Will My DIY Pipe Shelving Be Stable Enough?

[brnlow]

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.

 

[torquil]

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

 

[Andy Resnick]

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.