Anyone have experience with torsion boxes? - Woodworking Talk

MeatPuppwt · 12-30-2007, 03:34 PM

Getting ready to make a bookshelf for a friend and because of the design I thought up I need shelves that will be very stiff and light. Remember reading something about torsion boxes and was wondering if anyone had any experience with them. Can I use solid wood in them or is plywood recommended? Any tips would be appreciated.
Thanks

MeatPuppwt · 12-30-2007, 03:46 PM

Figured I might at well post the design so you can see why I need them or to offer other suggestions. Design was drafted out in Google Sketch-Up

rob.hough · 12-30-2007, 04:30 PM

Couldn't you take your shelf board, rip it down into quarter widths then alternate end grain patterns by flipping every odd board over - glue and then add a front facing stretcher board? It seems like that would prevent it from bowing but I don't know.

xelntchance · 01-02-2008, 03:02 PM

torsion boxes can be made with solid wood ,ply wood even paper { ie. cardboard} if wood is chosen simply dimension the strips and glue up as but joints. staple the joints together. glue the lattice to your ply wood skins and clamp with what ever heavy objects you have handy.