How do you build a rack?!?!

I'll give you the secret to building racks by yourself and keeping them square.

Clamps - various sizes. The only other tool you need is a drill. Have the wood cut at the store.

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

I'll give you the secret to building racks by yourself and keeping them square.

Clamps - various sizes. The only other tool you need is a drill. Have the wood cut at the store.

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stores here dont do very good cuts, if they will even cut melamine at all. (most wont).

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Originally Posted by Rat160

stores here dont do very good cuts, if they will even cut melamine at all. (most wont).

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You just need to find the right person. I get exceptional service and super accurate cuts at Home Depot and Lowes. I also heard that they charge for the cuts but I have never been charged. I had one guy make 60 cuts for me which took quite some time. I only paid for the wood.

If you walk in with a cut sheet and are very specific as to what you need they will cut the wood. I also get the same service at lumber yards.

Now I cannot speak for your area, only mine. NJ has more "rear end type" people per square mile than most other states and they cut the wood for me here. I would imagine you should be able to find someone to help you in your state. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

You just need to find the right person. I get exceptional service and super accurate cuts at Home Depot and Lowes. I also heard that they charge for the cuts but I have never been charged. I had one guy make 60 cuts for me which took quite some time. I only paid for the wood.

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You are very lucky!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

You just need to find the right person. I get exceptional service and super accurate cuts at Home Depot and Lowes. I also heard that they charge for the cuts but I have never been charged. I had one guy make 60 cuts for me which took quite some time. I only paid for the wood.

If you walk in with a cut sheet and are very specific as to what you need they will cut the wood. I also get the same service at lumber yards.

Now I cannot speak for your area, only mine. NJ has more "rear end type" people per square mile than most other states and they cut the wood for me here. I would imagine you should be able to find someone to help you in your state. :rolleyes:

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Home depot and lowes here told me that they wont cut the melamine anymore because they were burning through too many blades. Its a new policy they said. I found one place to cut it but only rough cuts. I like it that way anyway because I like to make my own final cuts..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rat160

Home depot and lowes here told me that they wont cut the melamine anymore because they were burning through too many blades. Its a new policy they said. I found one place to cut it but only rough cuts. I like it that way anyway because I like to make my own final cuts..

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That must be a local policy because I just had two sheets cut yesterday.

BTW, my advice was for the OP who was having trouble with a drill. My advice again is:

1) Find a place to make the cuts for you.
2) Use clamps to hold the wood steady and square.
3) Don't drill too fast, too deep and keep it straight - and use the right size bit.

By the time you finish your second rack you'll be a pro.

Wow, thank you all for such wonderful information. And so kindly given!

Anyways, I did get my wood cut at home depot, and it seemed uneven? But then again it could quite possibly be me.

This is what I tried doing (try not to laugh to hard):

1. I tried to lay the wood edges together to make a rectangle (like the rack without the shelves) so I could drill them in. Everything was lying horizontal and kept drifting off or falling. I finally managed to get it steady and found that predrilling worked better. But I sometimes made holes by missing it. And then it would get unsteady and just not line up properly no matter how hard I tried. I also tried lining it up like a rack then screwing it in, but I could keep it together. It kept falling.

2. I could not drill in the bottom edge because it was too close to the floor and my drill wouldn't fit. So I tried turning it over. The thing came apart because of the weight on one panel. So I redrilled it.

3. After redrilling and some more panels, I ended up with a piece of wormanship that looked very off center with big gaps on the top and bottom of the horziontal box. I decided not even to try to put shelves in.

I did attempt, believe it or not, to follow directions from the site, but the terminology is to hard for me, such as the words "drill" and "screws" (i'm joking a little here) ;)

Overall, I decided to show up here and just ask for some advice. Because you guys are amazing builders :)