Materials Storage Racks

[PaulT]

I'm getting close to finishing my 28x40 barn (Pictures at Monitor Style Barn Thread), and it seems I overestimated some of the materials, like 2x6 and rough cut required for the build. At the start, my property had large piles of materials under tarps at various spots. As I built, the piles got smaller, and I moved the materials inside the barn for convenience and dry storage. (Those tarps don't seem to stay waterproof very long /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif) At this point, I have quite a pile of lumber, ranging from smaller useful scraps, all the way to 16' 2 bys of varying widths, and sheet goods, like 4x4 3/4 inch plywood, etc. Also, there are some pieces of 39" roofing material, and I have misc. metal pieces I have collected for welding projects

Does anyone have any suggestions about building a materials storage rack for this lumber and metal? I think a separate metal materials storage design would be important, since it is generally smaller and heavier than wood (probably means it should be stored closer to the ground to save on lifting). Any thoughts, or more importantly, any pictures /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[GerardC]

I store a lot of left overs under my front porch. When I build a storage unit, I'll build racks like this. Gerard

 

[v8dave]

Gerard, I've stored aluminum tubing on wood racks like you show. It didn't work out very good. Over time the weight of material forced the wood arms down regardless of the quantity of bolts I placed at the tie points. The wood just slowly gives way over time (several years in this case). The only way I was able to use wood, was to place a brace below the support arm, i.e., make a rigid triangle to support the weight. Of course this interfered with the storage arm below it and reduced the lower unit's capacity.

I decided if I ever did that again I'd fabricate the support arm and wall attachment out of steel weld 'em together and cover the arms with some non-metallic covering.

I haven't make any more though. I took the easy way out and bought some commercial key rack with particle board shelves. Besides the aluminum tubing and wood planks I can also store car transmissions on these shelves. The attached photo shows the racks, the transmissions are on the bottom shelf hidden by the tractor.

 

[v8dave]

Here is a better view of the construction of the rack.

 

[GerardC]

Point taken.
But, if you put 2 bolts diagonal or 3 triangular and maybe some steel plate plus use double braces (one on either side of stud) I would think it would hold plenty of weight. Also, the angled support underneath would be beneficial too (if needed). Gerard

 

[PineRidge]

Dave we use the same type of shelfing in our barn. It spans 10' high X 22' long and we bolted it to the wall. It will hold some heavy materials without complaint and saves us a lot of otherwise wasted floor space.

 

[ns_in_tex]

Hi Paul,

I took 2x4's and drilled holes 6" apart, on the 3-1/2" side, just large enough for a 1/2" pipe to slip in.

I then mounted 3 of these 2x4's, flat against one end of the shop wall, about 2', 4' and 7' off the floor (be sure all holes line up vertically). Cut a lot of 1/2" pipe, whatever length works best for what you are storing and stick one end in the holes.

You can then store everything standing up on its end and have access to a lot, and take up little floor space.

I store plywood, pipe, conduit, angle iron, flat bar, lumber ETC this way. If you can, choose a tall wall to do this on, because you will want to store something taller than will fit. I either have to cut 20' stock in half to store, or take it outside to a flat rack.

To make the holes for the pipe, I took a 1" butterfly bit and ground it down in width, drill a test hole, grind a little more, etc, until I had the perfect fit, so the pipes would not lean, but yet were easy enough to change by hand, as needed.

I also put chain link fence on the floor under the wood storage area, to keep air space under the lumber to keep it dry and cut down on termite problems.

 

[cj7]

Paul

I know we all like to build lots of things. But a quick and good system for you may be what I did. I have a local guy that seald in new and used pallet racking. I got a nice deal on some used pieces. I can not remember exactly what I paid but is was much cheeper than building my own.

I store my jeep parts and metal stock on them.

Oh and if I need to I can adjust them up and down to change shelving height. Or I can move them around the shop.

 

[rambler]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Point taken.
But, if you put 2 bolts diagonal or 3 triangular and maybe some steel plate plus use double braces (one on either side of stud) I would think it would hold plenty of weight. Also, the angled support underneath would be beneficial too (if needed). Gerard )</font>

We did that on the shop wall. Made it sturdy enough to not come off the wall.

Then the 2x wall bowed out from too much weight on the studding.....

Be careful how you do this.

A free standing rack is better.

--->Paul

 

[GerardC]

Good point. Over time, bow city. TBN'ers think from all different angles. Always good input to the pros/cons. Thanks. G