2x4 brace matrix

[curiousburke]

I was recently reading a thread about a concrete cab in which someone recommended a matrix of braces is better. I can't find that thread again, so I'm starting this new one just to throw out an idea.

Would a matrix of 2x4s would act as a good internal bracing system? You could drive long screws right through them to tie them together, and of course they could be screwed and glued to the sides. The advantage of using 2x4 in my mind is that they are very easy (and safer for me lungs) to get and work with. On the downside, the are pine.

What do you think?

-m

[Cal Weldon]

It should be fine. Overkill in fact. You might consider ripping them lengthwise to get two pieces from one 2 X 4. Good idea to offset them slighly in order to divide up your panels into different sizes. That way only one portion of a panel will excite at one time.

[curiousburke]

hi Cal,
thanks for responding. When you say "rip them" do you mean cut them into 2x2s? If I decide to do this project, I guess I could buy those instead, but the way I was imagining it, with the 2" sides touching, that would make for a much tighter matrix.

Do you think, when all is said and done that this would be any easier then standard MDF panel braces?

cheers,
m

[Cal Weldon]

Hi M,

If they are scrap wood, yes rip them down. If you have to buy then you might as well get finger jointed 2X2. 2X4 takes up more internal room and is a lot stronger than you need.

I don't go to the trouble of making an MDF shelf braces but to each his own.