Building a lumber rack is one of those projects that I just never seem to get to, so when General International introduced its Lumber Store lumber rack (No. 99-300) I jumped at the chance to try it out. Assembling the painted steel rack takes about 15 minutes with a cordless drill.

Sold in pairs, the racks are made from square steel tubing and have six levels. Each level is rated at 110 lb. (55 lb. per bracket). The manufacturer suggests spacing the supports between 4 ft. and 6 ft. apart. I kept them about 4 ft. apart to prevent my lumber from sagging and to line up with the wall studs. At that spacing, you’ll need another pair if you anticipate storing material longer than about 8 ft.

The rack, which sells for $56, is nothing fancy, but it works well and makes a great solution for woodworkers short of space and time.

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Veritas Wheel Marking Gauge

A wheel-type gauge is the easiest to use, and this wonderful Veritas model is a steal at $38.

Buy at Lee Valley

3M Blue Tape

One of the most versatile accessories to have in the shop: from layout to seaming veneer. It has enough stretch to pull joints together.

Buy at Amazon

Dividers

Incredibly useful for laying out, setting equal distances, and comparing measurements, these are an essential tool for any furniture maker.

Buy at Amazon