Managing the many things of a family can seem like an impossible task. Some of us have too much stuff and even after the garage sales, Craig’s List or Ebay listings, and going to the dump, we still find there are things that are a part of our lives which we don’t want to get rid of. Our family has about 100 cubic feet of Christmas stuff. There is camping equipment, summer fun items like inflatables, coolers and waterblasters, sports equipment, tools of every description, craft supplies and more! How can you store all of this stuff? Build some shelving!
To start:
- Determine how many of your things can fit in uniform sized plastic storage containers. There will always be things that won’t fit like skis and you may resist grouping many small things in one container, but storage efficiency is found in uniformity.
- Once you have decided on a container size that will work, shelves are designed around your chosen containers.
- We ended up using clear plastic containers, approximately 16″ wide x 25″ long in two heights: 11″ and 16 1/2″. This complicated the shelf spacing by requiring 19″ for the tall containers and 24″ to stack two of the smaller containers.
Here is one good basic shelf design:
- Back shelf supports are 2″ x 2″, bought as such, or ripped from a 2″ x 4″, and nailed or screwed to the studs on the wall.
- Front supports are 2″ x 2″ or a 2″ x 4″ placed flat.
- You may need intermediary support for larger projects–that is, vertical members which rest on your garage floor. 2″ x 2″ front supports are okay up to about 42″ and flat 2″ x 4″ can span as much as 6′.
- Plywood has a grain direction. It is designed to have the most strength when the 8′ direction is perpendicular to the supports. If your shelf system is 24″ deep, 24″ x 48″ shelves will be made from each sheet.
- Shelf spacing is determined by taking your storage container height, adding a few inches, adding the thickness of shelving (flat 2″ x 4″ plus 1/2″ CDX is 2″) and figuring how many of these can fit in your vertical space. For example if your containers are almost 17″ tall, you might start by taking 17″ adding 3″ for a little space and 2″ for shelving. Five shelf spaces are 5 times 22 for 110″, less one 2″ shelf for 108″ (4 shelves make 5 spaces). If you have 8′6″ (102″) from floor to ceiling you might reduce the “extra space” from 3″ to about 1 13/16″ to fit in your desired number of spaces or go with one less shelf.
What if you want shelves that look more finished for a porch or utility room?
- The same 2″ framing came be used. Framing members can be prefinished with a stain/sealer or painted. For a more finished look ripped edges should be rounded and if you are staining, painted lumber ends should be belt sanded clean.
- Shelving can be stained plywood, or, using side by side 1″ x 12″ pine boards offers an upgraded look and alternative framing option. If running the boards from side to side, they can easily span 3 to 4′ and for light storage up to 5′. 2″ x 2″ framing is then perpendicular to the back wall and attached to vertical 2″ x 2″ or 2″ x 4″s.
Though this work is fairly basic for a skilled carpenter, it still may take some time. I have been asked to fix shelves installed by homeowners or unskilled workers and often found projects installed which violate basic framing and structure principals and are not able to support the weight placed on them. Often they are dangerous. I know shelving should be within the domain of the weekend warrior but you will still want to make sure they are done right. Consider finding a recommended handyman or installation professional for a lasting project.
JR Mathwig Builders on HelpHive
But not to fear, you can be happier than this little guy IF you choose the right equipment AND contractor.
quality and reduction of pollen and dust in the house is a terrific benefit. Like many people, my friends have allergic reactions to pollen, bacteria and dust mites. Allergies including hay fever and asthma affect 41 million Americans or about one out of six people. This month here in the Pacific Northwest many are being affected by tree pollen, including maples, alders and the cottonwood cotton floating through the air like snow, reminding us to keep allergy meds stocked up. It’s a blessing to have a set of filters capturing the bulk of the pollen and dust in the house and providing a much healthier indoor breathing experience. The Honeywell EAC is “an advanced and easy-to-use, whole-house solution that traps and filters up to 98% of pollutants from the air passing through your heating and cooling system. This advanced air cleaner captures microscopic impurities like dust, smoke and smog particles in addition to larger particles like mold spores and cat dander. It works by placing an electric charge on airborne particles, and then collecting the charged pollutants like a magnet. Plus, you can say goodbye to monthly filter replacements by simply washing the air cleaner cells in your dishwasher or sink.”That was the sales pitch, and they are sure glad the HVAC company suggested it to them. My friend gladly admits to being part of the 81% of people using EACs who say they have found “significant” relief from having cleaner air in the home. The unit wasn’t expensive and the filters are easy to clean, they were advised to simply run them through the dishwasher.
ell recommends consulting the manufacturer of your dishwasher before you attempt to wash the electronic cells – always a good idea. The only recommended washing methods for Electronic Air Cleaner cells are with soaps that are safe for use on aluminum, such as automatic dishwasher detergents. Set four mugs or glasses upside-down to rest the cells on top of. This protects the cells from the dishwasher spikes that may break ionizing wires, and bend collector plates. Never allow the cells to go through the drying cycle. This will “bake on” any materials that were not removed during the wash cycle, my friend says she opens the dishwasher door after the wash and lets them air dry on the racks. If you don’t let them air dry then be careful when removing cells after washing, the cells may be hot, and sharp edges may cause cuts. After washing the cells, take a clean cloth and gently wipe down the ionizing wires. Then slide them back into the EAC unit.
An outdoor deck can greatly expand the usefulness of your yard. BBQs, outdoor parties, and family lounging are all easier when you have a place to be.
If you are a professional musician you already know how to take care of your instrument. Perhaps instead you have a piano you play ocassionally or you bought or were given one that ends up more of a piece of furniture. Pianos are complex machines and beautifully crafted pieces of art in one. As to complexity a full grand piano has over 12,000 parts, 10,000 of them moving. The craftsmanship combines as much as a dozen species of wood in a single piano. Pianos, made mostly of wood, have many pieces that can change slightly in shape and size due to temperature and humidity. To be kept in prime condition and to look and play at their full potential they must be regularly cared for.
Restoration and Rebuilding. Any number of the wooden piano parts can become broken or damaged and these must be expertly repaired. Metal and other parts can wear out. For perspective, there is eighteen tons of pressure across the strings of a piano; closer to thirty tons on a grand. This is the opposite end of the universe from the DIYer.
