If you need a shelving unit for your storage area, you can build a custom unit out of wood to suit your needs. Building a shelving unit yourself gives you the ability to choose the type of wood you use, the height of the unit, the width of the unit and the depth of the unit. This total control over the project ensures you get the best shelving unit for your needs. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Measure for the shelving unit. To do this, measure the height of the room and the length of the wall where you want to install the shelving unit. After measuring, determine how high and how long you want the unit. Also, determine how deep you want the shelves to be. This means, how far you want the shelves to protrude from the wall.
2. Cut two pieces of 1-inch thick board to the desired height of the shelving unit with a table saw. These two pieces are your vertical supports. For an example, a decent sized shelving unit could have a 12-inch depth. Therefore, you need to use 1-inch thick by 12-inch wide limber boards. You can choose any wood you like but using a hardwood such as oak will ensure structural integrity.
3. Divide the height of the height of your vertical supports by the spacing you want between shelves. For example, if you choose to make the storage unit 6 feet high and you want your spacing 12 inches apart, you need six shelves. Cut the shelves out of the same lumber you used for the vertical supports. Make the shelves 2 inches shorter than your desired width to ensure you compensate for the thickness of the vertical supports.
4. Place the vertical supports side-by-side so you can see the wide faces of the boards. Measure up from the bottom of the boards with your tape measure to the desired spacing. As an example, if you want 12-inch spaces between each shelf, measure up from the bottom of the vertical supports 12 inches. Scribe a line across both board's faces. Measure up 1 inch and scribe a second line across both faces. The 1-inch gap between lines is the space where you will install the shelves.
5. Drill four evenly spaced holes in-between each scribed 1-inch gaps. Use a 1/4-inch drill bit and hand drill.
6. Place the vertical boards on their sides and then place each shelf between the 1-inch gaps. Drive 1/4-inch diameter by 2-inch long wood screws through the holes in the vertical supports and into the shelves.
7. Stain or paint the shelving unit with your preferred wood stain or interior paint. Allow 24 hours drying time before you use the storage unit.
Tags: vertical supports, shelving unit, shelving unit, 1-inch gaps, 1-inch thick, across both