Need construction advice for huge shelf

[BarnyardChaos]

Yep, those are what you'd use instead of ferrules. I just suggested the chain since it seems many people who post questions here are on a tighter budget. Good luck with the project.

I may switch to chain if I suffer sticker shock!

 

[perkolator]

Good job. Do those 4 fridges all power off that single outlet?

 

[BarnyardChaos]

I'd imagine at that span it's going to sag without a support in the middle. Ideally I think you'd add additional cross supports to help support the shelf, but that will add to the weight. Can you take a support upwards to a ceiling joist?

What are the walls made of - stud / plasterboard or brick? And is that a window behind the fridges?

I was thinking to add a third 2x4x12' across the span, in the center.
I don't know about a ceiling joist, that's a thought - though (sigh) I really really really hate drywall work, and I'd have to cut a section out to attach it. I might be able to add vertical support board between the middle two freezers, or a 3/4" black pipe if it's just too much of a squeeze.
Walls are wood studs with lath and plaster. Ick. But I can work with that since all I have to do is locate studs and drill through. It's one reason I suggested corner supports.
Yes, that's a window behind the freezers. It will be going away when we put new siding on the house in a year or two. For now, I plan to remove the molding and just cover it with a cellular shade.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

You wouldn’t have to cut any drywall to attach the shelf to the ceiling. Suspend it with threaded rod.

I hadn't thought of that option. It would require an attic rat (my grandson maybe) to crawl up there and nail a support board across a couple of joists, to attach the allthread to. Would that work?

 

[BarnyardChaos]

More info: The combined width of all the appliances is 127". The space is 132", so that leaves 5" wiggle room. Manufacturers say minimum side clearance is 1/2", but with freezer next to freezer, I believe I'd have to double that to 1" between freezers to prevent overheating. So there you have it. I have no room for vertical supports except to go through the ceiling. Might convince my son to help.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

thank you both @woodworm and @Captain13 for your help!

 

[Captain13]

If I were up there, I’d give you a hand. You may want to buy some small turnbuckles to use when you attach the wire or chain to your shelves. You turn the turnbuckle center to increase or decrease the wire length so you can level the shelf.

They look like this:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/National-H...num-Steel-Hook-And-Hook-Turnbuckle/1000390667

 

[perkolator]

Yep, those are what you'd use instead of ferrules. I just suggested the chain since it seems many people who post questions here are on a tighter budget. Good luck with the project.

 

[Captain13]

the shelf is DONE and ready for storage. As promised, here's some photos of the process:

The framework going up and eye bolt lag screws in place. I was surprised to find the ceiling is just lath and plaster, too - and that the joists run parallel to the shelf, not perpendicular. So by adding two screw/cable supports, at least the weight is divided and supported nearer both ends of the same joist instead of all in the middle. They are evenly spaced 45" from walls and 45" apart. If I were unsure about it (I'm not), I could add another steel cable to each one, angled back to the next joist:
View attachment 3664712


I located and marked all of the studs, and used cabinet screws for extra security:
View attachment 3664715

I opted to use joist hangers for the front support board, because the end supports would have had only one stud in the middle and in the back corners to support them. To make them long enough to reach the front studs, I had to put the front support board in-between them:
View attachment 3664719


Cut out a piece of molding from both sides of the window:
View attachment 3664723

Steel cables are in place. Marks and holes in the ceiling are to measure and be certain I was drilling into the center of the joist. I probed to find both sides of the joist, then marked the center to drill. Those eye screws are 4-1/2" long. I tightened the cables by wedging a 2x4 underneath to push the front support board up a bit. Covered the ends in duct tape to match, and voila. Shelf boards laid, and a 1x6 face board added for appearance. I left just 1/4" lip above the shelf, to prevent things rolling off but not so much that it would make it hard to pull things down:
View attachment 3664730


Couple of 2x4 spacers to support the face board:
View attachment 3664751

Some hole patching, primer and paint --- and it's DONE!
View attachment 3664753

I forgot to patch and paint *before* installing shelf boards. Oops. Oh well, it won't be seen anyway and I can do it (with some acrobatics) later when we paint the rest of the room:
View attachment 3664760

View attachment 3664755

And yes, that shelf is perfectly level and plumb to the magnetic axis of the earth, if not to the ceiling and floors (both noticeably UNlevel).
View attachment 3664756

And just in case you're wondering, we have another freezer for chicken, fish, wild game and other miscellaneous - against the right hand wall. That refrigerator on the left is for eggs and beverages.
Looks pretty good, if I do say so myself!

Great job. You are the bomb. Glad you figured it out. Great pics, too.

 

[woodworm]

Great job - hope those freezers are on wheels!