I have a section of wall that I could use for lumber storage, but the
wall is cinder blocks (with really nice fake wood grain paneling on
furring strips). From looking at past posts I've seen two types of
systems discussed. One is a commercial shelving system where you
screw supports to the wall and then insert arms into the supports.
Lee Valley sells such a system. They told me it wouldn't work with
cinder blocks. The other system I've seen talked about is 4x4 posts
with some kind of pipe inserted into holes. But the problem of
securing the system to the wall still looms. I thought maybe the
solution would be to build a proper wall and use that, but then I
realized that I don't know what keeps the wall from falling over.
So is there a simple way to build a lumber storage rack on a cinder
block wall? Am I underestimating the holding strength of cinder
blocks? (The seem pretty crumbly and weak, but maybe large toggle
bolts?)
fist thing. cinder block or cement block? 2 different type of masonry
construction.
If it is a true cinder block wall you would have to anchor to the joists
above the cinder block as they have no holding power.
If cement block then drill into the mortar joint or the block web and
use expansion anchors to hold either the 4x4 or commercial shelving kit
to the wall.
BRuce
Adrian Mariano wrote:
> I have a section of wall that I could use for lumber storage, but the
> wall is cinder blocks (with really nice fake wood grain paneling on
> furring strips). From looking at past posts I've seen two types of
> systems discussed. One is a commercial shelving system where you
> screw supports to the wall and then insert arms into the supports.
> Lee Valley sells such a system. They told me it wouldn't work with
> cinder blocks. The other system I've seen talked about is 4x4 posts
> with some kind of pipe inserted into holes. But the problem of
> securing the system to the wall still looms. I thought maybe the
> solution would be to build a proper wall and use that, but then I
> realized that I don't know what keeps the wall from falling over.
>
> So is there a simple way to build a lumber storage rack on a cinder
> block wall? Am I underestimating the holding strength of cinder
> blocks? (The seem pretty crumbly and weak, but maybe large toggle
> bolts?)
--
---
BRuce
Could you run your upright support posts up to the ceiling & attach to
joists?
--
Larry Wasserman Baltimore, Maryland
[email protected]
The lumber rack that I have used in two shops is only attached to the wall
to keep it from falling "away". The rack it self is supported by the
uprights resting on the floor of the shop. Check out my cantilevered rack
using 1 x 4 material with 2 x 4 brackets sandwiched between the 1 x 4
uprights that are lag bolted to my framed wall. In the cinderblock or
concrete installation you would replace the 4 lag bolts with a dozen
Tapcons.
See the pictures and description at :
http://www.woodworkinghobby.com/html/lumber_rack.html
email me if you have any questions.
Regards,
--
Dennis Slabaugh, Hobbyist Woodworker
www.woodworkinghobby.com
"Adrian Mariano" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:s4ARb.1806$fZ6.156@lakeread06...
> I didn't realize there were two kinds of block. How can I tell which
> I have? It's 50 year old construction. A masonry drill bit plunges
> into this stuff very easily. There do seem to be a few things nailed
> to the blocks around the basement and they haven't fallen off yet.
> But the weight load is low, not like what a lumber rack would have to
> take.
>
>
> BRuce <BRuce> writes:
>
> >fist thing. cinder block or cement block? 2 different type of masonry
> >construction.
>
> >If it is a true cinder block wall you would have to anchor to the joists
> >above the cinder block as they have no holding power.
>
> >If cement block then drill into the mortar joint or the block web and
> >use expansion anchors to hold either the 4x4 or commercial shelving kit
> >to the wall.
>
>
> >BRuce
>
> >Adrian Mariano wrote:
>
> >> I have a section of wall that I could use for lumber storage, but the
> >> wall is cinder blocks (with really nice fake wood grain paneling on
> >> furring strips). From looking at past posts I've seen two types of
> >> systems discussed. One is a commercial shelving system where you
> >> screw supports to the wall and then insert arms into the supports.
> >> Lee Valley sells such a system. They told me it wouldn't work with
> >> cinder blocks. The other system I've seen talked about is 4x4 posts
> >> with some kind of pipe inserted into holes. But the problem of
> >> securing the system to the wall still looms. I thought maybe the
> >> solution would be to build a proper wall and use that, but then I
> >> realized that I don't know what keeps the wall from falling over.
> >>
> >> So is there a simple way to build a lumber storage rack on a cinder
> >> block wall? Am I underestimating the holding strength of cinder
> >> blocks? (The seem pretty crumbly and weak, but maybe large toggle
> >> bolts?)
>
> >--
> >---
>
> >BRuce
"Adrian Mariano" wrote ...
> I have a section of wall that I could use for lumber storage, but the
> wall is cinder blocks <snip>
> So is there a simple way to build a lumber storage rack on a cinder
> block wall? Am I underestimating the holding strength of cinder
> blocks? (The seem pretty crumbly and weak, but maybe large toggle
> bolts?)
Build a freestanding rack and anchor it to whatever framing lumber you have
in the ceiling. That way the floor takes the weight and the ceiling anchors
just keep it from falling over.
--
Cheers,
Howard
----------------------------------------------------------
Working wood in New Jersey - [email protected]
Visit me in the woodshop - www.inthewoodshop.org
As someone else mentioned, there is a difference between cinder block and CMUs.
My garage wall is CMU construction, and my wood rack (4x4 with pipe type)
holds just fine with 1/4" tapcon screws every 6". I did have to counterbore
the holes for the tapcons, because I couldn't find any 5" tacon screws.
BTW, somebody suggested attaching into the mortar joint. I would suggest that
that is not the best place to anchor to. You are much better off getting into
the block itself, which is typically stronger than the mortar.
David
remove the key to email me.
"Adrian Mariano" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:VCeRb.268$fZ6.78@lakeread06...
> I have a section of wall that I could use for lumber storage, but the
> wall is cinder blocks (with really nice fake wood grain paneling on
> furring strips). From looking at past posts I've seen two types of
> systems discussed. One is a commercial shelving system where you
> screw supports to the wall and then insert arms into the supports.
> Lee Valley sells such a system. They told me it wouldn't work with
> cinder blocks. The other system I've seen talked about is 4x4 posts
> with some kind of pipe inserted into holes. But the problem of
> securing the system to the wall still looms. I thought maybe the
> solution would be to build a proper wall and use that, but then I
> realized that I don't know what keeps the wall from falling over.
>
> So is there a simple way to build a lumber storage rack on a cinder
> block wall? Am I underestimating the holding strength of cinder
> blocks? (The seem pretty crumbly and weak, but maybe large toggle
> bolts?)
I simply "bolted" my lumber rack's heavy duty shelf standards to the sill
plate on top of the blocks with lag screws and let it hang. I also put some
shorts screws into the furring strips simply to keep the standards plumb.
John
[email protected] (Adrian Mariano) wrote in news:VCeRb.268$fZ6.78@lakeread06:
> So is there a simple way to build a lumber storage rack on a cinder
> block wall? Am I underestimating the holding strength of cinder
> blocks? (The seem pretty crumbly and weak, but maybe large toggle
> bolts?)
I framed up some brackets out of scrap 1x4, and fastened them to
the wall with half a dozen tapcons each. Tapcons have surprisingly
great strength (note, tho, that you need to use genuine tapcons;
the copies sold by Home Depot (made by Crown Bolt?) have crudely
formed threads and are all but useless).
John
Ell brackets screwed to the 4x4's then attached to the cinder block with
toggle bolts?
--
"Cartoons don't have any deep meaning.
They're just stupid drawings that give you a cheap laugh."
Homer Simpson
Jerry© The Phoneman®
"Adrian Mariano" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:VCeRb.268$fZ6.78@lakeread06...
> I have a section of wall that I could use for lumber storage, but the
> wall is cinder blocks (with really nice fake wood grain paneling on
> furring strips). From looking at past posts I've seen two types of
> systems discussed. One is a commercial shelving system where you
> screw supports to the wall and then insert arms into the supports.
> Lee Valley sells such a system. They told me it wouldn't work with
> cinder blocks. The other system I've seen talked about is 4x4 posts
> with some kind of pipe inserted into holes. But the problem of
> securing the system to the wall still looms. I thought maybe the
> solution would be to build a proper wall and use that, but then I
> realized that I don't know what keeps the wall from falling over.
>
> So is there a simple way to build a lumber storage rack on a cinder
> block wall? Am I underestimating the holding strength of cinder
> blocks? (The seem pretty crumbly and weak, but maybe large toggle
> bolts?)
Adrian Mariano wrote:
>Lee Valley sells such a system. They told me it wouldn't work with
>cinder blocks.
Eh? I have the John Sterling Fast Track (same as Lee Valley
but bought locally) and have them all over and my shop walls
are CMU (concrete masonry units).
http://www.johnsterling.com/aboutfastmount.htm
I keep around 100 bd. ft. on each 11" bracket with the
standards spaced around 20" on center.
>So is there a simple way to build a lumber storage rack on a cinder
>block wall? Am I underestimating the holding strength of cinder
>blocks? (The seem pretty crumbly and weak, but maybe large toggle
>bolts?)
You could do that. Also with the Fast Track you can buy a
hook that will fit over the top of the wall. It's not
designed to hold the entire load but is beneficial.
The Fast Track is the easiest way to have storage in a
hurry.
UA100
I laid up some 2x4s against the wall and anchored them to the floor
joists above. The bottoms sit on short lengths of 2x4. I then made a
couple of short shelf extensions that stick out from the wall about
16" or so. I braced and gussetted them to the vertical 2x4s. I have a
couple of dozen 2x4s and assorted 1bys stacked on them. I also have a
chain that hangs from the joists that can be hooked to the end of the
shelf extension, but they haven't sagged yet. I have the lowest shelf
high enough to lean a 4x8' sheet of stuff underneath.
If you're interested: http://www.avercy.com/vw/vw_pics/PDRM0001.JPG
http://www.avercy.com/vw/vw_pics/PDRM0002.JPG
There's usually about twice that amount stacked up.
I didn't realize there were two kinds of block. How can I tell which
I have? It's 50 year old construction. A masonry drill bit plunges
into this stuff very easily. There do seem to be a few things nailed
to the blocks around the basement and they haven't fallen off yet.
But the weight load is low, not like what a lumber rack would have to
take.
BRuce <BRuce> writes:
>fist thing. cinder block or cement block? 2 different type of masonry
>construction.
>If it is a true cinder block wall you would have to anchor to the joists
>above the cinder block as they have no holding power.
>If cement block then drill into the mortar joint or the block web and
>use expansion anchors to hold either the 4x4 or commercial shelving kit
>to the wall.
>BRuce
>Adrian Mariano wrote:
>> I have a section of wall that I could use for lumber storage, but the
>> wall is cinder blocks (with really nice fake wood grain paneling on
>> furring strips). From looking at past posts I've seen two types of
>> systems discussed. One is a commercial shelving system where you
>> screw supports to the wall and then insert arms into the supports.
>> Lee Valley sells such a system. They told me it wouldn't work with
>> cinder blocks. The other system I've seen talked about is 4x4 posts
>> with some kind of pipe inserted into holes. But the problem of
>> securing the system to the wall still looms. I thought maybe the
>> solution would be to build a proper wall and use that, but then I
>> realized that I don't know what keeps the wall from falling over.
>>
>> So is there a simple way to build a lumber storage rack on a cinder
>> block wall? Am I underestimating the holding strength of cinder
>> blocks? (The seem pretty crumbly and weak, but maybe large toggle
>> bolts?)
>--
>---
>BRuce