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Need advice on timber size for floating garage shelving

Looking to make 600mm deep shelves with a pine box frame with mdf board sitting on top, with either metal or pine supports. Will span 3.5m along biggest wall and 2m on other 2 walls making a U-shape at one end of the garage. Biggest wall is plasterboard and the internal frame uprights seem to be about 450mm apart. Will be single shelf sitting about 2m off the ground, 800mm from the roof.

My question is what size and type of pine shall I use for the frame? Have seen both framing pine and dressed pine used before. Aesthetics isn't a concern.

Apologies if this makes no sense. Can't upload photos from laptop.

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Jason

Thanks for joining in the discussion on Workshop @jaronemo. Sounds like a fun project. Let me tag @Poppop who has plenty of experience building custom shelves and might like to kick off the discussion with his recommendations for you.

Feel free to post anytime you need a hand. We are looking forward to seeing your shelving project come to fruition.

Welcome,

Jason

jaronemo

Cheers @Jason and @Poppop

Currently thinking 70x35mm structural pine for the frame, 12mm MDF board on top and supported underneath by metal brackets or just making 45 degree pine ones.

Similar to diagram attached but without the bottom MDF sheet.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/12mm-standard-mdf-600mm-x-900mm_p0590036

https://www.bunnings.com.au/carinya-600-x-300-x-40mm-heavy-duty-galvanised-twisted-stay-bracket_p3960868

https://www.bunnings.com.au/70-x-35mm-mgp10-ut-pine-timber-framing-3-6m_p8030014

MitchellM

@jaronemo Sounds like great project, I'll wait for @Poppop to jump in regards the custom shelves.

Just thought I'd mention though, once you price the timber, compare it to what you would pay for freestanding prefab shelving units.

You may find the pricing fairly similar (after factoring in timber,fixings,brackets etc), obviously less sizing options available, but you may get lucky and find something that fits perfectly.

storage garage

jaronemo

Cheers @MitchellM but the reason for the floating shelving is because it’s a single car garage and with push bikes surrounding the car the tools need to go above it all. We’ve got too many bikes obviously!

MitchellM

@jaronemo Sorry, re-reading your post I must have skimmed over "Will be single shelf sitting about 2m off the ground" , had presumed you were doing full height shelving, hence my suggestion.

Poppop

Hi @jaronemo . I use the 70x35mm non structural pine from Bunnings for anything i make that needs a frame. They're a bit cheaper than structural pine and plenty strong enough for a shelf.

jaronemo

Thanks heaps @Poppop. I'll post my photo results this weekend.

jaronemo

So we built the shelf in a day (a very long one due to too many tools getting lost in a messy worksite and a change of plans at the start).

Used 70x35mm structural pine with 600mm (590 actual) metal brackets and 16mm MDF. 75mm bungle screws when wood-to-wood, 50mm otherwise.

Only issue was when attaching to the brick wall. AnkaScrew's tore the brick to pieces. Went back and got 10x80mm RamPlug's and no issue attaching the wood rear baton.. Used Universal Anchor's (8x50mm) for the metal brackets into brick and seemed to be OK but brackets not as confidence inspiring as the plaster walls. Will put the light weight things on that side.

Photos are with junk moved back in ready to put on top.

jaronemo

Here’s some shots of the mid-way.

Things I learned:

- when you buy timber you can get a complimentary trailer for 2hrs

- don’t then load that trailer with the wood leaning out the back. Having it pull up on the tow ball is not a fun driving experience.

Jason

Great result @jaronemo, congrats. Many thanks for coming back and sharing the photos.

Jason

Poppop

Looks good @jaronemo. It's a good feeling to look back at a successful job knowing the labour costs are still in your pocket, isn't it?

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