An Attempt to Organize: Shelving Unit Construction

[QwikKotaTx]

I had enough of the clutter down the middle and left of my garage, this weekend I built a 3 shelf setup out of 2x4's and 5/8" ply. It's not as stable laterally as I would have liked but for weight handling in compression it seems pretty stout. The shelf frames have 5 cross members including the ends and the vertical supports have 2 continuous 2x4's at the bottom and 2x4 blocks below the upper two shelves all held in with 2 long screws. Thank god for square drives. I pre-drilled the vertical pieces to avoid splitting as encountered on the shelf frames. I mainly store things in 18 gallon totes but also have misc boxes and lawn equipment on or under it. Bottom shelf sits at 24" for clearance for my pressure washer. I got lucky somehow in that I made the verticals 6' high and the drop worked for the bottom shelf support/legs. I may need to add some angle braces to increase lateral rigidity.

 

[Sludge Puppy]

Looks like it will make it a little easier to get to things.

 

[QwikKotaTx]

Yes, but quickly got cluttered up. At least it's only 1 item deep and I can access on both sides. I had thought about building a wall with shelves and parking on one side but I'm glad I didn't as this can be moved if necessary and I can walk all the way around it. Next step is work bench on back wall.

 

[gungatim]

That looks like it is going to rack pretty bad, you should try to put some diagnal bracing on the back side with some plywood, or atleast some cross bracing in some of the corners if you can. At the least, maybe some metal brackets in the cornets.

 

[QwikKotaTx]

Thanks, I will do that for sure. If it was wider it would not be an issue but I made it to fit those totes primarily.

 

[zip95864]

Do you have access to your attic? I have a ton of bins up there.


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[Fizbin]

That looks like it is going to rack pretty bad

Agreed. If it were me, I'd just disassemble it and get some Simpson Strong Ties from the local home center and go at it again. You probably won't even have to re-cut anything, except some notches in the corners of the plywood.

Simpson Strong Ties make your shelves rock solid and nearly industructable. And they're also super easy to work with.

 

[QwikKotaTx]

Do you have access to your attic? I have a ton of bins up there.


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Yes, I have a few things up there but need to deck it further for more space. Problem is all the dang wires in the way that I don't wish to pinch with plywood. Suggestions?