Simple 12 Shelf Rack

In the mist of building this. figured i show off the design for anyone looking for a easy DIY rack. im making first 6 shelf's 41qts and the top 6 for 27,16,6 qt tubs.

6-2x4 at 6ft each
12 shelves- 18x36 cut from 3 4'x8' sheets
cost me $93
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...ck/Capture.jpg

Cool design! At that price its definitely a money saver imo.

Thanks for sharing!

it sure is. i still gotta figure out how much flexwatt i need for each shelf.

forgot to say that you can also put some wheels on bottom of each 2x4 for easier mobility. itll help raise the rack up another 5 or so inches.

good looking design. but is the room heated? there is alot of open space around it.

Kind redundant question to ask is the room heated. OF course it is, its 84oF in room

heres a top view to give better view on how it goes.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...k/Captureg.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by flameethrower

Kind redundant question to ask is the room heated. OF course it is, its 84oF in room

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just making sure. in your first post you didn't say anything about that.

id be worried about it wobbling with no bracing and just being screwed on the end like that without a back

I may put another 6footer down middle of the back if it seems wobbly. once its all up and running ill post final pictures.

if you lay flat on ground it shouldnt wobble unless you use wheels, then a back piece will need to be on

Add the back 2x4. My rack is about the same length and width, and shorter, and it needed the 2x4 in the center back to keep things stable. Also, I found that leaving it open on all sides like that was more of a hindrance to temps, so I placed 1/8" hardboard between the 2x4s.

Nice plans. :) Hope they work out well for ya!

if your room is heated to 84, what is your cool spots running?

84 is a bit warm for a cool spot IMO.

the space heater t-sat is set at 83-84 on cold nights and room reads 82 in thier tubs as well. on warmer nights 40oF+ i set it on 80, and their tubs will maintain 81-82

did you ever think about adding some 1x1 to make slides for the larger tubs so it sits on the lip around the top of the tub. I have experienced some problems with my 41 qts bowing with larger females when i pull out the tub for cleaning. I already struggled with putting one of my tubs back in the rack because of the tub sagging in the center today. Just some helpful ideas. I know it adds money to the project but if it saves some hassle later just an idea. If i have to build a new rack i will build it so the tubs are held up against the top this way versus sliding in and out on the bottom.

heres the added support.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14.../Capture-1.jpg

Much better. :) Have fun building it.

How do you plan to secure the plywood to the 2x4's? Doesn't look very secure to me at all. Honestly, I would say you should put some more thought into the design before spending money. Your going to have to throw a lot of money into that thing to get it functional.... then when all is said and done it still won't be that great.

im using small 1''x1'' L brackets under each shelf. itll be simple but very sturdy

looks good. i was thinking of doing this but my concer was to much of a cool breeze coming through cutting down on the effect of my heat tape, and upping my electrical bill :(

let me know how it works. may still try it!!

cool air shouldnt happen in a heated room.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14.../Capture-2.jpg
Final edit on the rack. buying materials today

It is functional, Mike. :) I have one almost exactly like that, but only 4 shelves high. It's built just the same, and the shelves are screwed onto the 2x4s from the outside. For extra support, I added small 'L' brackets to each shelf on each 2x4. Mine has been in use for months now with no structural trouble at all.

Geez, you guys are fast. :)

fast i know. after 5 years in engineering schools you pick up a few stuff here and there. even though i was there for computer informations. still good to know the programs for cage designs.

Well get to work and be sure to post pictures of the finished product!!! good luck!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by flameethrower

cool air shouldnt happen in a heated room.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14.../Capture-2.jpg
Final edit on the rack. buying materials today

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I dont mean cool air as in cold breeze

anything cooler then the tape, blowing across the tape is going to make it work harder to keep itself set to a proper temp.. sealing off the back shoud stop that

but your final pic should work well for stopping that. and if you push it against a wayy it should work perfectly