The Collapsible Stainless Shelf Bracket

What this bracket is

The Collapsible Stainless Shelf Bracket is a folding shelf bracket made of stainless steel. It mounts to the wall and to the underside of a shelf, and it folds down when the shelf is not in use. The folding action is the point: a shelf or desk that swings flat against the wall frees up floor space in a small room, a laundry area, a garage or a workshop.

Each bracket has holes for screws. You drive screws through those holes into the wall and into the shelf. That is the whole fixing method, and it is the same method you would use for a fixed L bracket. The difference is the hinge, which lets the shelf drop when you no longer need it holding weight.

Sizes

Seven lengths are available. The first number is the length along the wall, and the second is the depth out from the wall. Pick the length that matches the depth of your shelf.

A short bracket suits a narrow ledge or a picture shelf. A long bracket suits a deeper shelf for books, tools or plants. Match the bracket depth to the shelf depth so the shelf does not overhang the bracket or sit short of it.

Finish

The finish is stainless steel. It is a plain, bright metal look that reads as utility rather than decoration, and it sits comfortably next to painted walls, raw wood and other metal hardware. There is one finish for this bracket, so the choice you make is the length.

Fitting and use

Plan the wall first. Find the studs or use wall anchors rated for your wall type and your load. Mark the bracket positions on the wall so they are level with each other, then mark the matching positions on the underside of the shelf.

Drive screws through the bracket holes into the wall. Then drive screws through the bracket holes into the shelf. Check that the shelf folds and unfolds without binding before you load it.

Use the bracket within its rating. This bracket is not for loads heavier than the bracket rating. If you are unsure of the rating for your chosen length, keep the load light, or add a third bracket to spread the weight across more fixing points. Two brackets are in the pack, so a wide shelf may want a second pack.

A few ways people use a folding bracket:

• A desk in a bedroom or hallway that folds away after work.
• A shelf over a washer or dryer that drops down when you need the surface.
• A work surface in a garage or shed that stays out of the way.
• A display ledge in a market stall or craft room.

Care

Wipe with a dry cloth. Keep the hinge area clear of grit so the bracket continues to fold smoothly. If the bracket gets wet, dry it rather than letting water sit on the metal.

What is in the pack

Two brackets. Screws are not listed as included, so plan on using your own screws that suit your wall and shelf material. The bracket is stainless steel, it folds, and it mounts with screws through the bracket holes. That is the full description, and it is enough to choose a length and fit it.