lumber rack

Pretty cool design! Do you have any idea how much weight a single shelf can support?

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

I built a similar rack many years ago, when lumber was cheaper. Use 3 2X4’s for each uprite, cut and spaced the center 2X4 just as you did. Mine goes from floor to ceiling, in the basement. Tied each uprite into an overhead floor joist and spaced six uprites to match every joist. You can see it is pretty well loaded up, if you check the pictures of my workshop.

Lew

Very timely post. I spent all weekend cleaning and organizing my shop. I kept telling myself, you have to build a lumber rack. Thanks for the inspiration.

-- Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember it didn't work for the rabbit.

nice. I’m thinking of putting some kind of wood storage in my shop too. i wish i had enough room for a great system like that. great job. it looks great too.

Very well done. I did this as well based on the same Wood article. Like you, I changed dimensions to suit my space. Very happy with it as I’m sure you will be. Again, well done.

-- Jeff, South Carolina

Thanks for the compliments guys.

GaryK, I can put my full wiegth (170lbs.) on the ends of the two arms. The two sets of supports on each side are 16” apart. There is 32” between the two sets of supports. I would figure across the entire length, it should hold at least 300 lbs, probably more. I am supposed to get a good size load of lumber soon, so when I put more on it, I will let you know if there are any issues.

Great project! Special thanks for including the details.

I agree with trifern, I have been looking around for a good lumber rack design and need to act on one soon. This will be a great solution.

-- Scott

Looks pretty good and adjustable too! It should hold plenty of weight… as far as i can tel from your pics.

-- --Chuck

Well done and sturdy is good.

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/

Like Trifern this is very timely.. I too have just started a complete clean up of the shop and need a place to store wood. This looks just what the Dr. ordered. Great pictures of your rack, that will help me with my decidtion… Thanks for the post..

-- Brian's Table Top Toys http://home.mountaincable.net/~bgraham/

Awesome, very timely, and thanks for the PM directing me to your post. Much appreciated. Simple but great looking rack.

Will definately be building one soon

-- Keep your tools sharp, your mind sharper and the coffee hot

I like it very much and am looking for options for the area above my chopsaw wall. Thanks

-- Hope Never fails

A strong and useful storage for lumber.
Sharad

-- patanjali

This looks like the perfect rack for me – I even have spare 1/2” plywood lying around!

Can I ask a couple questions?

+ Are the arms cut or notched at all besides the 5-deg angle on the back, or are they just straight 2×4?
+ Is the plywood just screwed to the 2×4 blocks?
+ How long are the “arms”? Is there a limit to how long they should be?
+ It’s interesting that you spaced 2 at 16”, left a 32” gap, then put another 2 at 16”... Is that recommended, or you just chose that yourself?

-- -- Kevin in Mentor, Ohio

1. the arms are not notched, but they are ripped to 2-3/4”, then the top were rounded over slightly.

2. yes, the plywood is just glued and screwed to the 2×4s

3. the plans call for the arms to be 14”, I made mine 16” (I think), as far as how long, I am not sure, I would say to keep them between 14” to 18”, I would say 18” would be the max I would go with

4.honesty, I don’t recall, I do know the plans have theirs 24” on center, but the studs in the wall were 16” on center where I put my rack. I just didn’t see a need for the one in the center. I can put 8’-10’ boards on top or bottom, and I can still put shorter boards on it as well.

If you would like any additional info, just ask.

I looked for the plan on Wood Magazine’s site and can’t find it. Was it only available in print? I’m sure I could figure it out myself, but I’d love to have the plan. Thanks and great work!