How do I take this apart? BFH?
 

I need to remove this shelf to install a taller printer. It's standard office built in laminate stuff. No visible screws on the outside, but they could be covered by the veneer. Nothing visible under the shelf.

I'd prefer not destroying the cabinet in the process of removing the shelf. Any ideas?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1326819185.jpg

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

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Seriously, there are no screw points on the left and right side of the shelf? Possibly covered with plastic stuck to the screw head (hex style) or tape in the color of the unit? I "thought" these were all put together generally with screws (hex head) or little metal tabs for the shelf to rest upon.

Well looking at my unit here at work everything appears to have been put together with a mortise (is that the right word?). Wafer into a hole all glued together to create "one" unit.

Don't need any more excuses to get that sawsall!

I'm seriously torn between a BFH and a sawzall.

I agree, probably held in via dowls. I don't know if it would be glued as well. If this was a cheap desk that needs to be assembled that you bought from Walmart or Target or something like that, then you'd probably be able to take the top off or possibly unscrew the verticals from under the desktop. If this was purchased assembled, it may not be that easy.

If it's just dowls, then the BFH would be quick and easy, but if there's any glue involved, then the sawzall would be preferable. Since you don't know, then the sawzall may be the best option.

It's part of a big custom cabinetry job. Meant to last forever. Sturdy as hell.

Both excellent choices for when you need to finesse a task.

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

It's dowels, no dado so probably none or a minimal amount of glue. Sawzall might "chinger" it up, maybe a test whack and see what comes loose.

I feel like I'm working for CalTrans, holding up rush hour traffic, while 5 of us stare into a hole (1 leaning on a shovel) and coming up with suggestions. :)

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.

This sounds good, the perfect mix of Sawzall and BFH...

Multi-tool (Bosch, Fein, etc.) with a flush cut metal/wood blade. Tape the cabinet sides so they don;t get too scuffed.

An orbital jig saw may be a better choice vs. a sawzall. A bit more precise.

Use the BFH when it is time to destroy the whole unit.

-Z

Look up from the bottom of the shelf...there may be some round fasteners that turn 1/4 turn to release from a mating peg on the uprights...Ikea furniture always has these.

It's part of this office if that helps.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1326821661.jpg

have you tride smacking up from the leading edge of the shelf from underneath? Like just with your palm?

TMI dude.

Sure hope not.

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.

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.

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.

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

I was going to do the same thing!:eek:

Maybe a tile chisel down the sides?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1326827701.jpg

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

C-4. Works every time.

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?

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

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.

^^^+1

best answer!

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

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.

Tease.