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We had the same kind of shelf collapse as seen here, with less drastic consequences. Collapse

I went and found some nice 90-degree pins at the store, but noticed a small problem when installing.

The pins on the new supports are slightly longer than the old ones (old pins are 5/16", new are 7/16"). So when installed the nice L-bracket doesn't sit flush with the wall. Is this a problem? I'm guessing it should sit flush so that the wall helps the pin-hole support the weight. Pics at the end.

Should I just drill the pin-holes to be slightly deeper (assuming the walls are deep enough - these holes are on built-in shelves so it's not immediately obvious if they are) If I don't do that, should I file the pins down? Look for similar supports with slightly shorter pins? Or are they fine as is?

Pins Sticking out

aggieTaxes
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2 Answers2

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The same shape shelf pins are available in the same size you need. The pin is measured at the part that goes into the hole, some are 5MM, some are 1/4" I have never seen 7/16" or 5/16"

Jack
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You could add little shims to the slightly long pins. These would support the pins against the wall and keep them level. Galvanized plumbers suspension "tape" would make good shims and have holes already drilled. Or one or two washers on each pin might do the job. Then again too much shimming might make the space between the side pins too tight for the shelves to fit.

Another fix might be screws in the holes, if you don't plan to move the shelves once you have them set. Of course, if these shelves are fine wood or just good shelves in a fine shelf unit you may not want to makes holes in the bottoms. And if the shelf is heavily loaded, then such screws could have significant pull out force on them.

EDIT

The 5 mm dia pins I have have a plastic shelf support end with the shelf bottom above the level of the pin. They are not L-brackets. I am sure that the all metal "L-bracket" makes a more secure support, and if the fit is tight enough so that drilling the holes deeper is necessary, then this is thing to do.

Jim Stewart
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