Garage Shelves

I'm going to make some garage shelves. My plan is basically to replicate what this guy did: http://davewirth.blogspot.com/2013/0...-basement.html
only, instead of the "legs" being on the short edge of the shelf, mine will be at the ends of the long edge. The plan is to build all the boxes for the shelves, then attach them all to the legs. Here is a top view:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H...0-no/Shelf.jpg

I am running into a very basic problem though. How the heck do I build this box square? I have a speed square to place everything where I need it to be, but when it comes to drilling my holes, I can't hold everything in place. Should I consider doing it the way the guy in the link did, where he builds ladders first? It seems like it would be easier to square longer boards, as their weight will help keep them in place. This seems like a very first day type of question, and kind of embarrassing to ask, but how is the correct way to do this?

over complicated by design, text me tomorrow 9-4 and i'll get you pics of how to do this easier. I have several at work

comprehension failure, I've built many like you're designing, the link shows overcomplicated shelves.

Attachment 38651
shit i'm tired change 4' to 2'

have depot rip the sheets in half build the boxes by screwing the boards to the shelf then tag the ends of the boxes together and it will be perfectly square.

move your legs inboard slightly so that when you screw them to the boxes you're not going to the ends of the short 2x4's which already have several screws running thru them.

I'll text you tomorrow. You think the link design is more complicated than mine? I was going to just copy the link, but I already cut half the boards for this first shelf and want to be able to figure it out. When I'm done, I think I'll have a total of 6 shelf units, lining both sides of my garage for a total of 14' (length) of shelves on each side.

I always thought that the relatively large surface of the saw blade would keep a cut pretty straight once you got going, but that really isn't the case. I had the great idea to just measure the width of the guard to the blade, and nail a guide to each board I cut. It worked out very well and was worth the extra time on each cut in my opinion.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-S...231_201914.jpg

Kind of difficult to see, but I pre-measured and cut out all the corners of each shelf to prepare for the legs.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p...230_215333.jpg

I set everything on the ground and just attached each "box" to the shelf, then secured the frame to itself. I asked a hand full of people the same question about getting things square, and they all had that same suggestion. It worked pretty well.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-O...231_223547.jpg

Even with pilot holes drilled, I still split this end piece.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_...231_223609.jpg

Increasing the pilot hole size and drilling a counter sink fixed the problem.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4...231_232757.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x...231_232849.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z...231_233435.jpg

Laid the whole thing on the floor to attach the supports. Not quite as easy as each individual shelf, but it worked well enough. Using a template for the screw holes kept things consistent.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-S...101_125600.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g...101_125552.jpg

I discovered a slight design flaw when I went to mock it up in place.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-u...28HDR%2529.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t...28HDR%2529.jpg

Easily remedied
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-N...28HDR%2529.jpg

Mostly final product and what it is replacing. The metal shelf is about as tall as the 4th shelf on my unit. Metal rack has 4 shelves at 11x29 compared to mine with 5 shelves at 16x36.




Over all it wasn't too bad of a project once I got into the rhythm of everything. Not only is the garage floor not level, but the carpet that was there was covering a HUGE crack right in the middle of the shelf. So between the already dubious stability on its own, and the 1/4" height difference in the floor on either side, some shimming and anchoring to the wall is necessary. The shelves are mostly level, except one that I didn't catch until I stood it all up. Finally, I ran out of screws and am about 26 short. [B]I'd like some suggestions for anchoring this to the bricks please.

yeah he notches the shelf around the legs, adds complication for no reason. It lies flat against the wall nice though. I have 4 of the ones you're looking at at work along with a bench that is a full sheet.

edited my post a bit
Attachment 38653
you remember the not 8' studs?

Attachment 38655
line up your now decked boxes on the floor the same way, space them evenly, add your legs, flip, add legs. Done. Also moving the legs inboard helps distribute load better, based on the design and the neatness of the workspace he's got to be an engineer, they can over complicate the easiest of things.

the ones at work have a center cross bar and 6 legs, they can support 200 lbs plus per shelf without issue. we have one loaded with paper boxes full of files and I can still climb it like a ladder

corner clamps.
http://www.harborfreight.com/corner-...ase-38661.html


FWIW: we had planned on wood shelves, then were able to score these gorilla racks off CL,f or an average cost of $15-20 per used. We like the portability and capability to move them around, plus able to take them with us when we move.


http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.48247...82723&pid=15.1

Jim, with that corner clamp, would I put on three, and have the forth corner open for drilling?

Wulf, that is pretty much exactly my idea.

The gorilla shelves are really strong. I know they used to be 60 or 65 for a 4' wide, 7' tall, 18" deep version at sams club. The 7' uprights were 4' and 3' tall, so you could make a long low setup rather than a tall one if you wanted.

I prefer to notch the shelves so that the unit can sit flush against the wall. As above, use the shelf itself as the mechanism to keep everything else square.

If you're not concerned with pretty, I have a steel unit you can have if you have a pickup. I don't have photos, but I can shoot some. It was an old comm. cabinet, tall and roughly same size you're talking about. If you're interested I can provide photos and dimensions, etc. I'd love to see it go away, and it would last until YOU want rid of it.

Thanks Ron, I actually have a huge steal one at my paeents, but I'm going to build these to fit the garage.

I also plan on notching the shelves to be flush with the wall and front legs. That way the footprint can be slightly smaller, but still have full shelf depth.

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Originally Posted by Irving

Thanks Ron, I actually have a huge steal one at my paeents, but I'm going to build these to fit the garage.

I also plan on notching the shelves to be flush with the wall and front legs. That way the footprint can be slightly smaller, but still have full shelf depth.

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If your garage wall is just studs, I'd recommend slapping on something first, like drywall or thin plywood/particle board. Just something to keep stuff from falling off the back of the shelves and pissin' you off! Voice of experience - no tellin' what all's behind my shelves.....

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Originally Posted by rondog

If your garage wall is just studs, I'd recommend slapping on something first, like drywall or thin plywood/particle board. Just something to keep stuff from falling off the back of the shelves and pissin' you off! Voice of experience - no tellin' what all's behind my shelves.....

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Outside of objects falling behind the shelves. The sheet rock or plywood once the wall is insulated keeps it warm. Make sure you allow room for a vehicle doors to open, or get around as needed.

I can also provide you with good ideas for overhead shelves. My garage has a 24" deep shelf all around the walls, 24" from the ceiling, attached to the walls and suspended from the ceiling. Easy to do, and I've got TONS o' shit up there. I also constructed a platform or "loft", and it's loaded too. I've got an entire CJ5 Jeep in my garage all in pieces, and a huge amount of it is all up above. Plus Xmas lights, camping/fishing stuff, half a Harley dresser, and more general crap than anyone needs.

Oh, just my opinion, but they're garage shelves, not bookcases in your library. I sure wouldn't sweat details like making sure they're square or pretty. 2x4's and plywood and screws, crude, quick and tough. Function over form.

You're welcome to come by, I can give you lots of ideas from the stuff I've built.

Wall is brick on one side and pegboard (probably backed by brick) on the other side. Not sure if I have the height for much hanging shelf, but interested in how to do it. I was trying not to post pictures until I was done, so this thread wouldn't be a drawn out like the pantry one. I'll post the before pictures when I get home.

I have to redo my shelving. I did a quick job when we first moved in so I could at least get space and some things settled. Now, I'm just piling stuff and it'd driving me crazy. Home Depot has some really nice heavy duty metal shelving units.

http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...elvingrack.jpg

They look nice, fully adjustable and aren't your typical flimsy shelving system. Downside is they cost like $180 each. OOF. I'll probably just be doing wood again since I don't want to drop $400 on shelves, no matter how nice it is.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rondog

Oh, just my opinion, but they're garage shelves, not bookcases in your library. I sure wouldn't sweat details like making sure they're square or pretty. 2x4's and plywood and screws, crude, quick and tough. Function over form.

You're welcome to come by, I can give you lots of ideas from the stuff I've built.

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Wait till he goes to level them. Or square them up and realizes how out of square the garage is.

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Originally Posted by jim

Wait till he goes to level them. Or square them up and realizes how out of square the garage is.

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Ay-yup yup yup.

Here's some old photos of my garage overheads. The crap on them has changed around many times, some's gone, more's been added, but it kinda shows what I'm talking about. It's a mess, but a constantly changing mess. These photos are about 10 years old.

All my 24" overheads along the walls are built with 2"x2" perforated steel angle, because I had a bunch of it. But they could be made out of pine 2x2's even easier, and be just as strong. And far cheaper.

The "loft". There's more stuff up there now than you can believe, including an entire, intact 1956 CJ5 front axle, with brakes on it. And the entire windshield assembly, fenders, grill, radiator, soft top, 10 jerry cans, half of a Harley dresser, and more. And there's another shelf up there you can't see.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...e/DSCN0115.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...e/DSCN0117.jpg

Shelf over/above the garage door. Use that dead space!

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...e/DSCN0116.jpg

24" L-shaped shelves along 2 walls.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...e/DSCN0120.jpg

All down that wall over the workbench.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...e/DSCN0122.jpg

Along the other wall too.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...e/DSCN0125.jpg

rondog, that looks great--i had just recently seen above the door storage--is that metal framing of the above-the-door storage something i could find at home depot?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by funkymonkey1111

rondog, that looks great--i had just recently seen above the door storage--is that metal framing of the above-the-door storage something i could find at home depot?

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No. Maybe something similar, but not that same stuff. Industrial supply-house stuff. But like I said, you can do it with 2x2's very easy and far, far cheaper. Very simple.

Now, the perforated steel straps they're suspended with, you can get that at HD.

I don't have that much room above my door. But I do have all that room up in the attic, which is currently stuffed full. I want shelves up there as well, but am really NOT looking forward to building stuff in such a tight space.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Irving

I don't have that much room above my door. But I do have all that room up in the attic, which is currently stuffed full. I want shelves up there as well, but am really NOT looking forward to building stuff in such a tight space.

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Watch what you store in an attic space. It gets pretty warm/cold up there and any platform you build should not compromise or crush the insulation. PLUS lots of wiring and many ways to put your foot through a ceiling. They can be a great place with enough headroom, lighting and a fold down access ladder, wish mine was bigger (my attic that is).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jim

Wait till he goes to level them. Or square them up and realizes how out of square the garage is.

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This is a really good point. You don't realize how out of square your house is until you make something slightly more square and realize it doesn't fit like it should because you assumed your walls were square. Point is, I wouldn't worry too much about making the shelves perfectly square. I would just cut all my boards to length, measure and mark where your boards should be, and start screwing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rondog

Ay-yup yup yup.

Here's some old photos of my garage overheads. The crap on them has changed around many times, some's gone, more's been added, but it kinda shows what I'm talking about. It's a mess, but a constantly changing mess. These photos are about 10 years old.

All my 24" overheads along the walls are built with 2"x2" perforated steel angle, because I had a bunch of it. But they could be made out of pine 2x2's even easier, and be just as strong. And far cheaper.

The "loft". There's more stuff up there now than you can believe, including an entire, intact 1956 CJ5 front axle, with brakes on it. And the entire windshield assembly, fenders, grill, radiator, soft top, 10 jerry cans, half of a Harley dresser, and more. And there's another shelf up there you can't see.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...e/DSCN0115.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...e/DSCN0117.jpg

Shelf over/above the garage door. Use that dead space!

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...e/DSCN0116.jpg

24" L-shaped shelves along 2 walls.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...e/DSCN0120.jpg

All down that wall over the workbench.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...e/DSCN0122.jpg

Along the other wall too.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...e/DSCN0125.jpg

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Looks like our 3 car shop. Outside of the gorilla racks, everything is on wheels. All the misc items, is why we have out buildings.

I know my garage floor slopes, and I don't think a lot of other stuff in the house is real square. I'm only concerned about squaring stuff, because the first thing I built this year was a cat tower. Same basic concept for a box filled with sand as the base on each side. Everything was fine until I attached the boxes to the center post. An hour and 1.5" of shims later and the thing can finally stand up and pass for level in the dark.

Here is the garage now:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-n...229_183518.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-b...229_183530.jpg

Step one: Randomly run into a guy with a truck and get him to get rid of the stove. You guys see my work bench? Me either. First two shelves will replace the metal one on the left and the wooden one on the right in this picture. Next will be similarly tall shelves where the water is at the end of the garage. Finally will be long, low shelves in between to fit under the windows.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y...229_193117.jpg

Okay, finished (mostly) one of the shelves. Updated the first post with pictures.

Irving, off topic... but wondering where you get your 2-liter bottle crates. You can PM me if you don't want to reply here.

I was delivering pizza and the company I worked for switched contracts from Coke to Pepsi and the Coke guys never came and picked them up.
Thanks for reminding me, I forgot I wanted to check how those racks fit on that shelf since I plan to build identical shelves for each of those corners.
This is three "crates" on the shortest shelf. Each crate holds eight 2-liter bottles.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u...28HDR%2529.jpg

Bump for asking what to buy to attach to the wall. I plan on going after work and just asking, but if there is a superior product that they might not recommend, I'd like to know. Thanks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Irving

I was delivering pizza and the company I worked for switched contracts from Coke to Pepsi and the Coke guys never came and picked them up.
Thanks for reminding me, I forgot I wanted to check how those racks fit on that shelf since I plan to build identical shelves for each of those corners.
This is three "crates" on the shortest shelf. Each crate holds eight 2-liter bottles.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u...28HDR%2529.jpg

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That one of the new MJ lunch trucks

Looks like you need a garage sale not garage shelves.

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Originally Posted by hghclsswhitetrsh

Looks like you need a garage sale not garage shelves.

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I'll give you first dibs on the bottled water in the 2 liters. The attic is definitely going to be sorted through this spring.

I'm going to change the dimensions of these but use the same concept for food storage in my man room.

Attachment 38757

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Irving

I'll give you first dibs on the bottled water in the 2 liters. The attic is definitely going to be sorted through this spring.

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Nah I want that opened coors light bottle. On a serious note I will be following this thread closely for idears.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Irving

I'll give you first dibs on the bottled water in the 2 liters. The attic is definitely going to be sorted through this spring.

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I would only want the crates. My source for them, "Dried up". HA!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by blacklabel

I'm going to change the dimensions of these but use the same concept for food storage in my man room.

Attachment 38757

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Myself with the studs behind that sheet rock. I would have mounted the back 2x's with lag bolts to the studs / wall and used the back 2'x as an additional . Eithe rway that's whay makes the DIY forum a nice place to bounce ideas off each other.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jim

Myself with the studs behind that sheet rock. I would have mounted the back 2x's with lag bolts to the studs / wall and used the back 2'x as an additional . Eithe rway that's whay makes the DIY forum a nice place to bounce ideas off each other.

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To clarify, that isn't my picture. I thought about mounting them to the studs but don't want to tear up the walls in the finished office that I'm putting them in.

Bought these to secure to the brick wall. They require a masonry bit to drill a pilot hole first.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i...28HDR%2529.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-r...28HDR%2529.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-z...28HDR%2529.jpg


You can see here that I had to "customize" on the left side. I kept running into something that was ruining the screws on the left side. You can see that I tried 5 different holes. Even though the bit would go all the way in, and I made sure the bit was going deeper than the screws, they kept hitting something. I secured that custom 2x4 by slipping it under the top support and putting two screws on the top, and towing two more in on the side.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-x...28HDR%2529.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-l...28HDR%2529.jpg


Next I shimmed underneath both sides. I could climb on it before shimming, but now that the bottom front is supported, it won't put as much stress on the wall anchors.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8...28HDR%2529.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-q...28HDR%2529.jpg


Oh yeah, I leveled out the one shelf I had in there crooked. This shelf has over twice the shelf space of the last one and still fits the space nicely. Very much an upgrade!
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c...28HDR%2529.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-h...28HDR%2529.jpg

Looks good Stu. I am already addicted to this section.

Thanks! For guys looking for ideas, check out this video that popped up on my Youtube.