I would like to buy some storage racks for my garage. Are there any online stores selling recommended products? I'm looking for something fairly heavy duty and have so far been disappointed by the choices at Local big-box stores. Costco used to stock some nice Snapon racks, but my local store no longer carries them. Anyone know if those can be bought online?
Free-Standing Storage Racks
- Thread starter Jimrod
- Start date
bad_idea
Well-known member
Build em. That's what I do as I need them. I enjoy welding though, I find it relaxing.
I built my own out of wood using corner connectors from Strong Tie. Here is a link to their project page. I have built five of these units and they can carry some weight. I used a minimum of 1/2" plywood/OSB for the shelf decking.
http://www.strongtie.com/DIY/projects.html#shelves
http://www.strongtie.com/DIY/projects.html#shelves
hockey88fan
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 25, 2011
- Messages
- 428
I just built one last week with 2x4 and osb, it is sturdy.
some zilch
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2008
- Messages
- 318
craigslist.............pallet racking
Jarhead0408
Well-known member
X2 on the pallet racking^^^
Need to pick one up from a place in Durham.
Need to pick one up from a place in Durham.
Dustball
Well-known member
x3 on pallet racking.
machine_punk
Well-known member
I like the chrome-plated wire racks, like you see in restaurant kitchens, for the garage.
Costco has a decent one right now, for about $100. There are plenty of places to get them, though. They are sturdy, adjustable, and hold a lot of weight. If you don't need to hold quite as much weight, you can even put the casters on them, and move them, if needed.
View media item 20461
You can make hardboard liners for cheap, if you need solid shelves...
View media item 20462
The shelves are adjustable about every inch. You can leave shelves out or buy extra shelves to fit. I even cut the uprights down on this one, to fit it under a bench...
View media item 20463
M_P
Costco has a decent one right now, for about $100. There are plenty of places to get them, though. They are sturdy, adjustable, and hold a lot of weight. If you don't need to hold quite as much weight, you can even put the casters on them, and move them, if needed.
View media item 20461
You can make hardboard liners for cheap, if you need solid shelves...
View media item 20462
The shelves are adjustable about every inch. You can leave shelves out or buy extra shelves to fit. I even cut the uprights down on this one, to fit it under a bench...
View media item 20463
M_P
Daniel Dudley
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2009
- Messages
- 3,546
Sam's club has heavy duty racking. Check it out.
darkk
Well-known member
Jaguar Fan
Well-known member
^^ +1 ^^
My preference is the Sam's Club racks over the Costco racks in terms of value for price paid.
I was driving through Utah a couple days ago & saw that Costco had one style of their rack deeply discounted so that would be the one I would buy if I were buying today. Note that Costco doesn't always have the same merchandise in each store, so your local costco might not have this on sale. I don't remember exactly the price, but I think it was about $40. I think the Sam's Club racks I have were about $55 each.
If it were me, I would first head to Costco then to Sam's.
JasonW
Well-known member
Those hardboard liners are a great idea. I did something similar with cardboard but I like your idea better.
I acquired my wire racks off craigslist pretty cheap only the previous owner had used them as 3 ft tall shelves rather than 6 ft and I didn't get the fittings to tie the two sections of tube together. Anyone know where I might find some?
It's commonly called "Metro Shelving." A quick google gave me a lot of sources for parts. Here's one:
http://www.steelshelving-usa.com/MetroMax-i-Handles-Posts-and-Casters-s/348.htm
http://www.steelshelving-usa.com/MetroMax-i-Handles-Posts-and-Casters-s/348.htm
machine_punk
Well-known member
- Those liners were a bear to make fit...what finally worked for me was to cut them to width on the table saw, then cut them to length (I used a table saw, but a crosscut saw of some sort would be easier)., then set the blanks on an unattached shelf and mark the center holes of the corner cutouts (I used the appropriate hole saw with pilot bit and just marked the center 'by sight,' then use that hole saw to cut out the corners).
- I did a quick search of eBay (Metro Shelving Parts) and found a couple of folks who were clearly selling their leftover shelving parts for decent prices, you will have to watch closely for the threaded connectors, though, there don't seem to be many out there.
M_P
carhunter
Well-known member
What are you storing (size and estimated weight?) Do you have standardized containers like tupper bins or cardboard boxes?
The problem with pallet rack for me was that the members are so bulky, you lose a lot of height capacity for each shelf.
Ditto for 2x4 shelves but they can at least be made to fit your space easier.
If you ask around at auto parts stores you may find who liquidates their physical assets when a location closes. I picked up some shelves that were metal-reinforced particle board, with metal uprights, for $30/section (36x18 or 24")
These guys have a ton of ideas
http://www.buymetalshelving.com/?gclid=COjvxryavbECFQa8KgodvF4AIQ
I'm slightly OCD about storage ideas and love looking at this stuff
carhunter
Well-known member
I just built one last week with 2x4 and osb, it is sturdy.
Those look great. Could I make one suggestion? Put a 2x4 brace at ground level between your front and rear legs - Unsecured like that, its easy to bump a leg and break it off.
Burgerkong
Well-known member
Edsal racking. Made in the USA, HD or Lowe's should carry them.
Costco has some really good ones on sales now.
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...rice|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=bd
I have a bunch of these in the garage, just bought 3 more for the shed.
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...rice|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=bd
I have a bunch of these in the garage, just bought 3 more for the shed.
Burgerkong
Well-known member
Really appreciate all the great suggestions. Those Edsel racks look like the best option for me. They do an Industrial strength one that should be ideal.
Forgot to say this, the Costco nearby has Edsal racking now. I've seen the lighter duty Whalen racks on display and sale as well, but thought they were a tad flimsy.
HalfMoon
Member
+1
I got 2 of these and added an extra shelf for ~ $40 and used the Lowes mover's coupon for 10% off. They work great.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_319477-1281-7224PRBWWD3_0__?productId=3172913
ZRX61
Well-known member
Friend just got a couple of them, very nice units, they were $64 here.
Yeah that price includes delivery most likely, they are usually about $64 in the stores. Those are the same ones that are discounted (currently $25 I think) and it may be to make room for those Edsal, they have been sold out in my Costco for several weeks (I was hoping to get two more to match my existing 3).
They sold their display and did not put another up when they got more. Those lasted a day and sold out again. I really like the Whalen for what it is. The Edsal is more sturdy but that doesn't mean the Whalen is not sturdy.
They sold their display and did not put another up when they got more. Those lasted a day and sold out again. I really like the Whalen for what it is. The Edsal is more sturdy but that doesn't mean the Whalen is not sturdy.
good ideas on all the racking. Just one safety tip. secure your racks to the wall. (or ceiling if freestanding) A lagscrew into the concrete near the top of each upright is enough. You don't want them tipping over in a mild earthquake, or if your 4-year-old decides to climb up the front. (yep, they do that, and not ony at that age!)
Costco has a $24 off coupon. Looks like your friend needs to go back to Costco for a refund.
dittle fart around
Well-known member
I have industrial shelving on my web site. ShopStorageCabinets.com
AndysMBgarage
Well-known member
I'd put some strapping as bracing across the back diagonally from top right to bottom left and top left to bottom right, but otherwise that's as tough as nails
When I built my garage I had a contact to get second hand industrial racking @ 3m lengths. I designed the work area to suit the racking size to save wasted space. In most cases second hand racking is cheap compared to buying the timber and spending the time to make the shelving. If course there is no satisfaction like you get from making something yourself.
Cheers
Toymeister
Well-known member
Reference the discussion on the costco whalen units v. sams club/lowes of similar design. I have both the Sam's club has thinner particle board and single wall vertical supports (so you can see the shelf mounting holes) HOWEVER the sams club units include one more shelf and are 1' taller. When the whalen units return to their normal price they are priced the same as Sams club.
I don't like Sams club as a retailer but if you have a taller garage the Sams club units do offer more storage. The Whalen units from costco are just the ticket for a 8' wall and look much neater
I don't like Sams club as a retailer but if you have a taller garage the Sams club units do offer more storage. The Whalen units from costco are just the ticket for a 8' wall and look much neater
Just ordered two of these:
http://www.homedepot.ca/product/industrial-strength-welded-storage-rack-with-wire-deck/925733
(I live in Canada)
They're on as a "special buy" right now. Not sure if Costco is stocking the same units, but by spending more than $299 I got free shipping so took the plunge.
http://www.homedepot.ca/product/industrial-strength-welded-storage-rack-with-wire-deck/925733
(I live in Canada)
They're on as a "special buy" right now. Not sure if Costco is stocking the same units, but by spending more than $299 I got free shipping so took the plunge.
Burgerkong
Well-known member
Yep, I believe so. Costco ditched the Whalen and Snap-On racks for the Edsal.
Love my Edsal racks. Every one I own was a damaged kit box with a broken shelf bought on clearance at Lowes back when they only carried kits. My local Lowes now carries mix-N-match Edsal shelving components. Apparently not all stores carry them this way, but it sure is handy if you can find one that does. That way you can pick rack width and shelf length from the different pieces they offer.
Relax
Well-known member
I got the same Edsal rack as above from Home Depot. Every review I've read has been positive, except for the wire shelving not fitting perfectly. But in my case, it was a tight fit lining up some of the shelf rail tabs to fit the end frames, and needed to hammer them down. Even then, I can only get some of them halfway down the "v" channel while others easily fall into place. Once I got everything as tight as I could, the whole unit seems a little twisted, and it wobbles like I have to put something under one of the feet to keep it stable. Did I get a dud, or does this get better once I load it up with stuff? I probably won't use the full capacity of this thing, but I will easily be loading 1000 lbs per shelf, so I want to be sure it's stable and safe.
dittle fart around
Well-known member
If your in a garage the floors are probably sloped. Check to see if your racks are level. Shimming would work if your racks didn't have leveling feet.
Somebody earlier mentioned used pallet racks. I can attest to the viability of these as we sell tons of used pallet racks daily and in 30+ years have never had an issue with any of them. Just be sure to inspect them before purchase and if they look unsafe, avoid them. Any reputable used rack seller will not sell unsafe racks at any cost.