Woodworking Archive

Lumber Rack

This lumber rack is a space-saving storage system that protects yet provides access to long boards, cutoffs, and plywood. You can also add a convenient bin for sheet goods.

hen it comes to lumber, I'm like a squirrel storing nuts for the winter. Whether it's a long board, a short cutoff, or a piece of hardwood plywood that's too valuable to throw away, it's all saved for a project I'm going to build "someday."

Needless to say, storage has been a problem. In the past I've always had a stack of wood on the floor, and had to sort through it to find the right board. Not to mention bracing sheets of plywood against my leg while trying to pull out a piece from behind.

To get my lumber and plywood off the floor, I built a simple rack. It provides plenty of storage, but the best thing about it is it organizes and pro vides easy access to all the pieces I need.

pipes. The key is a number of sturdy metal pipes that are supported by a wood frame (see Exploded View). A series of holes allows you to move the pipes up or down so you can customize the rack to fit your needs.

I laid long boards across the top row of pipes. And to keep short pieces from falling through, they're stored on shelves on the other two rows of pipes. To create even more storage, I ran stretch cords across the bottom compartments (refer to page 104).

optional bin. You can also add an optional swing-out bin (see page 105). Resting on casters, it's designed to hold large sheets of plywood and other kinds of sheet goods on edge. This way, you can sort through the pieces and select the piece you need.

materials. I used standard construction grade Douglas fir for the frame of the lumber rack. For the bin, shelves, stretchers, and kickplate, I used W fir plywood. Finally, the edging strips were cut from 1x6 pine.

OVERALL DIMENSIONS: Custom Height x 951/2L x 171/2D

#8 x 3" Fh WOODSCREW

END STRIP

SHELF

BOTTOM PLATE

V2" BLACK IRON PIPE

KICKPLATE

UPRIGHT

MATERIALS LIST

NOTE:

SEE PAGE 105 FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON BUILDING THE SWING-OUT BIN FOR SHEET GOODS

FRONT STRIP

MATERIALS LIST

wood

A Uprights (4) 11/2 x 3 V2 - custom Igth. B Top/Btm. Plate (2) 1 V2 x 31/2 - 94V2

hardware supplies

(68) No. 8 x 11/4" Fh woodscrews (8) No. 8 x 1 V2" Fh woodscrews (16) No. 8x3" Fh woodscrews (12) 1/2" black pipe - 153/4" long (4) % x 3" lag screws (3) 3/8" x 24" stretch cords (6) Screw eyes - size 110

EXPLODED VIEW

OVERALL DIMENSIONS: Custom Height x 951/2L x 171/2D

#8 x 3" Fh WOODSCREW

UPRIGHT

BOTTOM PLATE

NOTE:

SEE PAGE 105 FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON BUILDING THE SWING-OUT BIN FOR SHEET GOODS

V2" BLACK IRON PIPE

FRONT STRIP

KICKPLATE

END STRIP

SHELF

CUTTING DIAGRAM

2x4 (11/2 x 3V2) - 8 Ft. (5.3 Bd. Ft. EACH) (TWO PIECES)_

The "backbone" of the lumber storage rack is a 2x4 stud wall that supports the pipes. You can build a separate frame for this wall. Or, you can drill holes for the pipes in an existing stud wall (see box below). (This is not recommended for a bearing wall unless you add an additional 2x4 to each stud.)

frame. The basic frame consists of four uprights (A) that are held together by a top and bottom plate (B) (Fig. I). I cut these pieces from standard 2x4s.

Before determining the length of the uprights, you'll need to decide the location of the lumber rack. Then measure the shortest distance between the floor and the joists (or ceiling) and subtract 2 Va". This allows W forlevelers (added later) and 2" for the tongues on the top and bottom plates (Fig. 2a).

Now the top and bottom plates can be cut to final length. (I cut mine 94 W long, but it will depend on your space.)