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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    3

    Default Advice on Cantilever Shelving for a small garage

    Firstly, I am completely new to woodworking of any sort (apart from one semester of woodworking classes in highschool a lifetime ago of which I remember zip!) and access to only the most basic tools:


    So basically, fair warning, dumb questions below

    We have a small single car garage, internal dimensions 2900 x 5100mm x 2450mm. We reverse our hatchback sized car into this garage and so we want to install some storage shelves to get everything up off the ground.

    The plan is to store a few 50L storage tubs on a top shelf which may be loaded up with a fair bit of weight. Then install a second shelf lower down which will not be as deep - this shelf will be for random bits and bobs. The thinking here is that the top shelf can be relatively deep as it will above head height. The second shelf will be shallower so there is still some room to move around the garage even with a car parked in there.

    I want to replicate something similar to the cantilevered shelves shown at http://woodgears.ca/shelves/garage
    A few people have installed shelves based off the above original design like http://woodworkingmansblues.com/2012...orage-shelves/
    The original designer also has a video of the shelf install https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhnVvcLsp-8

    Now the dumb questions...

    The above plans are based on framing sized timber available in America. The sizes used are 2x4's for the main support posts, 4x1's for the two outer cantilever supports and 2x2's for the inner cantilever supports.

    I've had a look through the DAR undressed pine timber available from Bunnings/Masters and the closest equivalent sizes are,
    90mm x 45mm for the 2x4s
    90 x 30mm for the 4x1s
    42mm x 42mm for the 2x2s

    Now ideally the middle cantilever support (the 2x2's equivalent) should be the same width as the 2x4 equivalent. That is, ideally I want 45mm x 45mm...

    First option, is it possible to easily get 45x45mm pieces? They do not seem to be readily available.
    Second option, I assume Bunnings/Masters could cut down a single 90x45 piece in half for me. But by the time you lose a bit of material for the blade thickness, this might end up close enough to 42-43mm width anyway... Or is this the way to go?

    Third option, does it actually matter if the middle support is narrower then the main post support?
    The two exterior supports are only nailed/screwed to the middle support at the cantilevered end, not at the base support end. It would mean the two exterior supports are having to bend 1mm in at the far end but surely this doesn't matter?



    I've attached some plans I've done up using the timber available from bunning



    Attached Images Attached Images
    Attached Files Attached Files

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Caroline Springs, VIC
    Posts
    1,645

    Default

    2x4 = 90x45
    4x1 = 90x19
    2x2 = 45x45 (but I dont know of it being a stock item, 42x42 is common).

    you can use the 90x45 as the vertical uprights.
    the 90x19 as the side pieces of the shelf supports
    and then you are correct, get bunnings to rip some 90x45 in half, it will end up 43.5x45 That way you still have a 45mm thick piece to match up to the 90x45 uprights, it will just be 43.5 high which isnt a huge issue.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    3

    Default

    Ah of course, I'll be left with one side 45mm as original dressed.

    Thanks for that, I'll adjust my plans to suit.

    Bunnings/Masters only have 90 x 18mm but that will do the job.

    Just confirming that pine is suitably strong for this job?

    Also, the wall that these will attach is single brick wall. I know brick walls are primarily only for vertical loads. Is there any concern with installing this sort of setup which would put some lateral load on the walls?

  5. #4
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Albury
    Posts
    3,019

    Default

    Your plans sound good to me. I would be very surprised if the single brick wall will not cope with the loads you propose. The wall should have some engaged brick piers to strengthen it already and it will also be tied to the roof framing so you should be good to go.

    I'm not too sure that one of the big box stores would rip a 90 x 45 for you. If they won't you can do it easily with your circular saw with the guide fitted. Get it up at a good working height and use some of those clamps you have to clamp it to something for stability. You can move the clamping position as you proceed. Make sure the cut doesn't close behind you, if it does stick something in it to hold it open, you don't want the saw to kickback.

    By the way DAR stands for 'dressed all round' so you can't have rough surfaced timber that is DAR.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Colyton, NSW
    Age
    81
    Posts
    374

    Default

    Save yourself the grief and use a steel shelf support system.
    Available at Bunnings in different lengths which you attach to the wall. Then buy the brackets which come in different lengths.

    Quick to install, inexpensive, strong and easily re-configured to your changing needs.
    John

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    3

    Default

    Aldav,

    Thanks for the feedback. I was fairly confident that it would be okay, particularly with the load spread out across four main posts.

    If anyone can recommend a timber yard in Perth that would be good enough to cut them up as I need, I'd definitely use them over the big stores. Otherwise I'll have a go at ripping it myself as you say. I've studied a few videos on circular saw safety and understand everything you're saying there - thanks, I will be careful.

    Sorry I had a typo in my original post, I meant DAR untreated pine. As this is an enclosed garage I don't believe I need treated pine.

    I've come up with two options for spacing between the posts, 460mm on the ends, 600mm spacing for the middle sections. This would only let me fit one 50L storage tub between each post (storage tubs are ~40cm wide).
    Alternatively I can do 160mm spacing on the end, 800mm spacing for the middle sections. This could fit two tubs side by side between each post.
    Is the 800mm span too big? I've attached some Sketchup drawings to make it clear.

    3d - narrow spacing.PNG3d - wide spacing.PNG


    JChappo,
    Damn, when I had a hunt around Bunnings all I could find was the Rack-It range which didn't suit what I wanted and the StorEase range which seemed very expensive for what it acheived. I will definitely have a look at those next time I'm down at Bunnings.
    Though I suspect I will end up sticking with timber shelving because I'm pretty keen to try out building this on my own. It'll be a good starting project to try and tackle more woodworking projects around the house.
    Thanks for the suggestion though.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Colyton, NSW
    Age
    81
    Posts
    374

    Default

    Here is a good online calculator to check your shelf spans.
    John

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