Shop-Built Lumber Storage
& Plywood Rack
This woodworking Lumber Storage Rack stores lumber and plywood. It provides good support for your lumber.
The plywood is stored upright. Nearly any board is easy to find. And it keeps all out of the way until needed.
The Shop-made Lumber storage rack has vertical support brackets and horizontal arms. You cut all parts
from 2x4 boards. The arms attach with half-lap joints. I suggest you space the arms no more than
32" apart. Depending on the height of your ceiling, you could go down to 28".
The spacing shows you where to cut the half-lap joints. You assemble the lumber rack with glue in
the half-lap joint and two wood screws. I used #8 x 1¼" wood screws.
After assembly, secure the Vertical Support Bracket to your floor joists. You could use two #8 x 2½" wood screws. Since my floor joists were running 90-degrees to the Vertical Support Brackets,
I screwed a 2x4 plate to the floor joist. Then you screw the Vertical Support Bracket to the 2x4 plate.
You anchor the bottom of the Vertical Support Bracket with a 2x4 base that goes to the back wall. Then screw 3/4" plywood to the top of the base. This stabilizes the base, and allows
plywood to slide easily in the rear. Also, it allows plywood to remain vertical. This is good storage for plywood, and it takes less room.
Woodworking Lumber Storage Tips
Keep Wood Off the Floor:
This is especially important on concrete floors, such as a basement or garage. Concrete is somewhat
porous. Moisture can "wick" into your lumber and warp or damage your wood.
In addition, this allows good air movement around your lumber. The air movement helps the wood
remain stable.
Allow Wood to Stabilize to Your Shop:
You should allow wood to sit for several weeks in your shop. This allows the wood to stabilize to your
shop environment. Any time wood comes from a lumberyard or home center, it needs to "get use to" your
shop. Do NOT work with the wood right away.
Mark Sizes of Lumber:
You should mark with a pencil the sizes on the end of each piece. I write the useable width and length,
when I put a piece back in storage. Normally, you can gauge the thickness. This makes it easy to find the
board you need for a project.
