Re: Wanted: Advice on Garage Racking

[Mike Faithfull]

I need to put up a lot of garage racking to hold goods which are at

> present in something of a heap in the garage. Looking around at what's > available at B&Q it would cost something like 360 pounds if I used large > 240 x 122cm chipboard (each cut into 3 shelves (or perhaps MDF)) x 6 > sheets plus 3 brackets per shelf (ie 54 brackets) and 3 uprights per > shelf (18 uprights in all) that's easily 360 pounds excluding and paint > and screws (I realise that I'd need to seal the shelves) > > Plan is to have 2 x 3 on left wall, 2 x 3 on back wall and 2 x 3 on > right wall. > > Given that it doesn't have to be pretty, can anyone suggest a cheaper, > more effective solution?

Nearest scrap/reclamation yard & buy some used Dexion or other similar racking system. Worked for me.

[Chris J Dixon]

Try IKEA. Doesn't seem to be in their on-line store, but STEN, which I have used lots, seems to have been re-named GORM in the

2004 catalogue, just out (don't ask me why).

Basic unit is

4 shelves 770 mm x 310 mm with supports 1740 mm high for GBP15 extra shelves GBP3 or 770 mm x 510 mm for GBP25 extra shelves GBP5. Extra supports GBP3 per pair.

Chris

[Bill]

In article , Mike Faithfull writes

At our local auction in Bedford Dexion normally fetches on average £20:00 per bay of about 5 shelves. Unlike a lot of racking from the sheds this stuff is strong!

[The Natural Philosopher]

Go for galvanised.

Don't TOUCH the sheds on this one. These guys make senisbly priced stuff that lasts. Used em for factory stores, and in my garage. The best IMHO.

[Julian Fowler]

This stuff is excellent - we have 8 sets of this in our garage/workshop, of varying heights, used to store everything from paint and plant pots to the use-once-a-year suitcases. Probably cheaper than buying the materials to make your own, go together in next-to-no-time. They definitely need to be fixed to the wall for security (I used 4x4 steel angle irons on mine.

The fact that you can buy all the bits individually is nice - I made up a small workbench using the 770 x 510 shelves as a top (with an added layer of MDF) and lower shelf, short uprights at the front, tall uprights at the back carrying one narrow shelf and a horizontal bar with lots of clips for screwdrivers, etc. Took about an hour to put together :-)

HTH Julian

[Chris]

Look around for shops closing down or find somewhere that sells (removed) second hand shop fittings.

The ones in my shop are very strong and sturdy I will be closing the shop down at the end of october and will be using mine in my workshop they are ideal for that type of use.

Depending on where you are there is a shopfitters in Acrington (Lanc's) who always have always have second hand shelving.

[The Natural Philosopher]

The stiuff I recommeded - Rapid racking - has hammer fitted brackets and substantial cross members and doesn't need this. Its also faster than Dexion to assemble and disaasemble - a blow with a rubber mallet is all it needs.

Until you have seen this stuff you don't realise how crap Ikea and the sheds really are, and how old fashioned Dexion is.

[N. Thornton]

Hi. I asume you mean those little corner braces, 3" triangle things. IME theyre totally inadequate. Proper bracing is the only method I've found that works. Bracing makes the difference between a precarious setup thats bound to come apart and something rock solid.

Regards, NT

[Simon Avery]

Hello David

Seal? I didn't bother, and mine are Ok. As long as it's dry chipboard is fine.

Have a look around in the sheds for the the 3/4" 4' chipboard sections designed for lofts. I found out that in B&Q a few years ago these were far cheaper than buying a 8x4 sheet and cutting it down, and they were the perfect depth for garage shelving.

If you're not averse to tip scrounging, melamine wardrobes and furniture is often chucked out there and a few minutes work with a circular saw can give some goodish shelves.

[geoff]

In message , N. Thornton writes

They work for me. I have several rows of free standing shelves - they haven't come apart yet and they've been in constant use for 5 years

[Andy Hall]

I just received their catalogue today. Clearly this is better than shed junk.

They seem to do several different types of galvanised shelving. Which one did you use?

.andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

[The Natural Philosopher]

I am pretty sure it was waht is now called Rapid 2 Galvanised, with chipboard shelves.

Still fine after 5 years. The Rapid 1 stuff is stiffer along the beams and suitable for heavier loading, but I can climb up the stuff I have (if it doesn't topple over) so I reckon its strong enough.

I see they also do a dexion style system with braces for those who must.

I've used their heavy duty stuff as well in company stores.

None of it has ever broken or bent. It is just utterly solid stuff that seems to last forever.

Does what it says on the tin etc.

[Desi Miller]

Do you know who actually manufactures the Rapid 2 product?

[David]

errrr... Rapid Racking! See

David

[Desi Miller]

Perhaps, but having noticed similar products elsewhere I had been thinking that Rapid and others were perhaps retailing a common 3rd party product.