My attempt at a vertical shed shelf turned into a tower of chaos

I decided last Saturday to build a tall metal shelf system for my 8x10 shed in Boise, thinking I could stack all my paint cans and garden tools up high. Well, I miscalculated the weight on the second shelf and the whole thing tipped over, sending three half-full cans of latex paint crashing onto my lawn mower. Cleaned it up with kitty litter, but now I'm wondering if anyone has found a sturdy wall-mounted rack that actually holds up without drilling into every stud?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_alex10d ago

Studios are studs for a reason, man. No shortcuts with heavy cans.

wren_mitchell10d ago

tower of chaos" is honestly the perfect name for what you described. I get the frustration but I think the issue isn't the shelf itself, it's trying to cram paint cans and heavy stuff on a tall freestanding unit in a small shed. I mounted a heavy duty wire shelf from Home Depot into just two studs on the wall and it holds my five gallon buckets fine. You gotta screw into the studs though, there's no magic trick around that. Drywall anchors with heavy paint cans is just asking for round two of latex explosion. Spend the hour finding the studs, your lawn mower will thank you.

thomasgonzalez10d ago

Ah man, tower of chaos is gold. I'd name my shed that if I could. But yeah, wren is totally right about the studs thing. I tried those heavy duty drywall anchors once for a shelf of canned goods in my pantry and it ripped right out after a week. Just find the studs, it's boring but it works. Your lawn mower's been through enough already.