Lumber Storage Shelving - Specific Support Ideas?

[olds70supreme]

I'm putting up new shelves to store spare lumber. Top shelf is 10' long and stores 10-12' lumber. The bottom shelf is 8' long and stores shorter pieces, cribbing, etc.. Sheet storage goes underneath (already in place). As shown they are lagged to the two walls but have no support on the edge away from the wall. The obvious answer is to drop a 2x4 down to the ground - BUT - I don't have room to slide the sheet goods or the 10' lumber off the end of the shelf, so I would like to keep the front of the shelves clear of supports.

How bad of an idea would it be to install a piece of 3/4 plywood at the end of the 8' shelf to provide support for both shelves? First, push the insulation aside, but the edge up to the exterior wall sheathing, and secure to the stud wall. Then attach to the end of the 2x4 on the 8' shelf. Last, attach the top of the plywood to the bottom of the 10' shelf.

I crudely sketched what I have in mind. Is this a terrible idea, and if so are their alternate ideas that keep the area above the 10' and below the 8' shelf clear of supports?

Thanks.

 

[PCustoms]

Shelf brackets every other stud would hold that up fine. They'd even work on their own

 

[Cardboard Man]

How about just add some metal shelf brackets?

 

[olds70supreme]

Maybe I'm thinking of different metal brackets, but their isn't room under the 8' shelf because of the sheet goods - the triangulating part of the bracket would interfere (?)

 

[NUTTSGT]

Probably the first thing I would do is take the shelves down and screw plywood to the wall studs. This would create more of a "shear" wall and help spread the weight on those shelves across the entire wall and protect the insulation.

Use some decent shelf brackets, they do have a weight rating spec'd on them. Use the proper fasteners, length, diameter and type.

Your plywood idea is fine, I'd add a 2x2 strip to it (reverse L) vertically and screw the 2x2 into the wall. Probably not going to hurt to screw a second 2x2 horizontally under the top shelf to tie it all together.

 

[jar944]

I would suggest a different approach.

 

[Jackfre]

I abandoned the horizontal shelf storage of my lumber and went to a vertical pattern. With Horiz shelving you are always trying to get a t the bottom board, because of course it is the one you need. You are then handling the material in a lift, move, place, repeat, pick, lift, move again, replace, repeat fashion. I built my rack with about a 10* pitch and lined the back with plywood so the material is supported along its length and can stay straight. I added dividers for sectioning off the storage. It won’t tip side to side. I have found it to be much better than the shelves I used previously, but it still depends on my housekeeping…which is the real problem.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I would suggest a different approach.

Is that conduit ? EMT or Rigid ? and what size ?

 

[dogdog]

II hang my top shelves with thread rods to the roof joist.

the bottom shelf I have to extend a leg to support it. so it clears that middle area as a work bench/storage..

 

[Youngandfree]

Just use a chain above the top shelf as an angled support, then down to the bottom shelf.

 

[jar944]

Is that conduit ? EMT or Rigid ? and what size ?

It's 3/4 emt.

 

[budget76]

my garage and woodshop shelves are the same design. I did a 2x4 vertical from the ceiling to keep the floor clear. in your case, it'd go to the end of the longer shelf, then you could do the same from the longer to the short

that being said, i like your plywood idea. BUT it takes away your ability to store things longer than the lower shelf that the vertical support keeps with minimal interference.


i too hate the horizontal lumber storage, but my shop ceiling is a little lower than 8' so I can't go vertical easily

 

[nadogail]

All of the lumber storage pictured in this thread is much cleaner and neater than anything I have. Congratulations to all of you on the fine work.

 

[DeeDubz]

I used this.

 

[olds70supreme]

I followed NUTTSGT's advice regarding the 2x2s, and added two layers of 3/4 ply (one on each side of the 2x2 frame). Lots of glue and screws.

Regarding vertical storage, I definitely would prefer it from a wall space standpoint, but my 8' ceilings don't play nice w/ the 8' and longer lumber.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[rburke65]

Yep....the vertical storage would probably be bett if you had the ceiling height....a better idea I’m thinking.

 

[niget2002]

I bought mine. Probably cheaper than 2x4s currently:

Lumber Storage

Shop Lumber Storage and more woodworking products for sale from Woodcraft! Buy online or find your local Woodcraft store. Free Shipping on select items.

www.woodcraft.com

 

[ArkTinkerer]

Unistrut tied to the studs. RA pieces that are 24" are at Zoro for about $12 each. I figure its a pricing mistake since the shorter ones are more expensive so it may not continue.

 

[GeddyT]

Man, lot of billionaires in this thread. If I had that much lumber, it would be in a vault with armed guards!

 

[Mwaters]

I would suggest a different approach.

I did something similar, only mobile.

 

[Bretny]

I usualy let the lumber yard store any unused lumber...there prety good at it and they give me money back..just saying.

 

[niget2002]

I usualy let the lumber yard store any unused lumber...there prety good at it and they give me money back..just saying.

The place I buy my exotic woods won't take returns and they give a discount for larger orders. If I'm buying 10' of 8/4 maple for a project, I might as well get two and store one.

Plus they're on the other end of town.

 

[jar944]

I usualy let the lumber yard store any unused lumber...there prety good at it and they give me money back..just saying.

I've never seen a hardwood yard take lumber back, unless it's defective (case hardened), and even that's rare.

 

[PCustoms]

I've never seen a hardwood yard take lumber back, unless it's defective (case hardened), and even that's rare.

 

[jar944]

Wood dried too fast. The outside of the board shrinks more than the interior causing a lot internal tension.

When cut it will do all sorts of unpleasant things like bowing cuping and warping.