Solutions for Household Storage

(Page 4 of 4)

April/May 1997
By David Mukamal Camp 
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Finally, use a 1" Forstner bit to drill two shallow holes in the bottom end pad (G) as shown in the plans, and epoxy the heads of the leveling bolts in place (photo 9). Attach the upper end pad (G) to the top support (D) with a pair of 2" flat head wood screws. Cover the undersides of the end pads with cork (available at most hobby stores) adhered with double-sided carpet tape (photo 10).

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Putting It All Together

Measure the distance from floor to ceiling, and put together your bike rack using holes that will give you the necessary length, from top end pad to the bottom of the legs, minus 1 3/4" to 2 1/2". You'll make up this distance with the bottom end pad and leveling bolts. Assemble the top support (D) between the two spanners (C) using two 3" carriage bolts with washers, and wing nuts. Now fit this assembly between the main uprights and slip a 4 1/2" carriage bolt through at the bottom of the spanners. Place the legs between the uprights at the bottom and secure them with two 4 1/2" bolts.

Now attach two bike hooks near the top of the uprights with a pair of 6" carriage bolts, washers, and wing nuts. Prepare the bottom end pad by screwing the nuts all the way on, and fitting washers over the ends of the leveling bolts. Stand the bike rack up, placing the top against the ceiling, and fit the legs onto the leveling bolts. Position the bike rack plumb and raise the nuts on the leveling bolts to apply enough tension to snug the bike rack in place. You may need to put a thin piece of wood under the bottom pad to take up some slack. Position the remaining pair of bike hooks just high enough to get your bikes off the floor, and bolt them in place using 6" carriage bolts and putting the spacers (E) between the uprights.

You'll be surprised how steadily this rack will hold four bikes, and I'm sure that, like me, you have that extra space filled in no time.

Sources

The Woodworkers Store (800-2794441) carries the wheels and pulls for the under-the-bed boxes. For carpeted floors get the 2 1/2" diameter wheels (#13482); on hard floors you can use 2" wheels (#92007). I also used their white nylon pulls (#30460).

The carriage bolts, washers, wing nuts, and leveling bolts used in the bike rack are all standard items that can be found in any hardware store.

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