Garage Shelves

[TX63CONV]

I plan to build 4 shelves in a little alcove I have in my garage to store mostly boxes of light items. The dimensions will be 52.5” wide x 24” deep. The shelves will have support on three sides screwed into the wall studs. I plan to use ½ inch plywood for the shelves but was wondering what I should use for the side supports—1x3? Also, I was planning on adding a trim strip across the front of the shelves but with that span (52.5”), do I need to have support in the front as well?

TIA

 

[akdiesel]

2x4's will be the easiest and stronger for your support. A 1x3 in a 4' span will sag. You can also place a second joist in the middle for extra support.
I will add that you could use metal support with the plywood for the platform. The metal will be lower profile, stronger, and easier to install. By this I am suggesting Unistrut/Superstrut. You can get it at lowes or home depot. Use the 1 5/8" channel that has the slots. Cut to size and use the slots for the screws and washers to attach to the wall.
One would think I sold this stuff but I am simply a big fan of it.

 

[kbs2244]

2x4 or 2x3 on the walls.
The extra width will provide a lot more support.

I like the idea of a support of some kind along the front edge.
You always end up over loading the shelves from what you thought.

I like to use the angle iron from curbside bed frames.
It is free, and makes me feel good to be doing some recycling that I can see the result of.

 

[Zick]

2x4's will be the easiest and stronger for your support. A 1x3 in a 4' span will sag.

I agree and disagree.
I believe 1x3's would be fine as long as you anchor them to each stud or at least every other, assuming you have either 16" or 24" OC stud spacing.
4' would definitely sag.

 

[regguy1]

I plan to build 4 shelves in a little alcove I have in my garage to store mostly boxes of light items. The dimensions will be 52.5” wide x 24” deep. The shelves will have support on three sides screwed into the wall studs. I plan to use ½ inch plywood for the shelves but was wondering what I should use for the side supports—1x3? Also, I was planning on adding a trim strip across the front of the shelves but with that span (52.5”), do I need to have support in the front as well?

TIA

How about this idea?
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65557

More videos and photos: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=140674

 

[gabedad]

Good shelving instructions here

http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/workshop/index.htm

 

[TX63CONV]

I like those shelves and was going to consider something like that for shelves over my garage door....instead, I just raised the track on my garage door to be flush with my ceiling to allow a future lift.

So multiple solutions here and multiple arguments. Easier for me to work in wood than cut bedframes but I like that idea...

The angle iron would be great if I had a shorter span....how do i solve the front support?

Regardless of 1x3 or 2x4, everyone seems to agree that I need support in the front? Seems like I just build a box (either 1x or 2x) the dimension of the alcove, and screw it in on all three sides. 2x would be like a rock and probably not much more $.

 

[Joe Reed]

Seems like I just build a box (either 1x or 2x) the dimension of the alcove, and screw it in on all three sides. 2x would be like a rock and probably not much more $.

That's probably the easiest, cheapest and sturdiest approach. If you feel you need a center support, could you attach a vertical support to the front of your shelves up to the ceiling - attached there to a joist?

 

[akdiesel]

I agree and disagree.
I believe 1x3's would be fine as long as you anchor them to each stud or at least every other, assuming you have either 16" or 24" OC stud spacing.
4' would definitely sag.

Sorry for the confusion. 1x3 are fine if secured every 16" on a wall but for the open front span you will need at least a 2x4.
And to make things simple use the 2x4 for all the supports.
There is only one good reason to use mismatched wood and that is abstract art.

 

[TX63CONV]

That's probably the easiest, cheapest and sturdiest approach. If you feel you need a center support, could you attach a vertical support to the front of your shelves up to the ceiling - attached there to a joist?

possibly....my joists run in the same direction as the width (53" side) of the shelves though so it would look goofy.

 

[Zick]

Sorry for the confusion. 1x3 are fine if secured every 16" on a wall but for the open front span you will need at least a 2x4.
And to make things simple use the 2x4 for all the supports.
There is only one good reason to use mismatched wood and that is abstract art.

True, I wasn't thinking about the front open span board. I would definitely go 2x4 all around in this case.

 

[DIYKiah]

The company I work for makes garage shelving kits if you wanna check them out