High shelves

[Innovate1]

I have 14' ceiling in my 30 x 40 and sectioned off 1/4 of it with full height walls for a separate room with a big double door between. I have most of the equipment against walls - I suppose I should rethink that as I may be able to put some more in the middle and make better use of the floor space but my current thoughts are about high shelves. I am getting a couple of narrow pallet rack type shelving. Both 8' wide. One 12 ft high and 2' deep. The other 8' wide and 30 inches deep. A lot of what we are working with is light and not too big so thinking some more higher shelves would be good. Getting heavy stuff up high is difficult enough high shelves are pretty useless for that unless you have a fork lift or similar but light stuff could be handled from a ladder. Have an 8' step ladder and small extension ladder. So thinking plywood or osb shelves at 8', 10' and maybe 12'. 24" or 32" deep (have some 4 post shelves that are 32" made from 2 x 4s that I am thinking of reusing although 24" seems a bit more practical. Dont really want posts down to the floor so thinking of 45 devree 2 x 4 every 4' over a stud back to the wall below. A 2 x 4 or 2 x 3 along the wall and the frong edge. Seems like that would be sturdy enough and the braces would be above about 6' for the lowest one which seems like it would be out of the way for most stuff (except where I have some 4 x 8 sheets of plywood on end against the wall but I could skip shelves there or just do higher.

For anyone that's done something like this how has it worked for you? What would you do differently?

 

[infinkc]

I was thinking of adding some shelves in my high ceiling, i already have narrow pallet racking in most of it, but parts where i dont want posts i was thinking of using these shelves. https://www.costco.com/saferacks-wa...elves,-four-deck-hooks.product.100312375.html

 

[nadogail]

When you have to put that heavy thing on a high shelf, you may want to rethink your design.

 

[kbs2244]

 

[Innovate1]

When you have to put that heavy thing on a high shelf, you may want to rethink your design.

Not wanting to put heavy stuff up there. Just light stuff. Still above 10 ft it gets harder. Up to that with an 8 ft step ladder is pretty easy.

 

[duneslider]

I have one of those bakers racks, rolling scaffolding stuff and it is super helpful for accessing my taller shelves, although my ceiling is only a little over 11' but I can set things on the rack then climb on the rack and slide it onto the shelves just fine. Most stuff I have up high I only access like once a year (christmas decor, or stuff like that). I have been trying to dejunk and get rid of things that I haven't used in a couple years that I likely won't use in the near future.

 

[Innovate1]

I have one of those bakers racks, rolling scaffolding stuff and it is super helpful for accessing my taller shelves, although my ceiling is only a little over 11' but I can set things on the rack then climb on the rack and slide it onto the shelves just fine. Most stuff I have up high I only access like once a year (christmas decor, or stuff like that). I have been trying to dejunk and get rid of things that I haven't used in a couple years that I likely won't use in the near future.

That's a good idea! I have a double high bakers scaffold that was very handy during construction but now may get used mostly for a storage shelf I have a railing on the top. Maybe lower the top shelf just a little so I can access the shelves over the railing.

 

[starquestMM]

I had a single Slope roof shed that had shelves up to 14'. It was nice for long term seldom used stuff.

Id go 12" deep 12" spacing on shelves because you be on a ladder and its not as convenient to dig/sort through stacked stuff. I did have some 24" deep 12" spacing section I used for half shafts, control arms, ect that were still light evoungh to haul up

 

[Steve in UT]

These things are awesome, I have all my walls covered with them. The 20" works great for a 24" shelf (half sheet of particle board.) The 13" for a 1/3 sheet (16".)

https://www.menards.com/main/storage-organization/garage-outdoor-storage/wall-storage/john-sterling-trade-fast-mount-reg-galvanized-supported-bracket/bk-0103-22/p-1444436974692.htm

https://www.menards.com/main/storage-organization/garage-outdoor-storage/wall-storage/john-sterling-trade-fast-mount-reg-galvanized-wall-standard/bk-0100-6/p-1444436982500.htm

 

[Steve in UT]

Also, I don't know how I lived without this wonderful creature! I can lift 10' in my 12' ceilings.

 

[Innovate1]

These things are awesome, I have all my walls covered with them. The 20" works great for a 24" shelf (half sheet of particle board.) The 13" for a 1/3 sheet (16".)

https://www.menards.com/main/storage-organization/garage-outdoor-storage/wall-storage/john-sterling-trade-fast-mount-reg-galvanized-supported-bracket/bk-0103-22/p-1444436974692.htm

https://www.menards.com/main/storage-organization/garage-outdoor-storage/wall-storage/john-sterling-trade-fast-mount-reg-galvanized-wall-standard/bk-0100-6/p-1444436982500.htm

Thanks. I have been thinking of looking up sturdy track shelving like that and just hadn't gotten to it.

I was thinking 24" or maybe 32" (have some OSB already cut to 32) but on the high ones 16 or 24 seems like enough.

 

[u2slow]

2' deep worked well for me; at 8, 10, and 12'. 2x4s and plywood.

I built them as pre-fabbed 8 and 12' long platforms. Screwed one edge to the wall (on studs) and a post on the front edge (and blocking between ).

I use a ladder for access because there isn't room for baker scaffolding in my shop when there's vehicles.

 

[jmarkwolf]

That's a good idea! I have a double high bakers scaffold that was very handy during construction but now may get used mostly for a storage shelf I have a railing on the top. Maybe lower the top shelf just a little so I can access the shelves over the railing.

I've got the same thing.

Originally, I used the HF scaffolding unit as a welding booth, ringing it with a conduit hoop from which I hung HF welding curtains. Now that I don't weld anymore, I use it for a 3-level shelving unit. The main shelf is for my sliding miter saw, and two wire-mesh additional shelves from Metaltech (fit perfect) purchased at Home Depot. Not as sturdy as pallet racks, but not as expensive either! Need more space? Stack 'em.

It's still a scaffold if I need one, and it's on pretty nice 5in wheels so I can wheel it around my shop if need be.

Got a lot of stuff off my shop floor. Might buy a second set.

 

[Zeke]

I have high shelves on 3 sides of the garage. What I find is most helpful is to box it in tubs (or cardboard) and label it so I can see what's what from the ground. Everything from luggage to extra TV and stereo stuff goes up there, along with ropes and slings, extra brackets and anything light enough to carry up a ladder. Having the container sturdy and secure is important.