Minnesota Clay Co. USA Technical Info
- Do-it-yourself Ware Rack |
Materials needed for illustrated design:
8 Lengths 2"X4"X6' or 8' lumber.
5 lengths 1/2" diameter (6' or 8' long) electrical conduit (for ware
board supports).
About 25 2" long wood screws |
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Tools needed:
Wood Saw
Hacksaw with metal cutting blade
Drill with 1/2" hole saw blade. |
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Background
I am your typical basement potter. In other words: I don't have a
surplus of space and it doesn't take very many pots to turn my area
into a disorganized mess! Several years ago, when I began to
participate in craft fairs, I decided that the volume of ware
required that I get a ware rack. Because my area is fairly small, I
decided I really didn't need a rack with wheels, I just needed a
place to store 15 or more boards full of bisque ware and green ware.
This is not a sophisticated design, it uses common tools and
materials. I am not a carpenter either (most of my home-made stuff
looks as if Our Gang built it!) and there are many improvements that
could made by a modestly talented individual. I first saw electrical
conduit as ware board supports in damp booths used by a production
pottery I worked in during the 1980's. Conduit works well, it
supports a fair amount of weight without sagging, and the curved
metal allows for ware boards to be slid in and withdrawn from the
rack easily.
The dimensions of the rack and the spacing between the conduit can
and should be altered to suit your work. I tend to make a lot of
mugs, bowls and very few tall items, so I settled on 12" spacing
between layers. Most items I make are not taller than 8", so when
one accounts for the 1/2" to 3/4" thickness of the ware board, I
still have at least a 3" clearance above my tallest item between
shelf layers. |
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| The Design |
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Cut wood to length, in this case, four pieces 6' long, four pieces 28"
long, and four pieces 33" long.
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Cut 1/2" conduit to 36" lengths with a hacksaw.
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Assemble the rectangular base frame using two 28" and two 33" pieces
of lumber. Use at least three wood screws to fasten each joint.
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Assemble the rectangular top frame using two 28" and two 33" pieces of
lumber. Use at least three wood screws per joint.
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Attach the 72" uprights to the base and top frames using wood, this
assembly is best completed with the frame on its side.
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Mark the 72" uprights every 12" from the base upward. Center the drill
on these marks using the 1/2" hole drill bit. See image below.
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Insert conduit through half inch holes in the uprights, it should be a
tight fit. I didn't use cotter pins to hold the conduit in place-
but if the conduit is loose, you may want to add pins.
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Below: detail of conduit through the upright.
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Once the ware board supports are in, the structure should be very
stable. Cross braces connecting the front and rear uprights can be added
if your rack is unstable. Four castors could also be added to the bottom
frame if you want your rack to be portable. |
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