Will My DIY Pipe Shelving Be Stable Enough?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the construction of a DIY shelving unit using 3/4" pipe and fittings, designed as a two-shelf system with shelves positioned 180 degrees apart around a central pole. The user plans to secure the pole to a plywood base and anticipates each shelf supporting between 5 and 100 lbs. Participants confirm that extending the base beyond the shelves enhances stability, but caution that the design lacks torsional bracing, which is essential for preventing potential instability.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of structural stability principles
  • Familiarity with 3/4" pipe and fittings
  • Basic woodworking skills for constructing a plywood base
  • Knowledge of load distribution and weight support
NEXT STEPS
  • Research methods for adding torsional bracing to shelving units
  • Explore different base designs for improved stability
  • Learn about weight distribution techniques in shelving systems
  • Investigate materials and tools for enhancing the durability of DIY projects
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for DIY enthusiasts, home improvement hobbyists, and anyone interested in building stable and functional shelving units using pipe and fittings.

brnlow
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I plan on building shelving using 3/4" pipe and fittings. The general design is a 2 shelf system -180 degrees from each other around a center pole at different heights. I plan on bolting the center pole to a plywood base. Each shelf will hold between 5 and 100 lbs. I want to make sure its stable. I think as long as the base extends longer than the shelves on each side I should be ok - am I right. Attached is a basic concept.
 

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brnlow said:
I think as long as the base extends longer than the shelves on each side I should be ok - am I right.

Yes you are right. You might think about extending the base a bit on the side of the tallest shelf to improve stability against larger disturbances.

Torquil
 
brnlow said:
I plan on building shelving using 3/4" pipe and fittings. The general design is a 2 shelf system -180 degrees from each other around a center pole at different heights. I plan on bolting the center pole to a plywood base. Each shelf will hold between 5 and 100 lbs. I want to make sure its stable. I think as long as the base extends longer than the shelves on each side I should be ok - am I right. Attached is a basic concept.

I'm not convinced- there's no bracing against torsion, for example- either for the pole or the shelves.
 

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