How do I take this apart? BFH?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by rick-l

Could that be a dado that stops a half inch from the front?

Sure hope not.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by BSiple

Cut a section out of the middle of the shelf, then see if you can pull it loose from the sides. You will be destoying the shelf obviously, but it may prevent there from being lots of damage to the outside pieces.

Agreed, don't try to cut at the edge of the shelf, just cut the thing in half. I suspect after cutting in half, the two pieces will come out easily.

[Evans, Marv]

Why not go ahead & make two cuts an inch or more apart, take out the center piece & that will give you some wiggle room. If you want to put the shelf back together, you can use 2 or 3 metal staps screwed in from the bottom (similar to plumber's tape but ridgid) to secure all of the pieces & fill in with wood filler if you want to get rid of the cut lines.

[Hugh R]

If you use a BFH, put a piece of 2"x4" on the edge where you beat on it. That way if it shears off of dowels, you might still have a salvagable shelf.

[HelmetHead]

pour some water on it..it will fall right off

[BRPORSCHE]

Originally Posted by gassy

TMI dude.

I was going to do the same thing!

[Moses]

Maybe a tile chisel down the sides?

[ben parrish]

Japanese saw has a thin blade that, while slow, will not mess up the laminate.

[sammyg2]

C-4. Works every time.

[Mark Henry]

It's screwed together, then plastic laminate is glued on hiding the screw holes.
Best method is the cut the shelf in half suggestion, most likely it will f-up the cabinet, but custom store fixtures are cheaper than the printer.... right?

[DanielDudley]

Multi tool. Unless of course it is the type of shelf that slides out the front.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

If you use a BFH, put a piece of 2"x4" on the edge where you beat on it. That way if it shears off of dowels, you might still have a salvagable shelf.

Assuming it's made of pressboard, the reason the BFH will work will be because the dowls will tear right through the shelf. Using your method, the dowls might damage the part of the desk that he wants to keep. I think the "whack the shelf" option is only recommended because the shelf will sacrifice itself in the process.

[Gogar]

[enzo1]

^^^+1

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by craigster59

bfh with a downward stroke. It'll shear the dowels and take care of that pos old printer at the same time.

best answer!

[flatbutt]

BFH every time. Besides you gots nurses to patch you up.

[Moses]

Originally Posted by NotaBRG

So, did you whack it or what?

Pictures of the carnage?

Haven't ordered the new printer yet. Wreckage starts in about a week.

I'll probably split the shelf and see if it gets loose. If there are screws, I'll shear them off with a sawzall and scraper blade.

[dhoward]

Tease.