sawbones

Hello.
People want me to erect shelving in a 10'x30' space to hold boxes of files. They drew up how they want it done, with 16" rips of 3/4 plywood. So, around the perimeter of the room is to be a stack of shelves(8 shelves high) with 11" in between each, to receive the file-boxes.
To keep the shelves from sagging, under the weight of the files, they want 11" blocks every 4'.
I still envision 3/4 ply sagging, over a four foot span.

Does anyone have any tips/ideas/suggestions on how to do this with minimum headaches?

Much thanks in advance,
sawbones

jlhaslip

Support the back edge with a 1 x 4 cleat nailed to the framing and support the front edge with a 2 x 4 on edge.
Glued and nailed would be good. Possibly rabbet the 2 x 4's onto the plywood.

4 ft is too wide for boxes to paper.

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sawbones

The 10x30 room is actually in a storage unit, made of corrugated metal. I'm probably not allowed to attach to the building; another aspect that gives me pause. So essentially, it is to be a free-standing unit of shelves, around the perimeter of the room.

Additionally, I would rather not add 3.5 inches to each shelf opening, as that would add another 2+feet of height.

I suppose my way would be, to use 2-by lumber for the entire structure.

Going (roughly) 88" high, with free-standing shelves, sounds somewhat dangerous; as some women will be accessing these file-boxes.
I plan on adding necessary braces, where needed.

Thanks again,
sawbones

zircon

I've never done it but if I had the project I would consider building it like the cardboard dividers in a wine case except using the 3/4" ply. If you have one cell for each file box and it was glued together, it should be very strong.

gregzoll

If they are using Banker boxes, just make a set of shelves that uses 2x4 frames every four feet, and have the shelves sit on them. Easier and cheaper solution, would be to just get the wire racks that are used in restaurants for storage. You can get those at Sam's, Costco, etc.

sawbones

Thanks for the suggestions.
I'm gonna try a 2-by frame with plywood shelves; laying 2x4s flat, on which the ply will lay. Vertically, they'd be much stronger but, flat they'll handle the load. Thinking I could swing 1/2 inch ply, instead of 3/4, this way, as well.
Roughly 70 linear ft. of shelves spaced 11", eight ft. high.

Thanks again,
sawbones