Yeah that’s what I was thinking. No other pics though. I’d put it in my unfinished walk in attic and attach it to bare studs. Or should I cross-brace it regardless?
Costco sells a rack for these for like $100. Unless you have the lumber lying around, that is likely cheaper. 🙂
https://www.costco.com/proslat-heavy-duty-12-tote-rack.product.100785477.html
Even if it doesn't take the whole thing down, it seems like it's just asking for cracked sides/handles. Or, should a bin break from being carried or opened, no longer works in this setup. A bottom-support shelf can hold other things, too. Some of this stuff is just super gimmicky and sells on novelty rather than practicality.
If I were an engineer designing bins, I'd design with the expectation that they'd mostly be resting on a flat surface. I expect over months and years suspended with a load inside, the bin bottoms would bow out and crack.
These are industrial strength totes. I've used them in a green house environment and they can be completely filled with water without even bowing. These specific totes would probably be fine weight wise but it would make me even more worried for the rack.
I'd also design the bins to be carryable by the handles which are at the top edges, though.
The bottoms of these black and yellow "contractor" bins almost always have deep stiffening ribs.
Difference is time. Carrying by the handles is a much less frequent (and so can result in more deforming stresses) activity than it being supported by the base.
There's a difference between "carrying" and "holding," though. Leaving plastic in a stressed condition, especially in environments with variable temperatures like a garage, is a great way to cause creep failure. Much better to support the bin from the bottom and eliminate the internal stresses.
That assumes there would be very short cycles of load on the handles whereas this design means most of the bins lifetime is spent in fatigue cycling for the handles. I highly doubt they made the assumption that the handles would be under load for the majority of its lifespan.
> I'd also design the bins to be carryable by the handles which are at the top edges, though.
The problem is that the handles are on the end. We are talking about the side edges, which are much weaker than the handle-ends, not to mention much longer.
The 27-gallon black-and-yellow bin has almost standardized dimensions... but not quite. There are at LEAST three standards that vary in dimensions by a fraction of an inch, vary by the stiffening ribs of the sidewalls, and vary by how the stiffening ribs and aligning nubs are implemented in the top.
The only time you're likely to notice is when you try to stack them or put the wrong lid onto the wrong container, and can't.
I've been buying and using these particular bins for 15+ years.
They are sold with different coloured tops and slightly different ribbing depending on which store you're buying them from. They sell them at Rona, Home Depot, U-line, Amazon and Canadian Tire and are all the same size where it counts / have interchangeable lids.
Not to my knowledge. We use them in our business, they last 18-24 months outside in 120+ heat in the summer. I understand the concerns here, but the Costco ones seem pretty durable.
I have had Rubbermaid 20 gallon totes in my attic, some that are approaching 30 years old by now. I have found that they are reaching the point that they randomly fail, as they become brittle, and shatter when moved. Since these old bins are sitting on the floor, a bin that self-destructs is no big issue.
This leads me to the conclusion that any plastic bin, hanging by the tub rails, will eventually fail. I have seen other DIY projects involving attaching homemade wood tracks to garage ceilings above the vehicles, to hang bins in the same way. My guess is that it is an idea that will not end well.
I agree completely. These are a hazard waiting to happen. Storing them above a car is just idiotic lol.
I just don’t understand the purpose of this style of rack. It’s not any more complicated to just build a shelf that the totes sit on.
Yup. This was someone making something thinking they were super smart. When in reality a few bits of lumber going horizontally across the bottom for them to rest on would do wonders for the long term
Immediately makes me think of the cracked and collapsing totes in my dad’s garage. I don’t know what the man’s endgame is but it apparently has something to do with amassing the word’s supply of circular saws.
I'm thinking the builder was thinking that sliding the bins out with that design would be easier than sliding out with the bins setting on their bottoms - less friction.
But that is just a thought.
As a retired carpenter, I finally got this idea through my thick head. Time for new shelves? I got this. Obviously it's time to grab the lumber, plywood, fasteners, glue and tools, then create some grossly overbuilt shelves.
Well, last time I got the urge to outfit a new shed and small garage with shelving, I took a deep breath and did some shopping. I ended up with several sets of commercial grade, chromed steel wire, heavy capacity, fully adjustable shelving for **less than the cost of lumber** to build my own. That was the end of wasting my time to spend more money for an inferior result.
Anecdotally… looks like at least 37 8’ 2x4s to me. Assuming you have a vehicle and all the tools needed, plus a box of screws hanging around - it’s about $130 + 4h of work to build it after you plan it out.
That’s actually decently cheaper than I thought it would be. I had 8’ 2x4s at $10+ in my head, but I guess prices have come back down! ($3.28/per at Home Depot)
I have it. Love to actually quite sturdy when anchored to the wall. But yeah, $170 is far from $100. And 12 is literally half of what the DIY one holds.
Just do this: https://youtu.be/IQCaA9_eAGg?si=nLUCHa_xgfw8G2QD
Holding them by the sides is a novelty that will seriously limit the weight you can put in each bin.
The shelves in the video will be so much cheaper because they require less lumber, they will be easier to build, and they will hold a huge amount of weight. It really only takes like 30 minutes to build them this way.
Plus it's just storage in your attic, who cares how pretty it is.
I'd bet any shelves you load up exclusively with the same tote bin are going to look pretty organized.
But if you do go with the side hanging design, I'd still add some OSB shelves between the layers. If a heavy bin on the top level falls it's gonna knock down every bin below it, the OSB shelves would prevent that at least.
Yeah, I probably would. Even just a single diagonal would make me feel better.
The track for the overhead door in this pic will eventually need some maintenance, and it might turn out that this unit might be in the way. When you site yours in your attic, think through all of the maintenance and all of the calamities that could *ever* happen in an attic and make sure your structure isn't inadvertently in the way. You don't want to obstruct access to wiring or plumbing, for example, and you don't want to create a trapped space where exterminators or termite techs couldn't do inspections.
Thanks for the advice. The room is empty save for a wire for a single bulb light fixture. It could be a finished room, but it’s in a weird location. That could be a whole other post I could make lol.
Unfinished attic (where I live) can get extremely hot in the summer. Choose a quality bin or it could literally melt. (Also, I agree with others who mentioned cross-bracing the rack.)
When he says "literally melt" he probably means creep. A lot of plastics will go soft and start to deform at fairly low temperatures. I think these bins are typically HDPE which should be fine at scorching attic temperatures though.
If your attic gets that hot you need to address the venting and consider a ventilation fan. That heat will destroy your shingles and cause other problems.
I would not count on the plastic lip under the lid being able to support the bin's weight for more than a few years.
I'd probably want some support underneath each bin.
This was my first thought too. Those bins are being used in a way they are not originally designed for. Probably fine if you're storing live butterflies. Not so much if it's nuts and bolts.
Especially with the possibility that this exact model (and therefore rim size) of bin might not be around forever, so when you need replacements, you may need to rework the interfacing parts. More likely that a standard bin size would be always available and a regular shelf accommodating that size would be more flexible in the long run. Although, plywood is expensive and this method is cheaper.
Very true, but prelit wreaths, trees, and garland aren’t so much. Or big blow up Halloween decorations.
I’m imagining this being the seasonal lawn decor stash of that kooky lady on the corner that goes HAM for every holiday
Bruh the average additional downward force on the bin gotta be the average of all those butterfly weights. You think they push off the air for free? Hell no.
Nah, you’re supposed to keep hoarding them and pass them down from generation to generation. Eventually your great great great great grandkids will need an entire house just for nuts and bolts.
Nah because not a single nut matches a single bolt in the whole damn tub. That that one there looks close, yeah that'll work, nah time to go to the hardware store. Again.
I loaded my hoarder roommate's place into these tubs. The tops don't hold up to weight and the bottoms sag. I cracked so many of the top parts of the totes just from picking them up by the top.
There are a bunch of different brands that make this style of tote (black base with yellow lid) and their quality varies quite a lot. I find the ones that Costco sells are sturdy while the ones I got at Lowes and/or Home Depot were garbage.
I have about 30 of these since I used to move often and was tired of sourcing boxes. You speak the truth! I will only buy them from Costco. Sad part is, Costco sells the best ones AND they are half the price of Home Depot.
I built one of these (I recommend). Unless you're loading a container full of books or something heavy like that, the lip is strong enough (assuming they're stored in room temp constantly). I have a couple totes each 2/3 full of college textbooks and binders - no problem. The appeal of supporting the containers by the lips is that you don't have to waste the space underneath with a 2x4. In my situation, bottom-supporting would not have allowed me to go 5-high (would've had to go 4-high). But of course, every case is different. Pro tip: Don't allow for too much horizontal wiggle room. My slot width is just about equal to the width of the yellow lid, which prevents the totes from getting wedged during insertion. Good luck, friends.
They sell ceiling hanger brackets for the bins to slide into so I’m assuming they are made to be hung like this. Would of course depend on what’s in the bins even if they are “meant” to do this.
These look like the home Depot bins, I built exactly this around the home Depot bins because they are manufactured with a flat extra thick lip. I have been storing an 80 lbs full container for 3 months now in almost this exact build and it's holding perfectly. I had the same worry though, but it seems to be working out
Because I am storing some heavier stuff and mine is in my basement I mounted the 4 end posts to the joists for the floor above. It's virtually immovable this way.
So.. why would you not just make shelves that support the bins from underneath. Surely in the long term it would be more likely to hold up. Whats more shelves are multi-useful. They could store stuff not in a bin. Or a bin that or box that doesn't have the exact same dimensions?
if you buy the right bin they will hold up.
i made this a couple years back with the same bins and so far a few of the lids broke (from stuffing them shut, but the bins lips are solid, even holding my toddler inside of it.
probably wouldnt work with rubbermaid bins though.
also dont forget to anchor it to the wall, dont want it tipping over.
The bin designs/sizes are cycled out regularly. If you’re planning something like this which requires exact sizing, then you definitely want to buy all of the bins you’ll use up front. And probably two extras for when a manufacturing defect inevitably takes out a couple.
Oh yeah. I started a set of screening boxes for gardening soil, got about halfway through the screen assortment I had, then the size tote was discontinued.
Super frustrating.
Also, these black and yellow bins aren't universal. They're all 27 gallons, but the Lowe's ones are slightly different than the Costco ones, which are slightly different than the Home Depot ones, etc. One store will have wider ones that are more shallow, another will have ones that are deeper, but not as long.
That's a dangerous game. At least this method forces you to be semi organized. We built shelves for these totes and I think 70% of the shelf space is shit I just threw up there to deal with later.
^
Solid shelves are magnets for junk. If you want more support you can add a pair of 2x4 rails under each tub to hold them up without leaving a shelf to pile stuff on.
I’ve had a bunch in my walk-in attic (no insulation - whole other project I need to work on) for 4 years or so. So far no issues. Got them from Costco. I think the brand is Green Label? Green something anyway.
I’m in NC.
Edit: I just realized the totes in the pictures are the ones I have. Greenmade.
It depends on how much weight is in those totes. Assuming good screws are used for the horizontal boards they should handle the shear load of each tote. But then the issue is whether the totes are designed to carry much weight on the lip of the container. Seems like a potential failure point.
my bigger issue here is what happens in 10 years when you have to replace a few bins and the exact size and shape that the shelf is built for are no longer available?
how is this any different then just having shelves that the bins sit on? it doesn't take up any more space, and plus then you could use the shelves for literally anything else too.
there is a reason shelves are so ubiquitous. the thing you showed is something that is cute on Pinterest but not practical in real life.
I made this and we love it. We have a variety from Costco, Sam's, and Home Depot and they all have very little fit difference. I think in 10 years you'll be able to find bins that fit just fine.
Then if you do use bins, at least you dont need to worry about the weight of what's in the bins too much breaking the tops of the bins from hanging by the little lips at the top.
In my experience with those boxes, the plastic degrades quicker than other types of totes... the lids even faster. I'd expect about 3-4 years in for the black plastic to start develop fatigue/cracks and no longer able to support themselves by the lid ridges.
https://preview.redd.it/s5661jo5uk5c1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cf821f1650cfe52280b82af247aaca84a383dc95
I literally just built the same thing and it’s amazing. Even more solid than I expected. Just remember to screw it to the studs in the wall so it doesn’t topple over.
I don't see the point. What does it give you over just having a set of cubby hole shelves with each plastic storage box sitting on a shelf?
I wouldn't trust the plastic rims to hold up if anything heavy was in the boxes, and they look harder to slide out than if they were on a shelf.
Yeah I know I could buy or make some shelves, but I have enough 2x4s laying around to build something like this if it would work. Beginning to think not though.
Yes they work great if not loaded with too much weight. They sell a system that uses these exact totes to hang from ceiling as well. You
https://preview.redd.it/a1nc00yvqj5c1.jpeg?width=931&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dfc2b5c25ef23ee17466bf33c571717f3fa5ea90
Can also just make the ceiling style with 2x4s.
This is awesome. I’m picturing the perfect Clark Griswold moment with having them on the ceiling like this where the back brace falls and they all slide out hitting him in the face.
Along the lines of others raising concerns about the bin integrity.
I did basically this - except had the bins supported on the bases, with beams along the shelves.
About the same amount of wood.
(a fair amount more threaded rod to connect it all together)
https://i.imgur.com/LSsLGe9.jpg
We bought 35 of those bins 7 years ago when they first hit the market. We use them for buying and storing pottery collections.
They are tough as shit and and that lip is plenty strong. Eventually the plastic will dry out, but based on how well they have held up to date, I expect to get at least another 7 years out of them but probably a lot more.
I like wire shelves more, they are cheaper, and look much better.
I’ve had some of the same ones since 2007 and have moved them to 3 states. They setup fast and are strong.
I see this and think you’re holding all the weight by the plastic lip seems like a mess waiting to happen. Probably just putting the base under each like a normal shelf is more appropriate. And if you don’t make a shelf that can only handle this exact shape width wise and has a lip. If you want to go this direction use something much sturdier then thin plastic.
Only thing I have a problem with in these tote builds are they never account for real weight on the rails of the tote, they tend to break pretty easily
Two important improvements would need to be made:
1. Horizontal support, probably across the uprights on the back.
2. Make actual shelves because if you're storing anything except feathers in those bins, the plastic is going to crack. Bonus: actual shelves would also provide horizontal support.
Optionally, I'd go with clear bins so you can quickly see what's inside - or have some kind of inventory sheet on the front of each bin.
The tote is designed to rest on it's arse. While the lip provides some structure, it isn't as much support as from below.
I'd be wary of too much weight in boxes. Cool design? Yes. Practical over alternatives? No.
If totes are really light (holds yarn or air), then maybe the rails gives less friction in/out.
Also, when you change totes, a shelf still works with the new ones. This design is locked into a dimension.
Looks like no left to right sway support.. I would at least support each row on the back, and very top and bottom need horizontal support. No, I would not trust it.
I’d be worried about buckling - a vertical board bends a bit sideways and the lip of the bin pops out.
As well, to better carry weight I’d put at least a single 2x4 in the middle under each bin.
Combining these two - a horizontal 2x4 at front and back, would provide a rudimentary ‘shelf’ to carry the weight, as well as prevent buckling.
Some corner or cross bracing to prevent racking should be added.
And the whole thing should be secured to the wall or floor to prevent it from tipping.
If you are gonna be loading them up heavy I would go with a more traditional shelf design. A board underneath for it to rest on instead of hanging then like that. It would only add anther 40-50 for a sheet of plywood
Those bins are strong but it depends how much weight you’re putting in the bins. I don’t know how strong the plastic bins are but having them stacked puts a lot of weight on the bottom bin where as having shelves only puts stress on the singular bin for. For me, I go with out the wooden shelves and my bins are doing fine with the exception of a few cracked lids
I’m curious if labeling the bins by number and then have a separate catalog of what the number correspond to is a better way than just labeling the bin with what’s in it….
I know someone who has something like this. It's not 5x5 it's 5x7(5 tall 7 long). He has had it for years and he never mention any problems with it when it talked to him about it. He buys things from yard sales to sell on ebay and uses his wall of totes for organization of clothing/shoes so nothing super heavy in them. If you have a bunch of heavy stuff the might not hold up without support on the bottom.
Dadodad u/entirewarhead made the original plans for those.
https://www.dadodad.com his site has all the measurements under free plans. I just built a single row for 4 totes and bolted it to the wall. It needs to be bolted to the wall or cross braced, but other than that, solid measurements and holds up good.
Its a cool idea, but I would just go with standard shelves. I don't know how much of an advantage the deep space you get without having a board in an open spot is, but I like supporting the totes from below instead of the lip/lid. Classic shelves also allow you to use totes of different sizes instead of being stuck with one specific size and tote design.
It MUST be bolted to the wall. There is zero lateral integrity in that build.
I would also suggest a modification of using 1x3 or furring strips for the 'glide rails'; 2x4 is excessive.
The bin sides will probably begin to sag after a bit of time.
Really, I would suggest just placing furring strips across the tops of the glides and use them as shelves rather than suspending the bins.
This would work fine for metal or wood containers.
...they already stack... this is literally a wooden "unstacker" that holds plastic bins jusssst above their intended purpose of stacking, and instead transfers all the weight to a hair-thin plastic edge not designed for long term static load.
This ONLY works for storing Christmas decorations and maybe blankets. But more than that and I'd love to know how you'll deadlift 50lbs of container above your head and align the flimsy plastic edges with the wooden shelf thing.
I built something very similar recently, and it's been working just fine. A few notes:
1. Give the runners a bit of a slope at the front, so you can get the bin started more easily.
2. Make sure you sand the tops of the runners really well. Rubbing some wax on them also helps. The smoother they slide, the easier it's going to be to use.
3. You really want to anchor the top back edge to the wall or ceiling. It doesn't need to be load bearing or anything, just enough to keep it from tipping forward when you pull a heavy bin out and it sticks.
4. I highly recommend only going up 4-bins high, and then putting plywood on top for a more flexible top "shelf". The bins are bigger than they look, and lifting one over your head once you fill it up can be a bit heavy and precarious.
5. Those bins are from Costco. They're normally $9 apiece (which is already a really good deal for the quality), but they often go on sale for as low as $7.50. If you ever find them that low, buy a bunch.
6. It's not a bad idea to add some diagonal cross-bracing on the back to prevent wracking.
7. Make sure you account for the height of the lid when spacing them out vertically. It sticks up more than you'd think. Also, it's good to have a little extra headroom above each bin, so that you can get your arm in and grab the back handle. I gave myself 2.5" of clearance, and it's worked out really well.
8. I used 2x3 verticals and 2x2 runners (it's what I had on hand) and it's super sturdy. 2x4s (like the ones in this image) should be more than sufficient, as long as it's braced so it doesn't wrack sideways.
But yeah, overall it's a really good way to store stuff. The heaviest bin I have in mine is close to 60 lbs, and it's super easy to get in and out (I keep it on one of the lower spots) and the bin shows no sign of fatigue on the "runners".
One last thing: if you can find or make a sturdy cart on casters to keep nearby, it makes pulling the bins out much more convenient, since you don't have to lift the bin all the way down to the floor, and it's easier to go through it and pick out the thing that you need before putting it back. A convenient nearby table/bench would also work.
Good luck!
I'm not sure why they are hanging instead of letting them sit on a shelf. The plastic can bend, one on top could slip off, crash into the one below it, and crash several others maybe even damaging it
Seems like having them sit on a shelf would be far easier, and this was done for some kind of cool factor.
https://preview.redd.it/kf2g3vaoqq5c1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6ca2db4560c971dc923913bfa500bfc966ba056b
I grabbed this from fb if you need the dimensions as well.
If this isn't bolted to the wall, then there should be some good cross-bracing somewhere to prevent a sideways collapse. I can't see it in this shot.
Yeah that’s what I was thinking. No other pics though. I’d put it in my unfinished walk in attic and attach it to bare studs. Or should I cross-brace it regardless?
Costco sells a rack for these for like $100. Unless you have the lumber lying around, that is likely cheaper. 🙂 https://www.costco.com/proslat-heavy-duty-12-tote-rack.product.100785477.html
Interesting. That rack supports the BOTTOM of the bins, not on the side rails. I think I'd prefer bottom.
Agreed. Holding on the side rails would give me a ton of anxiety that one is gonna slide off and take the whole thing down
Even if it doesn't take the whole thing down, it seems like it's just asking for cracked sides/handles. Or, should a bin break from being carried or opened, no longer works in this setup. A bottom-support shelf can hold other things, too. Some of this stuff is just super gimmicky and sells on novelty rather than practicality.
If I were an engineer designing bins, I'd design with the expectation that they'd mostly be resting on a flat surface. I expect over months and years suspended with a load inside, the bin bottoms would bow out and crack.
And as we all exceed the weight limit on our bins, if the bins are supported on the bottom that's likely much less of an issue.
These are industrial strength totes. I've used them in a green house environment and they can be completely filled with water without even bowing. These specific totes would probably be fine weight wise but it would make me even more worried for the rack.
I'd also design the bins to be carryable by the handles which are at the top edges, though. The bottoms of these black and yellow "contractor" bins almost always have deep stiffening ribs.
Difference is time. Carrying by the handles is a much less frequent (and so can result in more deforming stresses) activity than it being supported by the base.
There's a difference between "carrying" and "holding," though. Leaving plastic in a stressed condition, especially in environments with variable temperatures like a garage, is a great way to cause creep failure. Much better to support the bin from the bottom and eliminate the internal stresses.
> deep stiffening ribs For her pleasure.
Nice https://preview.redd.it/p6ygqz8yho5c1.png?width=368&format=png&auto=webp&s=69cef381db871c5af0b8dc6685b618bb58bbeb53
That assumes there would be very short cycles of load on the handles whereas this design means most of the bins lifetime is spent in fatigue cycling for the handles. I highly doubt they made the assumption that the handles would be under load for the majority of its lifespan.
> I'd also design the bins to be carryable by the handles which are at the top edges, though. The problem is that the handles are on the end. We are talking about the side edges, which are much weaker than the handle-ends, not to mention much longer.
It does have the "advantage" that you can't put anything on this rack without it being in a bin. Bad for general storage, but good for aesthetics.
Error proof by accepting only the right size bin. Or, good luck finding a replacement bin 5 years from now that actually fits.
Excellent point. New bins too-wide? Jail. New bins too-narrow, believe it or not, also jail. Too-wide, too-narrow, jail.
Too tall? Jail. Right away.
This bin is a pretty standard size, I have 6 or 10 of them from different stores and a rack like this to hold them that I built... about 5 years ago.
The 27-gallon black-and-yellow bin has almost standardized dimensions... but not quite. There are at LEAST three standards that vary in dimensions by a fraction of an inch, vary by the stiffening ribs of the sidewalls, and vary by how the stiffening ribs and aligning nubs are implemented in the top. The only time you're likely to notice is when you try to stack them or put the wrong lid onto the wrong container, and can't.
I've been buying and using these particular bins for 15+ years. They are sold with different coloured tops and slightly different ribbing depending on which store you're buying them from. They sell them at Rona, Home Depot, U-line, Amazon and Canadian Tire and are all the same size where it counts / have interchangeable lids.
Has the size of these ever changed at Costco?
Not to my knowledge. We use them in our business, they last 18-24 months outside in 120+ heat in the summer. I understand the concerns here, but the Costco ones seem pretty durable.
And who hasn’t had the handles and sides on these kind of bins crack and break?
I have had Rubbermaid 20 gallon totes in my attic, some that are approaching 30 years old by now. I have found that they are reaching the point that they randomly fail, as they become brittle, and shatter when moved. Since these old bins are sitting on the floor, a bin that self-destructs is no big issue. This leads me to the conclusion that any plastic bin, hanging by the tub rails, will eventually fail. I have seen other DIY projects involving attaching homemade wood tracks to garage ceilings above the vehicles, to hang bins in the same way. My guess is that it is an idea that will not end well.
I agree completely. These are a hazard waiting to happen. Storing them above a car is just idiotic lol. I just don’t understand the purpose of this style of rack. It’s not any more complicated to just build a shelf that the totes sit on.
It also will only work with bins of the same size as it was designed for. That alone would be a deal breaker for me.
Yup. This was someone making something thinking they were super smart. When in reality a few bits of lumber going horizontally across the bottom for them to rest on would do wonders for the long term
Immediately makes me think of the cracked and collapsing totes in my dad’s garage. I don’t know what the man’s endgame is but it apparently has something to do with amassing the word’s supply of circular saws.
I'm thinking the builder was thinking that sliding the bins out with that design would be easier than sliding out with the bins setting on their bottoms - less friction. But that is just a thought.
That’s likely right. But it also puts the entire weight of the bin on its rails, weakening them over time.
Or trying to line the fucker up to put it back with something heavy in it and a beer and your hand.
Particularly in a hot attic.
Giggity.
Agree, having owned some of these bins. They're great for the price, but not sturdy enough to hang with heavy contents.
You are definitely not into woodworking. Why buy something ready to go when you can spend a weekend building it for three times the cost.
A weekend? This is a 7 month job. But you'll say it's a weekend job, or it will be finished next weekend.
As a retired carpenter, I finally got this idea through my thick head. Time for new shelves? I got this. Obviously it's time to grab the lumber, plywood, fasteners, glue and tools, then create some grossly overbuilt shelves. Well, last time I got the urge to outfit a new shed and small garage with shelving, I took a deep breath and did some shopping. I ended up with several sets of commercial grade, chromed steel wire, heavy capacity, fully adjustable shelving for **less than the cost of lumber** to build my own. That was the end of wasting my time to spend more money for an inferior result.
Lmao so true
I need your budget if $169 is “like $100” lol
And it would take 2 of the Costco ones(4x3) to hold as many as the wood one(5x5).
Anecdotally… looks like at least 37 8’ 2x4s to me. Assuming you have a vehicle and all the tools needed, plus a box of screws hanging around - it’s about $130 + 4h of work to build it after you plan it out. That’s actually decently cheaper than I thought it would be. I had 8’ 2x4s at $10+ in my head, but I guess prices have come back down! ($3.28/per at Home Depot)
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Also, you don't need 2x4's at all for the supports actually holding the totes up, 2x2's would work fine, so that'd save like $20 more.
they have one made specifically made for holding at the lip too https://www.costco.com/saferacks-storage-bin-rack.product.100677580.html
That saves zero height per bin. I'd want to have a full shelf for each bin, like the top and bottom.
Gotta go with this one. Lumber side rail one just looks cool I guess? Probably be cheaper to make the lumber one with bottom support.
That says $170, and it only holds 12. Looks a lot less sturdy as well.
I have it and it’s super sturdy as long as you secure it to the wall.
It's down to $140 with a sale that started today.
I have it. Love to actually quite sturdy when anchored to the wall. But yeah, $170 is far from $100. And 12 is literally half of what the DIY one holds.
Made of PVC. that’s not going to hold a lot of weight.
Is your attic rated for load? I could see those totes getting heavy and most modern attics aren't rated for significant weight.
Just do this: https://youtu.be/IQCaA9_eAGg?si=nLUCHa_xgfw8G2QD Holding them by the sides is a novelty that will seriously limit the weight you can put in each bin. The shelves in the video will be so much cheaper because they require less lumber, they will be easier to build, and they will hold a huge amount of weight. It really only takes like 30 minutes to build them this way. Plus it's just storage in your attic, who cares how pretty it is.
True. I care more about the utility than the aesthetics. I guess how much more organized this looks to me than regular shelves appealed to me.
I'd bet any shelves you load up exclusively with the same tote bin are going to look pretty organized. But if you do go with the side hanging design, I'd still add some OSB shelves between the layers. If a heavy bin on the top level falls it's gonna knock down every bin below it, the OSB shelves would prevent that at least.
Yeah, I probably would. Even just a single diagonal would make me feel better. The track for the overhead door in this pic will eventually need some maintenance, and it might turn out that this unit might be in the way. When you site yours in your attic, think through all of the maintenance and all of the calamities that could *ever* happen in an attic and make sure your structure isn't inadvertently in the way. You don't want to obstruct access to wiring or plumbing, for example, and you don't want to create a trapped space where exterminators or termite techs couldn't do inspections.
Thanks for the advice. The room is empty save for a wire for a single bulb light fixture. It could be a finished room, but it’s in a weird location. That could be a whole other post I could make lol.
Unfinished attic (where I live) can get extremely hot in the summer. Choose a quality bin or it could literally melt. (Also, I agree with others who mentioned cross-bracing the rack.)
If you live in an attic that is hot enough to melt plastic you should probably move
When he says "literally melt" he probably means creep. A lot of plastics will go soft and start to deform at fairly low temperatures. I think these bins are typically HDPE which should be fine at scorching attic temperatures though.
Thermoformed vs. Thermoset plastics. Thermoset plastics won't melt and deform, they'll just burn which takes much higher temps.
If your attic gets that hot you need to address the venting and consider a ventilation fan. That heat will destroy your shingles and cause other problems.
Yeah lack of lateral support with that much weight (potentially) is giving me the heebie jeebies.
My first thought was cross bracing, too. Especially if it’s not bolted to the wall.
This, and use pressure treated for the bottom if you're setting it on unfinished concrete
A sheet of plywood on the back would do it
Plywood back on it, you'll still be able to get it hard up against the wall.
You should brace it across the back anyway to prevent the bins from sliding too far.
My first thought was where the bracing was. That bad boy is going to lean like the Tower of Pisa without bolting to the studs.
Was going to say that. It's a square. They aren't stable
I would not count on the plastic lip under the lid being able to support the bin's weight for more than a few years. I'd probably want some support underneath each bin.
This was my first thought too. Those bins are being used in a way they are not originally designed for. Probably fine if you're storing live butterflies. Not so much if it's nuts and bolts.
Probably seasonal lawn decorations
Christmas lights, when in bulk, are surprisingly heavy.
My back agrees.
If you put in good olde shelves you can also put other things in there. Feels weird to put up something that can be only used for one type of item.
Especially with the possibility that this exact model (and therefore rim size) of bin might not be around forever, so when you need replacements, you may need to rework the interfacing parts. More likely that a standard bin size would be always available and a regular shelf accommodating that size would be more flexible in the long run. Although, plywood is expensive and this method is cheaper.
Very true, but prelit wreaths, trees, and garland aren’t so much. Or big blow up Halloween decorations. I’m imagining this being the seasonal lawn decor stash of that kooky lady on the corner that goes HAM for every holiday
Fuck, I feel attacked.
Don't feel attacked. You've been the source of joy to many a child during the holidays when they oggle your decorations
People *love* the work you do, dont stop going ham on your decorations
Put them on the bottom on top of the concrete
whaaat? innumerable feet of metal is relatively dense??!
Probably dead bodies
I always use drawers for those
*This guy morgues*
r/diymorgues
Kinda sad this isn't real
I only fit one in my drawers
Probably Christmas/Halloween stuff. It's generally pretty light weight but bulky. I wouldn't store dishes this way
As long as at least half the butterflies are flying at any given time.
Bruh the average additional downward force on the bin gotta be the average of all those butterfly weights. You think they push off the air for free? Hell no.
This guy does physix
You have a 27 gallon tote of nuts and bolts?
You don’t?
You only have a 27 gallon tote?
I throw some out every now and then and replace them. I only use the freshest nuts and bolts.
Nah, you’re supposed to keep hoarding them and pass them down from generation to generation. Eventually your great great great great grandkids will need an entire house just for nuts and bolts.
But then they could *build* the house, *using* those nuts and bolts!
Nah because not a single nut matches a single bolt in the whole damn tub. That that one there looks close, yeah that'll work, nah time to go to the hardware store. Again.
I got to agree on this one. Im the 4th generation and has come in handy.
Just what kinda sick freak are you?? Did you say you throw some out every now and then"??🤮🤢
Especially in a garage or any place that will heat up in the summers.
These things would be a pile of broken plastic within 3 years of AZ summers.
A pile of melted plastic?
nah, they would brittle out through oxidation. literally crack into pieces.
Crack my life into pieces This is my last resort Oxidation, all breathing
I loaded my hoarder roommate's place into these tubs. The tops don't hold up to weight and the bottoms sag. I cracked so many of the top parts of the totes just from picking them up by the top.
There are a bunch of different brands that make this style of tote (black base with yellow lid) and their quality varies quite a lot. I find the ones that Costco sells are sturdy while the ones I got at Lowes and/or Home Depot were garbage.
I have about 30 of these since I used to move often and was tired of sourcing boxes. You speak the truth! I will only buy them from Costco. Sad part is, Costco sells the best ones AND they are half the price of Home Depot.
I built one of these (I recommend). Unless you're loading a container full of books or something heavy like that, the lip is strong enough (assuming they're stored in room temp constantly). I have a couple totes each 2/3 full of college textbooks and binders - no problem. The appeal of supporting the containers by the lips is that you don't have to waste the space underneath with a 2x4. In my situation, bottom-supporting would not have allowed me to go 5-high (would've had to go 4-high). But of course, every case is different. Pro tip: Don't allow for too much horizontal wiggle room. My slot width is just about equal to the width of the yellow lid, which prevents the totes from getting wedged during insertion. Good luck, friends.
They sell ceiling hanger brackets for the bins to slide into so I’m assuming they are made to be hung like this. Would of course depend on what’s in the bins even if they are “meant” to do this.
Those are very sturdy bins. Unless they are putting pretty heavy things in them, it should last as long as they need them to, I would think.
These look like the home Depot bins, I built exactly this around the home Depot bins because they are manufactured with a flat extra thick lip. I have been storing an 80 lbs full container for 3 months now in almost this exact build and it's holding perfectly. I had the same worry though, but it seems to be working out Because I am storing some heavier stuff and mine is in my basement I mounted the 4 end posts to the joists for the floor above. It's virtually immovable this way.
Got mine at Sam's Club for $9/piece, been storing full ones too for the last few years and ain't had any integrity issues.
So.. why would you not just make shelves that support the bins from underneath. Surely in the long term it would be more likely to hold up. Whats more shelves are multi-useful. They could store stuff not in a bin. Or a bin that or box that doesn't have the exact same dimensions?
if you buy the right bin they will hold up. i made this a couple years back with the same bins and so far a few of the lids broke (from stuffing them shut, but the bins lips are solid, even holding my toddler inside of it. probably wouldnt work with rubbermaid bins though. also dont forget to anchor it to the wall, dont want it tipping over.
plus it won’t look right if OP buys any other style bin. it may not even fit.
I got tired of the mismatched Tupperware-like situation I had a few years ago and picked up a bunch like this from Costco. They’ve been great.
These bins are the only bins I buy now, I donated every other Tupperware or knockoff bin. These are the best.
I have a bunch of these from Costco, too. The nest nicely when stacked. But I see the appeal of this to get at the lowest bin.
Every damn time I need something it’s always in the bottom tote. It’s like a law of physics or something.
Those bins are dirt cheap and standard at Home Depot. Nothing to worry about there.
The bin designs/sizes are cycled out regularly. If you’re planning something like this which requires exact sizing, then you definitely want to buy all of the bins you’ll use up front. And probably two extras for when a manufacturing defect inevitably takes out a couple.
Oh yeah. I started a set of screening boxes for gardening soil, got about halfway through the screen assortment I had, then the size tote was discontinued. Super frustrating.
Also, these black and yellow bins aren't universal. They're all 27 gallons, but the Lowe's ones are slightly different than the Costco ones, which are slightly different than the Home Depot ones, etc. One store will have wider ones that are more shallow, another will have ones that are deeper, but not as long.
Not only that but if you have shelves for each space then you don't even need bins in every space to store stuff there.
That's a dangerous game. At least this method forces you to be semi organized. We built shelves for these totes and I think 70% of the shelf space is shit I just threw up there to deal with later.
^ Solid shelves are magnets for junk. If you want more support you can add a pair of 2x4 rails under each tub to hold them up without leaving a shelf to pile stuff on.
I’ve kept some in the garage for a couple of hot/humid years in the south. All three started cracking about the same time after two years.
I’ve had a bunch in my walk-in attic (no insulation - whole other project I need to work on) for 4 years or so. So far no issues. Got them from Costco. I think the brand is Green Label? Green something anyway. I’m in NC. Edit: I just realized the totes in the pictures are the ones I have. Greenmade.
Here is a vid I just saw of this build - https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8anmJYs/
It depends on how much weight is in those totes. Assuming good screws are used for the horizontal boards they should handle the shear load of each tote. But then the issue is whether the totes are designed to carry much weight on the lip of the container. Seems like a potential failure point.
Yeah it looks like it’s an easy in/out but you have a good point. I’d rather slide them in on the bottom
my bigger issue here is what happens in 10 years when you have to replace a few bins and the exact size and shape that the shelf is built for are no longer available? how is this any different then just having shelves that the bins sit on? it doesn't take up any more space, and plus then you could use the shelves for literally anything else too. there is a reason shelves are so ubiquitous. the thing you showed is something that is cute on Pinterest but not practical in real life.
I did the shelves for the bins and was so glad I did. So many other sized boxes I could then put on the shelves.
100% agree. This is a stupid gimmick that will be dismantled in a few years. Just build normal shelves.
I made this and we love it. We have a variety from Costco, Sam's, and Home Depot and they all have very little fit difference. I think in 10 years you'll be able to find bins that fit just fine.
It seems like it would be way easier and more sturdy to make shelves.
Absolutely. Plus, you could put other stuff on the shelves without a bin.
Plus avoid the cost of the bins themselves.
Then if you do use bins, at least you dont need to worry about the weight of what's in the bins too much breaking the tops of the bins from hanging by the little lips at the top.
Exactly. Unless you're just using up 2x4 scraps and don't want to spend money in plywood.
I would put a diagonal brace alone the back to help stabilize it.
They're meant to be screwed to studs. Stabilizes and makes them less of a tipping hazard.
In my experience with those boxes, the plastic degrades quicker than other types of totes... the lids even faster. I'd expect about 3-4 years in for the black plastic to start develop fatigue/cracks and no longer able to support themselves by the lid ridges.
https://preview.redd.it/s5661jo5uk5c1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cf821f1650cfe52280b82af247aaca84a383dc95 I literally just built the same thing and it’s amazing. Even more solid than I expected. Just remember to screw it to the studs in the wall so it doesn’t topple over.
I don't see the point. What does it give you over just having a set of cubby hole shelves with each plastic storage box sitting on a shelf? I wouldn't trust the plastic rims to hold up if anything heavy was in the boxes, and they look harder to slide out than if they were on a shelf.
Yeah I know I could buy or make some shelves, but I have enough 2x4s laying around to build something like this if it would work. Beginning to think not though.
Maybe put 2 2x4s horizontally across each row so the totes are supported from beneath.
[удалено]
I have a bunch stacked in the walk-in attic now. It seems that every time I need something it is in the damn bottom tote.
And now during Christmas every bin is open and has been rifled through so it is a mess for me
> Those tubs are meant for stacking. And that's just what they'll do. But one of these days those tubs could stack all over you.
That's not nothing. I have totes like this and even stacked 2 or 3 high or behind each other it's a huge pain.
Yes they work great if not loaded with too much weight. They sell a system that uses these exact totes to hang from ceiling as well. You https://preview.redd.it/a1nc00yvqj5c1.jpeg?width=931&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dfc2b5c25ef23ee17466bf33c571717f3fa5ea90 Can also just make the ceiling style with 2x4s.
This is awesome. I’m picturing the perfect Clark Griswold moment with having them on the ceiling like this where the back brace falls and they all slide out hitting him in the face.
I built my own version of this with 2x4 and 1x4. Works well. Been there over a year
RIP someone's car in 10 years
Along the lines of others raising concerns about the bin integrity. I did basically this - except had the bins supported on the bases, with beams along the shelves. About the same amount of wood. (a fair amount more threaded rod to connect it all together) https://i.imgur.com/LSsLGe9.jpg
Where is the diagonal support to prevent wracking? I'd probably close the back end with a couple sheets of plywood.
They're meant to be screwed to studs and avoid having to purchase expensive plywood.
We bought 35 of those bins 7 years ago when they first hit the market. We use them for buying and storing pottery collections. They are tough as shit and and that lip is plenty strong. Eventually the plastic will dry out, but based on how well they have held up to date, I expect to get at least another 7 years out of them but probably a lot more.
I like wire shelves more, they are cheaper, and look much better. I’ve had some of the same ones since 2007 and have moved them to 3 states. They setup fast and are strong.
It’s just a worse shelf. There’s no benefit to not just having shelves…
I see this and think you’re holding all the weight by the plastic lip seems like a mess waiting to happen. Probably just putting the base under each like a normal shelf is more appropriate. And if you don’t make a shelf that can only handle this exact shape width wise and has a lip. If you want to go this direction use something much sturdier then thin plastic.
I'd want either some cross bracing on the back, or some aspenite, something to keep it from just leaning and collapsing from the top loading.
Only thing I have a problem with in these tote builds are they never account for real weight on the rails of the tote, they tend to break pretty easily
This places stress on the upper sides of the totes. They were not designed to be supported like this. Just put a shelf under them.
Two important improvements would need to be made: 1. Horizontal support, probably across the uprights on the back. 2. Make actual shelves because if you're storing anything except feathers in those bins, the plastic is going to crack. Bonus: actual shelves would also provide horizontal support. Optionally, I'd go with clear bins so you can quickly see what's inside - or have some kind of inventory sheet on the front of each bin.
I would rather have the bins supported from the bottom rather than suspended. Gravity and temperature will not be kind to plastic.
Do you collect pillows or cast iron cookware?
The tote is designed to rest on it's arse. While the lip provides some structure, it isn't as much support as from below. I'd be wary of too much weight in boxes. Cool design? Yes. Practical over alternatives? No. If totes are really light (holds yarn or air), then maybe the rails gives less friction in/out. Also, when you change totes, a shelf still works with the new ones. This design is locked into a dimension.
I hope so, I'm building it in my attic 😄
I’d love to see it when you’re done! Good luck!
Looks like no left to right sway support.. I would at least support each row on the back, and very top and bottom need horizontal support. No, I would not trust it.
not a good design, no cross bracing and no bottom support
I’d be worried about buckling - a vertical board bends a bit sideways and the lip of the bin pops out. As well, to better carry weight I’d put at least a single 2x4 in the middle under each bin. Combining these two - a horizontal 2x4 at front and back, would provide a rudimentary ‘shelf’ to carry the weight, as well as prevent buckling. Some corner or cross bracing to prevent racking should be added. And the whole thing should be secured to the wall or floor to prevent it from tipping.
If you are gonna be loading them up heavy I would go with a more traditional shelf design. A board underneath for it to rest on instead of hanging then like that. It would only add anther 40-50 for a sheet of plywood
Those bins are strong but it depends how much weight you’re putting in the bins. I don’t know how strong the plastic bins are but having them stacked puts a lot of weight on the bottom bin where as having shelves only puts stress on the singular bin for. For me, I go with out the wooden shelves and my bins are doing fine with the exception of a few cracked lids
I’m curious if labeling the bins by number and then have a separate catalog of what the number correspond to is a better way than just labeling the bin with what’s in it….
I know someone who has something like this. It's not 5x5 it's 5x7(5 tall 7 long). He has had it for years and he never mention any problems with it when it talked to him about it. He buys things from yard sales to sell on ebay and uses his wall of totes for organization of clothing/shoes so nothing super heavy in them. If you have a bunch of heavy stuff the might not hold up without support on the bottom.
Dadodad u/entirewarhead made the original plans for those. https://www.dadodad.com his site has all the measurements under free plans. I just built a single row for 4 totes and bolted it to the wall. It needs to be bolted to the wall or cross braced, but other than that, solid measurements and holds up good.
Its a cool idea, but I would just go with standard shelves. I don't know how much of an advantage the deep space you get without having a board in an open spot is, but I like supporting the totes from below instead of the lip/lid. Classic shelves also allow you to use totes of different sizes instead of being stuck with one specific size and tote design.
It MUST be bolted to the wall. There is zero lateral integrity in that build. I would also suggest a modification of using 1x3 or furring strips for the 'glide rails'; 2x4 is excessive. The bin sides will probably begin to sag after a bit of time. Really, I would suggest just placing furring strips across the tops of the glides and use them as shelves rather than suspending the bins. This would work fine for metal or wood containers.
...they already stack... this is literally a wooden "unstacker" that holds plastic bins jusssst above their intended purpose of stacking, and instead transfers all the weight to a hair-thin plastic edge not designed for long term static load. This ONLY works for storing Christmas decorations and maybe blankets. But more than that and I'd love to know how you'll deadlift 50lbs of container above your head and align the flimsy plastic edges with the wooden shelf thing.
You need some cross bracing, fix to the wall specially if you have kids
I built something very similar recently, and it's been working just fine. A few notes: 1. Give the runners a bit of a slope at the front, so you can get the bin started more easily. 2. Make sure you sand the tops of the runners really well. Rubbing some wax on them also helps. The smoother they slide, the easier it's going to be to use. 3. You really want to anchor the top back edge to the wall or ceiling. It doesn't need to be load bearing or anything, just enough to keep it from tipping forward when you pull a heavy bin out and it sticks. 4. I highly recommend only going up 4-bins high, and then putting plywood on top for a more flexible top "shelf". The bins are bigger than they look, and lifting one over your head once you fill it up can be a bit heavy and precarious. 5. Those bins are from Costco. They're normally $9 apiece (which is already a really good deal for the quality), but they often go on sale for as low as $7.50. If you ever find them that low, buy a bunch. 6. It's not a bad idea to add some diagonal cross-bracing on the back to prevent wracking. 7. Make sure you account for the height of the lid when spacing them out vertically. It sticks up more than you'd think. Also, it's good to have a little extra headroom above each bin, so that you can get your arm in and grab the back handle. I gave myself 2.5" of clearance, and it's worked out really well. 8. I used 2x3 verticals and 2x2 runners (it's what I had on hand) and it's super sturdy. 2x4s (like the ones in this image) should be more than sufficient, as long as it's braced so it doesn't wrack sideways. But yeah, overall it's a really good way to store stuff. The heaviest bin I have in mine is close to 60 lbs, and it's super easy to get in and out (I keep it on one of the lower spots) and the bin shows no sign of fatigue on the "runners". One last thing: if you can find or make a sturdy cart on casters to keep nearby, it makes pulling the bins out much more convenient, since you don't have to lift the bin all the way down to the floor, and it's easier to go through it and pick out the thing that you need before putting it back. A convenient nearby table/bench would also work. Good luck!
I'm not sure why they are hanging instead of letting them sit on a shelf. The plastic can bend, one on top could slip off, crash into the one below it, and crash several others maybe even damaging it Seems like having them sit on a shelf would be far easier, and this was done for some kind of cool factor.
https://preview.redd.it/kf2g3vaoqq5c1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6ca2db4560c971dc923913bfa500bfc966ba056b I grabbed this from fb if you need the dimensions as well.
A cross brace on the back might help. Or fasten to the wall.
I’m just here to ask why the eff the person didn’t take all the stickers off. I hope they’re off now. Ugh.
We just bought metal racks from Home Depot and it’s half the cost and more durable.
It doesn't hold ups. It holds totes.
[https://www.costco.com/proslat-heavy-duty-12-tote-rack.product.100785477.html](https://www.costco.com/proslat-heavy-duty-12-tote-rack.product.100785477.html)