# Steel shelves

**URL:** <https://fireball.discourse.group/t/steel-shelves/1088>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [July 22, 2023, 3:33pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/steel-shelves/1088 "2023-07-22T15:33:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 16\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Jann\_Wimmer](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/jann_wimmer/32/661_2.png) [@Jann\_Wimmer](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Jann_Wimmer)\
**Post date:** [July 22, 2023, 3:33pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/steel-shelves/1088/1 "2023-07-22T15:33:46Z")

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Looking for some tall (12-16 ft) heavy duty shelves for my shop - anyone know where I could locate some?

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![Fireball\_Jason](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/fireball_jason/32/52_2.png) [@Fireball\_Jason](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Fireball_Jason)\
**Post date:** [July 22, 2023, 4:57pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/steel-shelves/1088/2 "2023-07-22T16:57:12Z")

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I use these shelves form Costco in my shop. They are rated at 2000lbs. I’ve thought about stacking them with a splice bar but haven’t tried it yet. [https://www.costco.com/whalen-industrial-rack%2C-77”--x-24”--x-72”.product.100178373.html](https://www.costco.com/whalen-industrial-rack%2C-77%E2%80%9D--x-24%E2%80%9D--x-72%E2%80%9D.product.100178373.html)

A place Called norlift in Spokane has industrial shelving, used and new I believe.

> **[Norlift | JCB & Toyota Construction & Industrial Dealer](https://www.norlift.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmb-website&utm_content=website_button)**
>
> Norlift is your full-service JCB & Toyota Construction & Industrial dealer in Helena, MT Servicing Hub, carrying new, used, rental equipment, & more.

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**Author:** ![Jann\_Wimmer](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/jann_wimmer/32/661_2.png) [@Jann\_Wimmer](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Jann_Wimmer)\
**Post date:** [July 22, 2023, 5:01pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/steel-shelves/1088/3 "2023-07-22T17:01:19Z")

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Exactly! Maybe stacking 2 of them, fastening them to the wall along with some braces would be the ticket.

THanks! 🙂

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**Author:** ![cvairwerks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/53a042/32.png) [@cvairwerks](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/cvairwerks)\
**Post date:** [July 23, 2023, 8:30am UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/steel-shelves/1088/4 "2023-07-23T08:30:31Z")

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Jaan: You’d be much better off simply using pallet racking of the height you need and much safer. Pallet rack verticals can be had from as short as 6 feet, to as tall as 20 feet, with depths from 24 inches to 48 inches. Cross bars from 8 feet to 12 feet and capacities to 10 or 12,000 pounds per pair. Used racking can be had for fairly cheap from lots of dealers and resellers. The last time I bought some, I think I paid about 60$ per vertical and about 20$ per cross bar.

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**Author:** ![LarryFahnoe](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/larryfahnoe/32/67_2.png) [@LarryFahnoe](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/LarryFahnoe)\
**Post date:** [July 23, 2023, 11:44am UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/steel-shelves/1088/5 "2023-07-23T11:44:57Z")

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I concur with @cvairwerks. After being only mildly satisfied with the “heavy duty” shelving from big box stores, I lined three walls of a shed with used pallet racking. Really, a night & day difference.

–Larry

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**Author:** ![Jann\_Wimmer](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/jann_wimmer/32/661_2.png) [@Jann\_Wimmer](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Jann_Wimmer)\
**Post date:** [July 23, 2023, 12:08pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/steel-shelves/1088/6 "2023-07-23T12:08:48Z")

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Ah yeah I was wondering what those are called – looks like Northern Tool has a rack system that’s 120" tall x 24" deep that may work perfect.

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**Author:** ![Jann\_Wimmer](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/jann_wimmer/32/661_2.png) [@Jann\_Wimmer](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Jann_Wimmer)\
**Post date:** [July 23, 2023, 3:34pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/steel-shelves/1088/7 "2023-07-23T15:34:20Z")

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Dang - $700 for one 120"h x 96"w x 24"d with 3 shelves from Northern Tool… gonna keep looking.

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**Author:** ![LarryFahnoe](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/larryfahnoe/32/67_2.png) [@LarryFahnoe](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/LarryFahnoe)\
**Post date:** [July 23, 2023, 4:43pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/steel-shelves/1088/8 "2023-07-23T16:43:43Z")

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I think it’s worth it to visit a yard with used pallet racking. Look at the steel in the one you saw at Northern & compare it to used industrial racking.

–Larry

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**Author:** ![cvairwerks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/53a042/32.png) [@cvairwerks](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/cvairwerks)\
**Post date:** [July 23, 2023, 7:07pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/steel-shelves/1088/9 "2023-07-23T19:07:32Z")

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Here in the DFW area, used 36" deep by 12’ uprights are 95$ each, with beams running 26-65$ each, depending on length and capacity. 3 uprights and (8) 8 foot beams will get you a 16 foot bay with 12 pallet positions.

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**Author:** ![510guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/b487fb/32.png) [@510guy](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/510guy)\
**Post date:** [July 31, 2023, 6:31pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/steel-shelves/1088/10 "2023-07-31T18:31:27Z")

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I would just look for used pallet racking on like fb marketplace or cl. there is lots out there, why spend all your money on racking when you could be buying tools…

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**Author:** ![Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Sam](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Sam)\
**Post date:** [August 3, 2023, 8:28am UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/steel-shelves/1088/11 "2023-08-03T08:28:01Z")

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Do you have any tips on connecting two of the storage rocks vertically?

I remember seeing a part that would make such a thing passable on Sam’s Club’s website, but I cannot find it anymore!

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**Author:** ![Portageecustoms](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/portageecustoms/32/299_2.png) [@Portageecustoms](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Portageecustoms)\
**Post date:** [August 6, 2023, 2:52am UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/steel-shelves/1088/12 "2023-08-06T02:52:38Z")

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Has anyone here just built shelves and regretted it? Or in the end happier than with bought shelving.

But the obvious down side is the time to make them.

Something that has stuck with me every since machine shop class was the professor telling me ill always be money ahead to buy something rather than making it.

Maybe its something ill do if i get bored. Maybe ill be money ahead to get rid of parts🤔

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**Author:** ![cvairwerks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/53a042/32.png) [@cvairwerks](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/cvairwerks)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 12:00pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/steel-shelves/1088/13 "2023-08-26T12:00:35Z")

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I’ve made small shelving units before, to fit oddball locations. Buying standard size units is always going to be cheaper and faster in the long run, if you have to account for your time. With the way material costs have gone over the last two years or so, I can buy them for less than what I have to pay for the materials, in bulk.

Depends on what parts you are keeping around Portagee. I’ve got some parts stashed that are essentially unobtainable and the cost to replace would justify actually tooling up and making them from scratch. There are a number of us that are working on the same projects and often when one person has an item made, they will toss out to the group that it’s happening and there will be multiple parts made rather than a single part.

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**Author:** ![Racer](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/racer/32/551_2.png) [@Racer](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Racer)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 12:45am UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/steel-shelves/1088/14 "2023-10-27T00:45:54Z")

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I’ve had great results over the years with warehouse racking like you see at Home Depot and Lowe’s. Tim

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**Author:** ![Smoke-and-Mirrors](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/smoke-and-mirrors/32/101_2.png) [@Smoke-and-Mirrors](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Smoke-and-Mirrors)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2023, 5:46pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/steel-shelves/1088/15 "2023-10-29T17:46:48Z")

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I’m with larry used pallet racking is the only way to go so versatile and day and nights for strength… On a side note can easily be repurposed. I have built temporary structures, permant structures use them for extra heavy duty scaffolding, etc, etc, also they hold a good resale value.

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**Author:** ![Mooner\_Chambers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Mooner\_Chambers](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Mooner_Chambers)\
**Post date:** [November 5, 2023, 3:51pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/steel-shelves/1088/16 "2023-11-05T15:51:55Z")

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I concur with Jason. I use those same Shelves from Costco and they are Awesome! However if you’re needing something that Tall I would go with Industrial Pallett Racking. It is completely Modular. There are places all over the United States that sell it New & Used. When you buy it used you can get it pretty affordable. There are usually a ton of people selling it on FB Marketplace as well.  
Even if it’s scratched up, a quick layer of Spray Oaint and it’s as good as New.
