Screwing a Heavy Load

TARider

Well-Known Member
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Aug 7, 2011
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Concord
Well, not that kind of load, but I'm building some wall shelves out of galvanized pipe and teak wood similar to the below picture. It'll be pretty hefty so want to make sure it doesn't come crashing down.
2 shelves 12 inches wide and 42 inches long. The pipe supports will be at each wall stud so 3 of those.
Each flange has 2 screws in the stud so there would be 12 2" cabinet screws in my current plan.
So, think that's sufficient or is there a different kind of screw to look for?

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1440357746.340488.jpg
 
Is the front vertical pipe going all the way to floor? If so you're splitting the load weight in half and the wall mount load isn't as much as a suspended shelf.

That being said, if you have 1/2-3/4" of drywall and 1/4" of flange you're getting 1"-1.25" of each screw into the stud...x12.

I think you're sufficient, but 3" would be better[emoji38]
 
fordwheelinman said:
Predrilled to keep from splitting the studs.
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This. PreDrill ! I know from years of hanging TV's, nothing makes a 2x4 weaker than just slamming a screw into it and splitting it. Plus it keeps the screw from stepping out of the side of the 2x4 if you are not centered.
 
Thanks, I wouldn't have pre-drilled but will now.
There is no support/legs to the floor, just hanging on the wall. Basically a 2 shelf version of the above picture.
I have plenty of longer deck screws around from a past project. I thought those were more susceptible to snapping from a vertical load though?
 
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If the posts don't go to the floor, you will need much more support. Trust me, I've had 8+ hours of work on to some garage shelving and after loading it down the next day, it all ripped off the wall. I mean, 100% of it. Every bit and even ripped numerous holes in the wall.

I now have 2x4s screwed into studs with 1/2" plywood and even supports going to the ceiling joists. It is now strong enough to support me (245lbs).

I learned that you need to do it right or there will be dire consequences.

Here is what I put in several years ago. They wrap around the garage and even over the garage door.
image.jpg
 
rockcity said:
If the posts don't go to the floor, you will need much more support. Trust me, I've had 8+ hours of work on to some garage shelving and after loading it down the next day, it all ripped off the wall. I mean, 100% of it. Every bit and even ripped numerous holes in the wall.
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That's what I want to avoid. Here's a better pic of what I want to do except with only 2 shelves and an extra support pipe in the middle.
I won't have much on it (couple motorcycle helmets and some pics and such. Those teak boards are the heavy part.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1440368419.949560.jpg
 
If you don't put much on it, at least bump up the screw size to something like 1/4" lag or something with some substance.

Beyond that, you should be fine with the 3 shelves. If you go down to 2, it's likely you'll need more support somewhere.
 
rockcity said:
If you don't put much on it, at least bump up the screw size to something like 1/4" lag or something with some substance.

Beyond that, you should be fine with the 3 shelves. If you go down to 2, it's likely you'll need more support somewhere.
Click to expand...

X2 I would just go with some wood lags with a 7/16 head. Easier to run in and they grab like hell
 
It should be easy to get enough strength for the shelves and light items.
Use a quality screw like a decking screw and get something of a decent size, although pullout will be the most important part. 12 screws with proper thread should be able to support a pretty large amount of weight, especially with decent load distribution from the pipe frame. If the shelves aren't very deep, the screws will be mostly in shear if I'm thinking about this right, depending on the shelf spacing.

Don't ever use drywall screws like mentioned above. They're not structural and are very weak.
 
Thanks all. I think I'll try those fancy FastenMaster wood screws. Supposedly a stronger shear rating than a 3/8 lag bolt.
I'll be sure to post "fail" pics if it all comes down.
 
Rule of thumb on things like this, it never hurts to go a little overkill. You'll sleep better at night
 
I used the stamped steel shelf brackets, you know the cheap ones. They use 3 screws each and I put 3 brackets under a 4' shelf. 9 screws into the wall. It holds a lot more weight than you're talking about. I wouldn't he's tirade to put 5 or 6 full gallon paint cans on them.
 
mbalbritton said:
I wouldn't he's tirade to put 5 or 6 full gallon paint cans on them.
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this is a great autocorrect error, took me a little bit to figure out
 
Spider drive.

Add that to the torx/square discussion
 
fordwheelinman said:
WTF is spider drive? Never heard of it, but it looks like a torx plus with deeper splines.
Click to expand...

It's a marketer's dream. "Hey, let's come up with a proprietary head so we can make more on that too!"

Helps justify the pricing. "It's got to be good, you can't even use a regular bit".

1 is $1.24
12 are .96 each ($11.46)
50 are .38 each ($18.97)
500 are .25 each ($124.25)
 
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