In another thread ( http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ad.php?t=81993 ), a member requested information about using welded-wire fencing material for construction of cage structures to hold shelves of jars holding small hardware items. Here 'tis:

In the popular woodworking literature, a favoured method of storage for small parts is to use baby-food jars, with their lids attached to the bottom of a shelf. That method is fine for amateurs; this is for the serious pack rat.

I've made two separate systems using modular fencing material, cut and bent into three-dimensional cages. These can be quite robust, similar in fact to the moment-resisting frames of high-rise buildings.

For version A, I folded a back panel outward to form the sides. I made U-shaped shelves, with generous wire extensions beyond the modular cells, to facilitate assembly. Each shelf occupies two modules high; the front wall of each shelf is short enough to allow removal of the jars. The jars themselves are a variety of surplus food containers, such as for olives, spices, grated cheese, and peanut butter. Plastic jars are preferred, because they don't shatter upon impact with the floor. Glass jars are best wrapped with transparent packing tape; the tape doesn't prevent shattering, but the remnants (as well as the contents) aren't scattered. BTW, I tested this concept by dropping a glass jar, wrapped with packing tape, from about 5 feet high.

For version B, I exploited a large collection of same-size jars, with a height consistent with a single module dimension. The back panel is also bent toward the front, but the curved surface provided a better fit for the number of jars. The front panel has "windows" at each end of the shelf, to allow placement and removal. The shelves are shallower than in version B. Again, I left generous wire extensions for assembly, and trimmed them back as needed. Some of the jars have loose slips of paper inside for identification.

For both versions, I bent and punched sheet-metal gussets for attachment to the wall or studs. In an earlier embodiment, I bent the gussets to fit over the top of a door. Also, both versions contain spliced upper and lower sub-assemblies to maximise their extents.

These utilise an American format of about 2" x 4" cells, but almost any format can be made to work. I would only suggest that the shelves be made with transverse wires upward, to enable movement of the jars; this is more important for the windows version (B).

I hope this is enough to encourage you to experiment. If I can clarify anything, please ask.

Joe <2008_11_10/ShelfSys/A77 - B76 (73 absent)