i'm soon going to be building 4 new racks. do you suggest using 1/2" or 5/8" plywood? will the wood split with 1/2"? i assume i could just use thinner screws and pre-drill ("pilot?") where i'm going to put the screws.

the 41quart sterilites are 34 3/4." is there going to be concern of the wood bowing, lengthwise (front to back)? i am probably going to be using at least 5 screws from front to back on each side of each shelf.

the reason i'm using plywood and not melamine is because i just don't want to deal with the weight.

sorry for the funny lingo, i'm a chick that's learning how to use powertools, LOL!