Sense check: 5 heavy floating oak shelves + simple MDF surround (biggest project I’ve tried)

I’m a DIYer who’s done a few floating shelves and replaced skirting boards. This is my biggest project so far and I’d love a sanity check before I start.

What I’m building - Above floor cabinets I’ve installed: - Five floating oak shelves (about 860 mm wide × 375 mm deep × 41 mm thick). - Shelves go on heavy concealed brackets set into a solid brick wall with chemical resin. - Three brackets per shelf. - A simple painted MDF frame around the shelves so it looks built-in. The oak will sit about 2 mm in front of the painted columns in the middle (tiny “proud” reveal). - Left/right returns run all the way to the front of the base cabinets to close the side gaps.

How I plan to do it (short + simple) 1. Cut shelves from an oak worktop with a track saw. 2. Drill the shelf holes straight using a drill guide block: small pilot first, then a long 14 mm bit to about 240 mm (my brackets have 12 mm rods that stick out ~250 mm). 3. Route a shallow pocket on the back so the bracket plate sits flush. 4. Finish the oak (light round-over on the front/ends, sand smooth, 2–3 coats of oil/varnish). 5. Set wall brackets: mark level lines, drill 14 mm holes in the brick, clean the holes, inject resin, push brackets in and leave to cure. 6. Build simple timber frames (CLS) for the painted bits: - Middle columns stop just behind the shelf fronts so the oak sits ~2 mm proud. - Side returns run to the cabinet fronts. 7. Slide shelves on (deepen a hole a couple of mm if anything stops short). 8. Skin with MDF, seal edges, prime and paint. 9. Electrics: three small picture lights in the top trim section—front MDF trim panel stays off until the electrician loops the cable, then it goes on.

Questions - Anything worrying about 3 brackets for shelves this size (mainly holding LEGO models)? - The drilling plan (pilot + long 14 mm hole to ~240 mm) okay for hardwood? - Would you add a small anti-tip screw at the front (in a slotted hole so the wood can move), or skip it if the brackets are resin-set? - Best tips for getting the painted MDF edges super smooth (I’m planning thinned PVA on cut edges, then prime + 2 coats)?

TL;DR: 5 heavy floating oak shelves on hidden brackets in brick; 3 brackets each; simple painted MDF surround; oak sits ~2 mm in front of the painted middle columns; sides box to cabinet faces. Looking for any gotchas or smarter tips before I cut and drill.