Crate Shelving

Objective: To create crate shelving unit within budget constraints

Goals: To build a sturdy shelving unit for minimal cost and Ms. Bee's satisfaction

Solution: Ms. Bee wanted to create a crate shelving unit for her grandson for storing books. She had found a picture on Pinterest, but was limited by budget constraints to purchase the crates and materials. She also was limited by her experience and lack of tools to construct to the project. She reached out to Ms. Ess, who is a Civil Engineer and an experienced woodworker. Ms. Ess sketched out a plan to minimize the cost of materials that would need to be purchased.

Make a sketch of the project

Create a materials list from the project sketch including a cut list of materials. Inventory tools required and if you need additional screws, nails, stain, etc that may also need to be purchased.

Purchase materials at your local Home Depot (or other store)

Home Depot has a 2 hour guarantee for purchasing online. Put your order in from your LaZBoy and head over after your 1-1/2 hour nap.

Cut materials to determined dimensions

Assemble first the exterior frame of the shelving unit. Used the kreg jig and screws for all exterior connections. Install all kreg jib screw covers.

Add the internal slats. Staring with the back first then the shelf slats. We used 18 brad, 1-1/4” nails and a nail gun.

Stain the final assembled product and if chosen, finish using wipe on poly, satin finish

This project could easily be customized to any size. Our project was 2 wide by 2 high.

We met our Objective and Goal. We did a cost comparison of our costs versus using pre-made crates. Our cost was $34 and using pre-made crates would have been around $77. The pre-made crates' slats are less sturdy than the 1" x 3" slats we used. Ms. Bee was very happy with the end results.

Lesson learned from our mistakes:

We changed our cut dimensions after we had purchased our materials, We still had enough materials, but we could have easily been going back to Home Depot again. Suggest that the exterior ‘box’ be made of solid wood, not slats When adding the internal and back slats suggest you take the time to make a spacer block for each. Install the back slats first and think about the nailing pattern prior to starting. Check your nail gun often to make sure you don’t run out of nails.