I don't typically store much lumber in the shop. I prefer to let the lumber yard do the storage for me and just go buy what I need when I need it. Of course I have to keep some on hand to do quick projects.
The other night I heard a loud noise from the shop. I thought someone had drove through the over head door. When I slowly opened the door there was no wrecked car but there was a pile of wood on the floor. My miserly metal brackets that I have used to store lumber on for over 10 years finally gave way. I knew they were slowly starting to sag but I put off replacing them. Gravity eventually took over and down came all the lumber.
Like always I took a tour of YouTube to see what other woodworkers were doing to make their own lumber racks. I found what I wanted and scaled it down to meet my needs.
I removed the cheap metal brackets and installed 2X4s with 5" screws into the studs. I used a level to get them straight.
The brackets are made form 2X4 and 1/2" Plywood. I cut the side part of the bracket from a 8"X8" square of plywood. Notice in the picture that I have the side bracket screwed to the support bracket so it will saddle the wall posts. I'm using square drive flat head screws to draw the parts tight.
I carefully slid the assembled brackets over the wall post and again leveled everything up. I screwed the side brackets into the wall posts with 3" flat head screws. I used two on each side but I may go back and add another screw just for a bit more insurance. I didn't try to hang on them but I pulled pretty hard and they seem very sturdy. Time will tell but I don't think they are going to come down.
I loaded the lumber rack with my modest supply of boards. Obviously this system can be expanded to any size. For more support I could add a third rack between the two. I had to buy the 1/2" plywood. It was around $11 for a 2'X4' sheet. I used a little over half of it. I already had everything else so it was pretty cheap to replace the poor metal brackets I had.
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