The TRUTH about melamine racks...

[jben]

Mines measures 4*2(sides) and 2*2 shelves. It holds 6 tubs high, so it holds 6-32qts with 6-6qts next to them or 2-15qts or 3-6qts per shelf. It's really up to me and what i need so very versatile i think. The 6qts i have to leave the lids on, good thing they are the locking lids. It's fairly new so no problems.

[zeke]

I have not built my Melamine setup yet. But I can say that it will sag from being to long. you need support in the middle and if you dont have a back on the unit that will help from saging. If you can double up the layer where its sagging and screw them to each other the sag may go away, but I'm not sure how bad it is... I say this from experiance being a custom cabinet maker for 4 years and now I build cases for museum's to display items.. Support is what is needed. just my two cents have a good day.


Cheers

[WingedWolfPsion]

Try checking locally for expanded PVC board. You may be surprised, I was able to find someone who carried it here. It's a little more expensive than melamine board, but it's much lighter, and sturdy.

[chromeitout]

Now the dividers shouldn't have to go all the way to the back, right? So you can still run your Flexwatt tape across the whole shelf in one piece. I would just have to make the rack a little wider, 3/4". I don't think I wil keep the lids either.
Thanks chromeitout!

No, I wouldn't think so if you put a back in it (I use the 1/4 predrilled pegboard) and attatch it to each shelf.

No need to thank me, I'm trying to get all of the info I can about rack warpage in this one thread so we can choose an almost foolproof design for our racks that will benefit us for years to come. You know... the companies that build and sell the nice racks really do have a good product, but some of us have the skills to build as well, can't afford several of them to house our animals, and for me I enjoy the DIY part as much as the rest of the hobby. Who says we shouldn't be knowledgeble about what works and what doesn't.

The more replies we get the more we'll know... that's what is great about this forum. I should have started the thread something like this, though...Looking for info... please post a description of your DIY racks with sizes, how many and what kind of tubs each shelf holds, what it is made of, how long it has been in service, has it warped AT ALL, or any other info that would pertain to what you did to keep it from warping (dividers, supports, bracing, etc.).

Mines measures 4*2(sides) and 2*2 shelves. It holds 6 tubs high, so it holds 6-32qts with 6-6qts next to them or 2-15qts or 3-6qts per shelf. It's really up to me and what i need so very versatile i think. The 6qts i have to leave the lids on, good thing they are the locking lids. It's fairly new so no problems.

Thanks for the info! Please post back if you do notice any issues later.

Try checking locally for expanded PVC board. You may be surprised, I was able to find someone who carried it here. It's a little more expensive than melamine board, but it's much lighter, and sturdy.

I would love to try XPVC and have not looked for it locally yet. What sizes are your racks, thickness of XPVC, how long have you had them in service, and are you saying that they have not warped?

[Mike Schultz]

I use hard plastic racks... they are about 5 years old and still working fine. No sagging or warpage at all.