Tag Archives: Garage Shelves
DIY Heavy Duty Garage Shelf Project (Part 2/2)
I built the garage shelves back in 2008, see Part 1: DIY Extreme Heavy Duty Shelves in Garage. However, I found that the upper space is not fully utilized, so this small project is an extension.
The support is not going to be as heavy duty compared to the lower level since I am not planning to put very heavy stuff there. So, I put a 2×4 hanging from the ceiling with a metal bracket for one of the corners support. The other sides are mounted to the existing wall studs, I think it should be able to take couple hundred pounds. I intended to leave the right hand side open for the stack of tires and also in case we want to install the central vac in the future where the rough-in are located.
DIY Extreme Heavy Duty Shelves in Garage (Part 1/2)
We have a single garage and we need to store a lawn mower, snow blower, 8 winter/summer tires and we need to park the car. With the existing configuration (see picture below), there is no way.
After my friend, Vince did some heavy duty shelves Vince’s Heavy Duty Shelves and Vince’s Heavy Duty Tire Shelf last year, I decided to combine them together and go further, make it even more extreme.
How Heavy Duty is it?
The plan is to use same method of building a floor, so from structural engineering point of view, this shelves will be very heavy duty.
First phrase – Base Structure
First I put a 2×6 and screwed it to the existing stud behind the drywall, then HAMMERED two vertical 2×4 for support. Additional 2×4 horizontal for reinforcement to form the “H” shape. Don’t forget to put the plastic sheet under any wood that has direct contact with the concrete.
Additional T-shape metal brackets were used for reinforcement in the base structure. The first phrase of the shelf was pretty straight forward.
Second phrase – Hanging Shelves
Next, I built a hanging shelf. I used bolts, hanging brackets and mixed hardware to complete the project – well, this is not for the primary load, so it is okay. The plan was to store 2 tires above the lawn mower. I had some wood left, so I added 2 small shelves to store the cans and bottles.
Extra Wood for more shelves
I have some left over wood, so I made several some light duty shelves (see below). BTW, I got 2 new cool tools from Lee Valley, first one is “Hanson pencil” they claimed that “It’s better than carpenter pencils and you can use it without sharpening”. Indeed, see picture below and I could draw a thin straight line without any problem. Well, it worked maybe it’s brand new.. I am not sure if it is getting older.
The 2nd tool is a pull-stroke Japanese hand saw. Well, this tool has nothing to do with this project, since I didn’t use it at all. It is just the tool that is cool to have.
Finally Shelves are done
Lawn mower and snow blower fits perfect under the shelf, and 8 tires are on the top. Project accomplished.
How to put/get the tires?
Tires are very heavy and it’s not easy to lift them up in the air without extra help since I have back pain. However, just one piece of 2×6 as the ramp and does the trick!
Related Projects
One garage with 2 cars that need to switch position? To solve the problem I extended the driveway:
- My Project: Extended driveway DIY project with Interlocking stone
- My Project: Air Compressor Shelf Project
- DIY Heavy Duty Garage Shelf Project (Part 2) Updated in 2012