Help Building Sturdy Shelf

Leeboy20 · Apr 7, 2010

So, of course im running out of storage room in the new shop. In this picture above my compressor ( since its dead space) , id like to build 2 shelves. The stuff i want to put up there is stuff like, exhaust manifolds, control arms, spindles ( extra racing parts) , you know, stuff that i might not ever use, but i dont want to get rid of just i case. I was thinking 3/4 inch plywood, but im not good at the building process. If someone has an idea, im all ears!

sirsloop · Apr 7, 2010

big pics... but its small in the pic. Just pretend you are building a wall, but attach it to the studs on an angle. Heavy duty metal brackets were used to hold up the non-wall side to the ceiling trusses. Its got 3/4ish plywood for the floor... its solid as hell.

rockchucker · Apr 7, 2010

Build a Box out of 2x6's and put it together on the ground. Sheet it with at least 3/4" Plywood. If the Box is bigger than 2'x2' then put a cross-brace in half way through the box. Every 16" or 2'. Use only Deck Screws. 1 5/8" for the Sheeting and 3" + for the Construction. Then cut 4 equal length 2x4's or 2x6's for the legs. Screw through the edge of the box and attach each leg to the inside corner of the box. Set it in the corner and attach the Box to the wall using the 3" screws making sure they go into the Wall Studs. You could either put it over your Pump or you could put your Pump on top of the shelf. The choice is yours. I find it easier to have extra Storage at ground level and put what you can up high.

For a 2'x2' shelf...

Material List

2- 24" 2x6 or 2x4
2- 21" 2x6 or 2x4
4- 2x4 Legs at height you want
1 2'x2' sheet of 3/4" Plywood
1 5/8" Deck Screws
3" Deck Screws

All of which you can have cut to length wherever you decide to purchase your Lumber.

Or you could build shelves like I built in my shop from the Trusses. Either or you will need to build some boxes...

Here...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59818

Which is very similar to what sirsloop built.

Leeboy20 · Apr 7, 2010

Thanks guys, are you saying put my compressor up in the air on a shelf?

Jack Olsen · Apr 8, 2010

I would put the compressor in a cabinet and then I'd put cabinets above it up to the ceiling.

I'm biased, but I really don't think you can have too many cabinets in a garage. Shelves are okay so long as you're not doing a lot of metal work or wood work in the garage. If that's the case, shelves get covered in dirt and so does everything you've put on them. Cabinets keep stuff out of sight and also keep it all clean.

You did a very good job on the bench. I think you're up to just about any garage construction task.
=

kbs2244 · Apr 8, 2010

“Thanks guys, are you saying put my compressor up in the air on a shelf? “

Think about it.
I have seen compressors tucked between the rafters 20 up.
A good one is a pretty maintenance free thing.
A auto drain will make it even more so.

Also remember there is no law that says the motor/compressor has to be on top of the tank.
You can put the tank on a high shelf and the motor/compressor on a shelf below it.
It just takes a longer hose to connect the two.

It looks like you have a pretty high ceiling.
I would build a long legged table with ¾ ply shelves.
Tie it to the walls so it doesn’t tip.

Auzivision · Apr 8, 2010

Might be over kill, but this is where I sleep when I’m “in the dog house”! (LOL). I’m sure is can hold manifolds and other heavy parts. The hard part is getting anything heavy up this high.

Anyhow, here is 8’X8’ shelf that extends over an open garage door…. used 2X4’s as joists and a 2X6 on the end like a band board with 5/8 plywood. Spread the corner load over three trusses and the other edges were lagged to the studs.

It’s been like 8 years since I had a St. Patty’s day party out in the garage. I suppose its time to take down the decorations.

z28snksknr · Apr 8, 2010

Here's mine - 2x4 frame, 5/8" plywood.

Leeboy20 · Apr 8, 2010

Right on guys....now i must choose!

Matti · Apr 8, 2010

I needed some extra shelf space up high for stuff I don't touch much. I ran 12 feet of 18" Closet Maid wire rack shelving from Home Depot. It's easy to put up and not that expensive. It also doesn't gather dust and you can see what is on the shelf from underneath.

tcianci · Apr 8, 2010

All the suggestions are fine except the recommendation to use deck screws. Many decking screws are stainless steel and have the tensile strength of a Popsicle. The work OK for fastening composite decking which is pretty floppy and easy to pull down into position but if you are hauling up on them to build something sturdy out of framing umber and plywood, get regular wood screws or better yet, save some coin and glue it together and use nails.

Poltax · Apr 8, 2010

This is what I did

R6 Racer · Apr 9, 2010

Auzivision said:
Might be over kill, but this is where I sleep when I’m “in the dog house”! (LOL).

? Vas ezz dis Ofer keel u spek uff ?

Auzivision · Apr 9, 2010

Daz ezz goot und uber ezzay:

Und daz ezz ofer keel:

burger · Apr 9, 2010

Jack Olsen said:
I would put the compressor in a cabinet and then I'd put cabinets above it up to the ceiling.

Ditto that.

Build two stud walls, nail the ends to your existing walls to form a box, then skin the box with OSB or plywood to match what you already have on the walls. For the compressor door, I'd probably buy the cheapest hollow slab door Home Depot sells (the slab ones are easy to adjust to any height).

Instead of cabinets, I'd probably go with open shelves and use the $3.44 bins that Home Depot sells. The bins will keep your stuff clean.

It would make for a fun weekend project.

If you need help figuring out exactly what to build, I'd be happy to lay something out for you in CAD if you gave me some measurements and a good idea of what you want.

Vinko · Apr 10, 2010

This will easily hold manifolds. I've got several thousand pounds on these now.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29696&highlight=shelving

Kevin54 · Apr 10, 2010

One thing to remember about shelving is that if you do any work that makes dust, it will start collecting on the shelves. I'm with Jack O., overhead cabinets are a better way to go.

Leeboy20 · Apr 18, 2010

This is what my neighbor suggested, that is easy.... My computer drawing *****, hope you get the idea.

The red lines is 2x4 screwed to the wall for back and side support
The black line is 2 2x4's ( a post) screwed together as a post and attached to bench
The brown is 3/4 plywood as shelves... What do you think?

Leeboy20 · Apr 18, 2010

So, i spent the day building my shelf, with wood left over from the shop. I know its not the greatest, and i think my level doesnt work anymore :headscrat

.. So, my question is, on the right side of the shelves do i need to put posts down to the floor for braces? Or is 3 inch screws good enough for the frame i screwed to the wall? Heres my other project ....

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