROFL

That's better than my balsa wood smartass reply.

[Iowanian]

Measure 3 times, Cut once.