Thread: What is "racking"?

Hi

Racking means leaning to one side. This can be more common in taller items.

If you imagine a bookcase against a wall and this bookcase is leaning to one side it is racking.

Regards

Peter

Clinto,
imagine you've made a stick figure cube, just 12 sticks nailed together to make a cube. Push on it anywhere and it will go out of square, that's racking. To prevent it you have to build it with stronger or wider joints, cross brace it, reinforce with brackets, replace complete sides with panels, any or all of the above.

Mick

Thankyou Mick
all is now clear
Clint

Racking is that noise you make when you forget to wear a dust mask whilst cutting MDF (followed closely by mesothelioma).

Cheers,

After you build your new bench, you love using it that much you don't have enough racking to hiold the timber you need.
Serious problem indeed, requires a lot of thought to overcome.

Racking can also apply to a vice if the timber is only in one side of the jaws. It can damage your vice or make it difficult to undo the vice because it is twisted. To avoid racking in a vice, place an equal thickness piece on the other side of the vice.

Same meaning as the other replies, but I saw your reference to a workbench and wasn't sure if the reference was to the bench or the vice.

- Wood Borer

sorry to hijack the thread:

thank you silkwood for getting me all paranoid now , i have just spent the last week living in MDF dust ( from table saw and router). the entire garage is covered in dust, imagine my poor lungs:

mental note: invest in a face mask next time.....

Don't worry too much, HSVLS (sorry keep forgetting your surname), a few minor safety habits will keep you safe.

I have set up an MDF workshop protocol.....







cheers,