Vertical lumber rack questions

[Michael W. Clark]

I'm putting in a lumber rack to store my lumber vertically, soldier style. I used 3/4 EMT for the dividers set into 2x4s that are screwed to the wall.

1. What could I use to cover the ends of the EMT? I can see myself getting scratched pretty good on it. Looking for something that is commercially available.
2. Do I need to put a piece of ply under the boards ends when I Set them on the concrete? I assume that would help prevent checking.
3. Is it necessary to use a chai or bungee chord to keep the boards from falling out?

Thanks in advance,
Mike

[Scott T Smith]

I'm putting in a lumber rack to store my lumber vertically, soldier style. I used 3/4 EMT for the dividers set into 2x4s that are screwed to the wall.

1. What could I use to cover the ends of the EMT? I can see myself getting scratched pretty good on it. Looking for something that is commercially available.
2. Do I need to put a piece of ply under the boards ends when I Set them on the concrete? I assume that would help prevent checking.
3. Is it necessary to use a chai or bungee chord to keep the boards from falling out?

Thanks in advance,
Mike

McMaster sells a variety of rubber caps for pipe and tubing.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#rubber-caps/=12bbtya

[Randall J Cox]

I would put something under the plywood as there might be moisture coming up through the concrete floor. Also protects the plywood edges somewhat. And yes you need something to keep boards from falling out. Had some fall over in my shop that I had very temporarily stood on edge and leaned against the wall, of course I bumped them and not only damaged some of my "stuff" when they fell, nearly got me too. Yes, there are firms out there that sell end caps for just about any type of tubing you can think of. Google is your friend on this. Randy

[Mike Nolan]

I definitely would put something between the boards and the concrete. I don't restrain the boards in my vertical stack with anything. Sometimes I need to turn a board around so that it doesn't lean or fall out.

[Steven Wayne]

Can you post a photo of what you have thus far? Sounds like something I need to do in my shop!

[Michael W. Clark]

Thanks for the responses. I will get a good measurement of the EMT OD before ordering the endcaps, I completely forgot about Mcmaster Carr, thanks!

I'll probably use a rip from some 1/2" OSB to go on the floor to separate the lumber from the concrete I'm not worried about affecting the OSB ply, it is sacrificial and I will probably just let the weight of the vertical boards hold it in place. Still not sure if I should put something under the front of it to cause the lumber to tip back to the wall.

I have a separate plywood storage rack, also vertical. I will get some pictures in the next couple of days to show what I did with both. The arrangement is from different images I have seen on here and other places. I wanted to go vertical for ease of stacking and sorting.

Thanks, Mike

[Earl McLain]

I did a vertical area last fall--like it a lot, but i have 10 1/2' from floor to top plate. Built a 2x treated frame on the floor, covered that with OSB. Ran the uprights at a 3 deg or so pitch--if i recall correctly that left a 8" or so gap over the 10' from floor to plate. Since mine lay flat (compared to soldier style), i didn't put any dividers in to save space. I should have put them in to keep me from cramming too much in--would be easier to sort through now. Side benefit--while moving lumber into that area--found a flitch of sassafras i forgot i had. Has open areas down the middle just begging to be inlaid!!

earl

[Joe Jensen]

I used like 1.5" EMT horizontally for a wood rack and I found some plastic caps that slide into the end of the EMT and not over the end. Cleaner look and the caps won't get hung up.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w99/AZEngineer/Shop%20photos/IMG_04041.jpg (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/AZEngineer/media/Shop%20photos/IMG_04041.jpg.html)

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w99/AZEngineer/Shop%20photos/IMG_04061.jpg (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/AZEngineer/media/Shop%20photos/IMG_04061.jpg.html)

The caps looks like these. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kee-Klamp-Key-Clamp-Pipe-Clamp-Plastic-End-Cap-60mm-133-60-E-/261402953309

[Dan Rude]

You can also try a bushing for a little less. http://www.graybar.com/store/en/gb/3-4-inch-polyethylene-push-on-emt-insulating-bushing-97253437# Dan

[Sam Murdoch]

I encourage you to add at least a piece 1/2" foil faced foam board under the OSB floor to help keep moisture away from the lumber ends THOUGH I think Earl's raised frame idea - post # 7 - is even better. As for holding the lumber from falling out - why not ? It is so easy to provide a bit of safety. A simple pair of bent angle iron - an open bar holder - to catch a piece of 1x or 2x makes for an easy to remove safety bar.

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