Some of you may remember the pipe shelf I built in the OPC workshop several months back. In the original article, I mentioned replacing the pine shelf with a piece of reclaimed wood. Well I inherited a few items from my grandfather, and I decided it was time to upgrade the shelf and show them off. I’m really pleased with the look and functionality of the pipe shelf so I wanted to share the update with all of you. Plus, these new pictures are much better.
Because I’m sure somebody will point it out, I’m aware that the flag is not folded properly. I wanted some stars and stripes in the picture so don’t think I’m un-American.
Pipe shelves are great because they are completely customizable to fit whatever shape and storage space you need. You can set up one or more shelves in any orientation. Plus, DIY centers will cut and thread pipe for you so you don’t even need any specialty tools. If you’re following along, here are the materials I purchased:
- 1/2″ x 5′ black iron pipe
- (4) 1/2″ elbows
- (2) 1/2″ couplers
- (2) 1/2″ floor flanges
- Various length pipe nipples
- 2 x 8 board
Jocie discovered a nonprofit in downtown Baltimore called Second Chance. It’s like a Habitat for Humanity ReStore with a lot more selection, and I love checking out all the reclaimed products. I purchased a “new” 2 x 8 from Second Chance to use for the shelf.
Pipe shelves are easy to make, and anyone can do it. I anchored my shelf to the wall with the floor flanges and dry-wall anchors. The actual shelf is sandwiched between a coupler and an elbow, locking it in place.
After I mapped out the location of the shelf, I drilled holes through the board with a 1″ spade bit.
Next, I put all the fittings together and finagled the shelf into place.
Here’s the shelf with a Westinghouse radio. In the background you can see a brace, square and a brick hammer.
I’m really pleased with how everything turned out. The shelf is strong, and the reclaimed wood provides some great character.
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January 15th, 2013 7:52 am
I’m always scared about using drywall anchors. They seem like it’s only a matter of time before they pull out of the wall leaving an ugly hole(s) behind. I think I’d try hitting a stud with two lag bolts on each side and maybe using the drywall anchors for the other two bolts each. Very cool idea. It makes your electrical conduit look intentional. The board will probably sag over time, so a tee in the middle with the branch upward would provide good support to keep the board from sagging (tees have the same offset dimension as elbows in threaded fittings).
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Ethan Reply:
January 15th, 2013 at 10:22 am
I feel pretty good about these anchors. My favorite are the zinc ones that can go into drywall or wood, and don’t require any pre-drilling. Those things are solid and are rated for 50 lbs.
Great tip about the tee!
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Rebecca Lynn Reply:
January 16th, 2013 at 1:42 pm
I feel the same way about drywall anchors- the previous owners of our house loved them and our walls are full of holes from where new hardware (for curtain rods, for example) doesn’t line up. I’ve been slowly ripping them out (or hammering them in), patching the gouges left behind, and rehanging stuff on studs.
I do, however, love your shelf! I can’t wait to find a place to build one in my house!
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jeff_williams Reply:
January 16th, 2013 at 2:05 pm
You’re right on about banging them in. Just take your 6″ mud knife and hit them with the butt of it. It’s then low enough to skim mud right over the top.
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January 15th, 2013 9:59 am
this wasnt what I expected (I was expecting standing shelves…) but it looks good.
I would suggest doing the long bit under the shelf and the two elbows first (and the nipples that pass through the board I guess), then you can just shove the board on and thread everything else on without a problem.
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Ethan Reply:
January 15th, 2013 at 10:24 am
Glad I can keep you guessing!
Thinking back, I probably could have built the entire shelf before inserting the drywall anchors, and that might have made it even easier to assemble.
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January 15th, 2013 10:54 am
It seems like a little overkill for a shelf, but it sure is badass. Fifty pounds, how does that compare to just putting some shelf brackets on studs.
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Joe Reply:
January 15th, 2013 at 1:47 pm
actually, thats a good point… how much would black iron pipe be rated to carry? I was thinking about making a tire rack out of it, but dont know if thats just a bad idea or not… I am sure it depends on the pipe diameter.
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Eric Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:42 pm
I have never done any calculation with ‘Black Pipe’ but I would assume it is not too far different than a standard schedule 40 pipe and as I can recount from home, at the top of my head, 1.5″ sch. 40 pipe (1.5″ is I.D and 1.9″ O.D) can span 4-0 with 50 plf with no problems in bending stress, but does have about 1.25″ of deflection at midspan. Again this is sch.40 pipe which is probably stronger (not stiffer!! and no comment on brittleness) than black pipe. I like the idea of a pipe tire rack! Good luck!
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January 15th, 2013 12:05 pm
That definitely looks great. I’ve always been wary of drywall anchors too…and doesn’t the weight of the shelf itself add a good amount of weight? But I suppose you could just add a support in the middle too and that would help.
Awesome idea Ethan!
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Ethan Reply:
January 15th, 2013 at 2:09 pm
Altogether it isn’t too heavy. The important thing is the weight is pulling downward (not outward). Drywall anchors work great unless they’re getting pulled out.
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January 15th, 2013 2:25 pm
Nice. I like that the hangers also serve as book ends.
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January 15th, 2013 7:47 pm
This is so cool Ethan. You did an awesome job.
We don’t have drywall in our garage, just cinderblock. So this look would be perfect.
With that said, I could see this being a great concept for anyone who likes an industrial look (me included)
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January 15th, 2013 11:14 pm
I love this look, especially for a garage/shop.
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January 16th, 2013 8:19 am
Nice job!
If you cant find a piece of reclaimed wood you could always do the Vinegar/Steel wool trick on it. I just refinished a dresser with this technique and was really impressed. If you haven’t ever heard what I’m talking about, you can make a stain to take any open pore type wood (non sealed is what I’m trying to say) and turn it into the color of your fence posts.
Take a pad of steel wool, the finer grade the better it will dissolve. Place that into a gallon of cheap vinegar and let it sit for a couple of days. Eventually the pad will dissolve and thats it. Grab a brush and slather it on… The iron solution reacts with the tannins in the wood and converts itself to a wonderful driftwood grey…
If you want to go darker – brew up some really strong black tea and paint that on first… It will infuse some more tannins into the wood in which to react with.
Just a thought.
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Ethan Reply:
January 16th, 2013 at 8:44 am
Danny,
Great suggestion! I dropped off a couple things at my local ReStore, but didn’t have time to look at their lumber. I might go this route instead. I can’t recall seeing you comment before so I just wanted to say thanks for reading, and I hope to see you around.
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January 16th, 2013 9:27 am
Thanks Ethan!
Long time lurker / Advocate
Been in the Marines the whole time – and consequently a great lack of space and reason to fix anything up. Someday!
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January 16th, 2013 9:41 am
When I first saw the post title I was hoping you were building a shelf for all your pipe clamps out of pipe. Looks good.
Can you post any details on pricing of the pipe? I’m building my pipe clamp collection soon.
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January 18th, 2013 10:49 am
This looks so cool!
We have a shed out back in which we are putting up drywall. Once we do that, I will put in one of these with the aide of my handy business partner.
Thanks for the project!
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January 19th, 2013 9:34 am
I like it! It’s a great industrial look for the workshop and looks like it would take a beating.
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April 22nd, 2013 9:44 am
So cool. And I love that you have these keepsakes from your grandfather in view. One question I have about the flag: will it deteriorate over time without a protective case?
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Ethan Reply:
April 22nd, 2013 at 10:28 am
Great question Carol, and the short answer is that I don’t know. I am pretty sure we need to get the flag cleaned or the dirt will keep wearing away at the material. Any suggestions where I can get that done? I’ll probably end up making a case when I figure out where to put it.
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April 22nd, 2013 12:00 pm
Great update! I remember the original, and this new look is really authentic. Now that you’ve caught the woodworking bug you’ll need to make a case to hold that flag! There was a good episode of Rough Cut with Tommy McDonald about one of those (not sure if you’ll be able to find it online though)
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April 22nd, 2013 1:33 pm
This Pipe Shelf would work well in a laundry room too. You could use the pipe running below as a hanger to use as a drying rack. Just by hanging clothes to dry on a hanger.
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jeff_williams Reply:
April 22nd, 2013 at 3:49 pm
That’s a great idea! If the plank went above the unions there would be enough room to get the hangers on the pipe. Then use a block of wood and a pipe strap below the middle of the plank to keep sag to a minimum.
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May 7th, 2013 10:51 pm
Ethan- I would think that a dry cleaner would be the safest way to have the flag cleaned. Really like the looks of the pipe shelf. It will be a nice place for remembering your grandfather.
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May 9th, 2013 2:19 am
HELP! We are wanting to build an entire wall of pipe shelving, but the problem is that I think we have lath and plaster walls so I can’t find studs anywhere. I just read your post about the stud finder so I may have to try that one.
If I can’t find studs in the wall I was thinking a couple of things….
anchoring studs to the outside of the wall using the corners of the wall. The corners should have studs, correct?
OR
using the ceiling and the floor to create tension/strength but will that be strong enough?
Will drywall anchors help??
Our wall is 10ft x 12 ft.
Please help! Anyone??
thank you sooo much!
Tumaini
newbie to OPC
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May 20th, 2013 10:59 am
I definitely like the idea of creating an industrial look with black pipe… I was hoping you were making more of storage racks with it, but nice nevertheless
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