What size and type of screws do you use on Melamine wood?

I'm using 9 x 1 1/2 Wood Screws and it is cracking the Melamine wood in half when I screw it on the sides. Are these screws too long?

You need to drill pilot holes just a little smaller then the screw tha your using to keep it from cracking.

thanks 1 more thing.. the rack wobbles back and forth... do i need to add a back to it? right now it just has 3 levels then the sides.

Pictures would help.

How thick is the melemine you're using?

it's 3/4 inches thick..

it basically looks like a 3 level bookself right now with no backing. i was thinking adding a 3" in length back beam.. would that stop it from tilting back and forth?

You'll need to brace it somehow or it will eventually collapse. Brace the back or put a back on it, just be sure it's secure.

think a 3" back beam will do with a screw behind each level? the length of the wood is 31".

Quote:

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Originally Posted by eMonk

think a 3" back beam will do with a screw behind each level? the length of the wood is 31".

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Nope. You've got to secure it from side to side so it won't tilt and collapse.

Run one piece across the top or bottom, from side to side.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wilomn

Nope. You've got to secure it from side to side so it won't tilt and collapse.

Run one piece across the top or bottom, from side to side.

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i don't see how that would stop it from tilting.

i'm thinking of getting that ultra thin wood (not too sure whats its called) that is used behind dressers as the back then nail it in??

Quote:

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Originally Posted by eMonk

i don't see how that would stop it from tilting.

i'm thinking of getting that ultra thin wood (not too sure whats its called) that is used behind dressers as the back then nail it in??

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If you secure a brace to each side and in the middle, it will keep the unitl from tilting sideways.

A back is even better. I think the wood you're thinking of is Luan, it's cheap.

You may want to give some thought to pegboard too.

heres some pics

like i said a normal bookcase with no backing:
http://f.imagehost.org/0480/IMGP0218.jpg

should i make the top piece 3/4 inch x 2 longer so it covers the entire top with that white surface? and to screw from the top instead of side?
http://f.imagehost.org/0824/IMGP0219.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wilomn

If you secure a brace to each side and in the middle, it will keep the unitl from tilting sideways.

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what do you mean by securing a "brace". is that done by screwing another piece of wood onto this rack or something else to get?

nevermind figured out what that means. guess i will create a brace at the bottom of the stucture where that 3" gap is then run another one in the middle. i'm thinking of making the brace 3" wide, will that be ok?

i made up my mind and will create 3 braces in the middle of each level at the back. thanks for all your help!