I wanted to build a storage solution for ideally 4 longboards measuring 9-10 feet each. I’m aiming for a self-standing horizontal rack made out of pipes. Problem is I’m hardly a handyman so I’m not sure what material of pipes to use or if this structure can even hold 4 longboards so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
What I had in mind was a simple L-shaped self standing structure with angled arms. The side view would look something like this (not to scale and angle of arms exaggerated):
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I’m thinking that the rack would measure 2-3 feet in depth, 4-5 feet tall, 7 feet wide, and each arm approx 2 feet long.
I would place the whole rack against a concrete wall. I figure with the angled arms, that will place pressuer against the wall preventing it from falling forward.
My concern is whether the arms will be strong enough to hold each board much less the base be strong enough to keep from toppling forward. I’m also wondering whether PVC would suffice or if I would need to go with copper/metal piping? Again, any advice would be greatly appreciated.
IIRC kensurf has a hanging rack in his garage, and chipfins has a standing rack that a friend made him. Maybe they'll post up - meantime if I can find pics I'll post 'em.
The concrete cinder blocks lining the far wall of my garage are only about 4-5 feet high so I’m wondering if I can use that hanging rack concept as well. Please do post photos if you find them. Thanks again!
theronin, I'd stay off the iron ideas, heavy, expensive, hard edges, hard to work with. Anything wood will be much more available and easier to work with. Wardrobe closet style round dowels are commonly used for racks. I've used 1x4" wood drywall screwed onto wall mounted 2x4's with good results. Inexpensive foam pipe insulation will make your rack padding.
What you have drawn is how I make my racks. I start off with two 2x4 lumber and drill holes about 10" apart at 20 degrees. I think I use a 1 1/4" spade drill bit. I insert 3/4" schedule 40 PVC conduit about 21" long and 25" long for SUP boards. The fit is really tight so I sand the PVC conduit and glue it in with Gorilla Glue. I place foam pipe installation over the PVC. I secure the 2x4's with lag bolts to the wall. It helps if you have a drill press to drill the 20 degree holes. These racks are super strong. I hold very large longboards, tandems and SUPs with these racks.
Here's what I did off the 2x4 studs in my storage shed. Caveman-simple but very strong.
A friend of mine mine did his off a concrete block wall by using a type of flanged cup that attaches to wall with 4 tap-cons. They're galvanized metal and threaded for pipe. Extremely strong and simple.
Thanks guys for the great ideas and especially the comments on avoiding copper pipes. I’d be stoked to pull off some of the stuff you guys have done. Unfortunately, I’m a total dolt when it comes to carpentry. I know what PVC is and I know what a 2x4 is but as far as lag bolts and flange cups … hmmmm.
But with the suggestions and ideas above, I’ve revised my stand-alone longboard rack to be constructed out of 2x4’s and look more like the following (2 board capacity as an example only):
Keeping in mind this is not about pretty or professional - it’s just about a more efficient way to store boards in my garage.
So each arm (a) will simply be nailed to a vertical running 2x4 (c). Short support arms (b) will be nailed to the vertical 2x4 and the arms - this will provide for additional strength and also serve to maintain somewhat of a consistent angle between the arm sets. The whole thing will be propped up by a rectangular base (d) also created by 2x4s. The base will also have it’s own supporting arms (e) likely to be a bit longer to add strength and keep the whole thing from kealing over - which would be bad since this whole thing have a car parked in front of it.
I have maybe 3-5 feet of area for the depth of this rack (maybe closer to 3 feet). I’m hoping to be able to store 4 longboards on this thing. So hopefully once all that math is worked out, hopefully the structural integrity is there in this design.
[edit] Oh and yes, I realize that when a board is rested on the arms, it may not rest flat on the arm depending on how I angle the arm supports and how far up the arm they connect. I don’t think this will be an issue especially if I wrap the whole arm and arm support in mad padding.
not sure if you’ve tried this, but my DIY method typically involves a visit to hardware stores to check out existing racking products, picking the ones with the simplest, most elegant space-saving solutions as well as ease of assembly, and then figuring out how to make my own with existing tools & materials to fit the space i have. more often than not it challenges me to find better, more customized solutions that the original products do not offer.
if i were in your shoes, i’d also be looking at other factors such as ease of moving/transferring the rack, ease of cleanup of what’s behind and/or underneath it, foldability, and lightness. there are actually ways of keeping racks light yet sturdy enough to bear very heavy loads by way of load transfer.
and instead of making fixed-position racks, i’d consider heavy-duty straps in their place, like seatbelt straps. the only thing you cover with foam would be the solid vertical parts.
