How do you store scrap wood?

[bjaspud]

Does anyone have any photos of a good way to store scraps of wood? I'm talking miscellaneous partial pieces of 4 x 8 sheets. Random lengths of 2 x 4 or 2 x 2's etc.

Thanks,
Spud

 

[ScaldedDog]

Subscribed. I've got pieces all over the place, and need a better idea.

Mark

 

[bchee]

Search for "material cart" or "material handling"

Here's a place that specializes in this kind of stuff
http://www.globalindustrial.com/

You could probably easily make one cheap out of scrap wood, that's what I plan to do.

I know I definitely want it on casters cuz I don't want it permanently taking up valuable floor space.

 

[jay50]

store it on the brush pile, with a lighted match underneath

 

[LEVE]

I have a 3 car garage with two doors. The Entry door is on the front corner of one side wall. I took a 2X2 and screwed it to the garage door rail. Then I did the same to the wall of the garage at the same height. I did the same between the two garage door rails in the middle of the garage, as well as the 2nd door and the other wall.

Then I used scrap T-111 siding and plywood from the forms to lay a floor across these 2X2's.

Now I've got three shelves.

One, over the access door is where I store my scrap long lumber like 2X4's of varied lengths.

I am planning on a 4X8 lowerable hinged platform above one side of the double door that will hold 4X8 sheets of plywood and large flat scrap. I just finished mounting a lowerable carriage for storing a kid's wading pool against the ceiling over the other side for the door that works slickern' snot.

The middle shelf between the two garage doors stores lengths of pipe and spare/scrap gutters. Under this shelf I store my 8' extension ladder, it's easily accessed and tucked up out of the way when not in use.

On the other shelf I simply store boxes.

Everything's tucked up out of the way nice and neatly.

 

[Boiler]

store it on the brush pile, with a lighted match underneath

x2

If it is a few feet long or more, rack em, everything else, burn it.

 

[babzog]

Here's one idea.

I had a link to a plan somewhere (can't find it now) for a cantivered rack design. I was going to mod it a bit to storge sheet good as well as lengths plus put it on casters to move it around as requied.

 

[onewaydave]

I just chunck it in a corner. If it doesn't get used by cold weather, it is used to start the wood heater. ie kindling.

Dave, just not that organized.

 

[Red Green]

I have a van in the backyard with anything over about 2 foot long piled in it. Anything shorter get placed in the crate of kindling near the wood burner for the winter.

 

[Licensed to kill]

I have a van in the backyard with anything over about 2 foot long piled in it. Anything shorter get placed in the crate of kindling near the wood burner for the winter.

So THAT's what you use the 'possum van' for!.

 

[caper150]

 

[Falcon67]

Piled up against one wall. I hate to throw much of anything out.

 

[dkroth]

Dog Nabbit, Caper, you beat me to the punch!

 

[Art From De Leon]

The few pieces of scrap wood I keep around are a couple of 2 X4s, a 2X8, and some replacement deck boards, I just lean up against the wall. The only plywood I have is the disassembled 'kitten cage' that I built to keep them in, until I got rid of them.

But I have a 42'X48' machine shed to keep this stuff in.

 

[Kev442]

The junk S10's cab got a new job in life when the building got cleared out for concrete. It's still out there, as I cannot bring myself to clutter up my space with it.

 

[Scout Driver]

The pieces of plywood are stood on edge along a wall of a lean-to. The biggest pieces are closest to the wall. Smallest are out front. Small pieces of scrap wood get tossed in a box next to the stack of blocks in the shop. The smaller pieces are sometimes handy when shimming or blocking up a project.

Scott

 

[Vinko]

Here's one idea.

I had a link to a plan somewhere (can't find it now) for a cantivered rack design. I was going to mod it a bit to storge sheet good as well as lengths plus put it on casters to move it around as requied.

I like that idea much better than mine. I made something similar without the outside pockets to hold scrap. I put 4 steel casters on it: (2") from McMaster for less than $5-$7 each (Faultless, Made in USA) that I've been using for lots of little things, and they roll really good on concrete.

 

[ChargerSarge]

Sorry I have no pics...but I am an avid woodworker and store alot of materials. I'll try to describe it...to get a mental picture do a google search for Triton racks and think the same thing made out of wood.

In a corner of my garage, I hung two 2x4s, one from each side of 4 consecutive rafters, so they run down the wall, but not all the way to the floor. I bolted them in place by sandwiching the rafter between them. The edges of the 2x4 should face the wall and outward. This created a space between that I used to make "steps" like a ladder. I put a 20" piece of 2x4 between each set of two down pieces and sandwiched the end of the 2x4, and again attached with bolts. It should look like an "L" or "T" as you want the 20" piece to run perpindicular to the vertical pieces. I angled mine back slightly so things would slide backwards to the wall. Do this at different heights on a level line across the four sets of down pieces so you have shelves all the way across.

The concept: I store sheet goods on the bottom shelf, and the bottom of my next shelf up is about 50" above the bottom shelf, which allows for sheet goods. On my two upper sheves (spacing is up to you), I store my boards laid flat. The best part is since the weight of the shelves is supported by the top jamb of your wall, you have no issues with attaching the thing to the wall and it hangs a few inches off the floor, keeping it free of moisture and you can sweep under it! Sorry if you don't understand my description. PM me your email address and I can send you a pic if you need.

 

[ChargerSarge]

OK I just googled it myself...do a search for "Triton Wood Rack" and look at the images. My idea looks kind of like the black/orange one.
Hope this helps.

 

[MichaelP]

ChargerSarge,

I'm trying to visualize what you describe, but you didn't mention how the horizontal pieces are locked in the horizontal position to support weight of your lumber. Do you brace them somehow?

Can you please post the particular link you're talking about?
Better yet, if you have a chance, could you please send me photos of your racks?
Just left click on my screen name and follow the menu for e-mail. If you want, I can post your photo(s) in this thread for you.

Thank you.

 

[drmoonshine]

In my backyard with a tarp over it.

 

[ChargerSarge]

MichaelP-

I can post photos or email them to you but I will have to do so tomorrow. I'm on my way out the door for my last 12 hour night shift of the week.

 

[ChargerSarge]

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?c=&p=55089&cat=51&ap=1


Here's the link to the Triton Rack.

 

[aveguy]

I had the same desire this past weekend & ended up building this unit. It is 13" interior width, the 3 lower shelf are 10ft long the upper shelf are 8ft. The space on the end of the ply area will get boxed in and hold short pcs. I tied it to wall just to prevent it from tipping over but the weight is all on the floor, not the wall.

http://i952.photobucket.com/albums/ae3/mar_myphotos/Garage/P1000849.jpg
http://i952.photobucket.com/albums/ae3/mar_myphotos/Garage/P1000850.jpg
http://i952.photobucket.com/albums/ae3/mar_myphotos/Garage/P1000851.jpg

And here is how I store my large extension ladder. It hooks up on one end and uses a boat crank wench to lift the other end. I then use the straps around the girth as a saftey backup just in case the something lets go during long term storage. This sytem works well and is stable. In my 1st attempt I tried to lift all 4 corners directly(vert) but that was just to difficult and unstable. Putting 1 end into the hooks 1st is way more stable and much less weight on the list system.
http://i952.photobucket.com/albums/ae3/mar_myphotos/Garage/P1000843.jpg
http://i952.photobucket.com/albums/ae3/mar_myphotos/Garage/P1000844.jpg
http://i952.photobucket.com/albums/ae3/mar_myphotos/Garage/P1000845.jpg
http://i952.photobucket.com/albums/ae3/mar_myphotos/Garage/P1000846.jpg

 

[1Garageman]

I store my big/long scrap wood above my head, gets it up and out of the way. I took some 2 x 4's and created a hanging shelf that is up and out of the way. I love it. Then for my small scrap wood I keep underneath my miter saw bench I just made, which is still awe full messy.

 

[jwillis]

I store mine overhead in my shop. I also have two garbage cans out behind my garage, covered with plastic full of short pieces of 2X4s, etc. But bchee, I saw a whole bunch of carts that look like those you have shown down at the local Lowes and Home Depot. Hmmmmmmmm.........

 

[MichaelP]

ChargerSarge,

Thank you. I use same type of racks for metal (pipe, angle, etc.). But they're made of metal and have very reliable attachment of the cantilevered weight bearing horizontal members.

When you have a chance, please post or e-mail your pictures. I'd like to see the details of the attachment points at the rafters and, more importanly, at the "shelves". As far as I understood from your description, the vertical members are not attached to the walls at all, so all the weight of the entire construction is applied to the rafters, right? Aren't you afraid that the rafters or the vertical members split under the load?

Anyway, I guess seeing photos will solve possible confusion.

Look forward to seeing your pictures. You got me interested.

 

[shoot summ]

I've seen a home built setup similar to the Triton where they attached 2x4's to the wall(studs) with lag bolts. Had 3/4" holes drilled at a slight angle that 3/4" pipe sections went into projecting horizontally. Under each pipe was a small 2x4 "brace" to help support the weight.

Hope this makes sense....

 

[aveguy]

I have a basic physics question for you guys regarding these cantaliered wall mounted racks. When you hang a shelf/rack system like the triton on a stud wall how much force is being placed on the wall in the horz/rotational/lateral direction? Or is all of the weight/force 100% vert down the studs? In other words are there other non-vert forces which might distort the wall in other ways? My concern is that the weight of the rack and these non-vert forces can with time, bow the vert plane of the wall? Anyone know how to calc the lateral forces?

 

[wbrian63]

I have a basic physics question for you guys regarding these cantaliered wall mounted racks. When you hang a shelf/rack system like the triton on a stud wall how much force is being placed on the wall in the horz/rotational/lateral direction? Or is all of the weight/force 100% vert down the studs? In other words are there other non-vert forces which might distort the wall in other ways? My concern is that the weight of the rack and these non-vert forces can with time, bow the vert plane of the wall? Anyone know how to calc the lateral forces?

The further the weight is from the wall, the more "pulling" force it exherts on the wall structure. However, it's not that simple. With the Triton rack, the vertical element acts to spread the pulling force across a larger span of stud, decreasing the load.

A pulling load like I describe is effectively the same as a point load in the horizontal plane. Think of a 2x4 standing vertically and fixed in position at the top and bottom. The pull load would be equivalent to pushing on the 2x4 at some point along it's length. Wouldn't take too much force to cause the 2x4 to deform, even pressing along the thin edge. Now, the vertical portions of the rack effectively spread that push along a 4' section of that same 2x4. How hard is it going to be to deform the 2x4 if your "point" is 4' long? Add to this the fact that we're not dealing with just 1 2x4, but several that are part of a wall structure that likely has some sort of sheathing on at least one face. The sheathing spreads the load as well, even if it is drywall (sheetrock).

Unless you're wanting to store railroad ties at 3' out from the wall, I wouldn't worry too much.

"In general", what will happen before the wall gets all "bent out of shape" is the individual shelf will tear away at the base.

Here's our yet-to-be-installed wood rack:

The racks are upside down - there are 6. They're made from 2" square tube with a 1/4" wall. Out of each 20' piece, I cut 4 2' sections to act as the shelves. The shelves are spaced every 2 feet, so we'll have shelves at 12', 10', 8' and 6'. I want the shelves high up off the floor so we can store small offcuts, etc. under the lowest shelf. They'll be spaced approximately 2' apart when installed, so with overhang, we should be able to store lumber up to 12' in length with minimal risk of sagging. Once installed, we'll add a piece of 2" angle to the front of each shelf so a ladder can be used to load/retrieve material.

We've got 3 pieces of 2x4x12' that will be installed horizontally on the wall at the floor, 6' and 12'. These will be lag'd into the studs, which are 24" OC. This will allow us to place the uprights wherever we want along the wall, plus adding additional structural stability.

We've got a lot of lumber to go up in the rack, so we will be watching for "pull" on the wall. If it comes to it, we can add legs from the bottom of the last shelf down to the floor at the ends of the rack for additional stability, but I hope it won't come to that.

 

[FlashJim]

I picked up a pair of Triton racks for $70 shipped a couple of years ago. I finally put them up about a month ago.

Jim
Houston

 

[Frannyb]

I have a 3 car garage with two doors. The Entry door is on the front corner of one side wall. I took a 2X2 and screwed it to the garage door rail. Then I did the same to the wall of the garage at the same height. I did the same between the two garage door rails in the middle of the garage, as well as the 2nd door and the other wall.

Then I used scrap T-111 siding and plywood from the forms to lay a floor across these 2X2's.

Now I've got three shelves.

One, over the access door is where I store my scrap long lumber like 2X4's of varied lengths.

I am planning on a 4X8 lowerable hinged platform above one side of the double door that will hold 4X8 sheets of plywood and large flat scrap. I just finished mounting a lowerable carriage for storing a kid's wading pool against the ceiling over the other side for the door that works slickern' snot.

The middle shelf between the two garage doors stores lengths of pipe and spare/scrap gutters. Under this shelf I store my 8' extension ladder, it's easily accessed and tucked up out of the way when not in use.

On the other shelf I simply store boxes.

Everything's tucked up out of the way nice and neatly.

Thanks for the post, I have always wanted to use that dead space in the garage but wouldn't have thought to screw into the railing for the other support. I want to try storing the ladder but I can't see how you did that, can you explain it a little more or send a different angle in a picture? And how did you do the pool on the ceiling, I want to store 3 long tables that we only use every once in a blue moon but can't get rid of, so I wonder if your idea would work for that but everyone thinks I am crazy for trying to do it on the ceiling, so can you explain that idea or send a picture also. Thanks so much.

Fran

 

[zip95864]

I've made this for the longer stuff >4 feet

But plan on making a smaller bin system for pieces under 4 feet. Right now, I'm using 5 gallon buckets for those pieces.

 

[Steevo]

I recently moved, and one thing I learned was that I had wasted a lot of space storing pieces of wood I never used, and then had to haul it all to the local Re-Store to get it out of there when I sold the house. By the way, they don't want pieces less than 3' long, so that stuff got hauled to the dump.
Almost without fail, no piece of plywood in stock is suitable for the project I am working on, and no length of lumber is long enough for what I am doing, so I end up buying more anyway, but now I have wasted valuable time rummaging through all of my stacks/piles/shelves before getting on with it.
My new rule is this:
If it isn't a re-usable part of something I work on regularly
or
it isn't small enough to fit in a bin on a shelf
or
it is too big to put in a small parts bin in a drawer with others like it
Then it is trash.

 

[D rock]

I took a 2x4 and ripped it in to 4 braces, about 4 feet long. Then made triangles out of some scrap plywood I had. Then took some 12 inch 2x4's and put them in between the plywood pieces at about 12 inch intervals and screwed them in w/ 1" screws. Then took some 3 1/2 inch screws and mounted my braces to the wall. I mounted them 4'6" off the gound so I could Store plywood under it. It holds my someday projects...

Kind of like this, the triangle braces are not to scale:

l____
l/
l
l____
l/
l
l____
l/

 

[BD1]

Dog Nabbit, Caper, you beat me to the punch!

Good minds think alike !

 

[DanMasshardt]

Just made a cart for the smaller / medium sized stuff. It is on casters. Made from all materials I recycled with shipping crates.

 

[InsanePyro]

Shove them up in the rafters...lay down some plywood if you really want smaller pieces

 

[sberry]

I got a block rack.

 

[Journaler]

For the 2x's that are between 2' and 8', I put them in a 55 gallon drum with the lid chopped off.

The drum is sitting on casters if I ever need to move the wood around.

The 8' 2x's are stacked under the shed.
The flat sheets are leaning against the far wall, but clamped together to minimize warping.