Wooden shelving is beneficial in any room, garage or basement. Many thin metal shelving units buckle under heavy loads of books, cleaning supplies or tools. Sturdier metal shelving units are expensive. Sturdy wooden shelving units bear up under heavy loads, are relatively inexpensive compared to metal units and never rust. With lumber and hardware easily obtained (and usually cut to length for free) from your local supplier, anyone can build a shelving unit that will provide reliable storage space for years to come.
InstructionsThings You'll Need:
6 Pieces 36-inch long 2-by-4
4 Pieces 39½-inch long 2-by-4
9 Pieces 21-inch long 2-by-4
6 Pieces 17-inch long 2-by-4
3 Pieces 1-inch Plywood 3-feet by 2-feet long
Carpenter's Square
L-Square Ruler
Pencil
1 Box (100) #9 2 1/2-inch Galvanized Countersunk Wood Screws
Drill
1/8-inch Drill Bit
Phillips Screw Bit
Hand Saw or Electric Circular Saw
The Steps
Step 1Mark all six 36-inch 2-by-4s ¾ of an inch and 2¼ inches in from both ends (along the wide edge) and at the center of each board. Drill two 1/8-inch pilot holes at each of these spots, staggering one higher, one lower/one to the left, and one to the right of your marks.

Step 2Place two 36-inch 2-by-4s parallel to each other on the floor, narrow edge up. Stagger three 21-inch 2-by-4s between the 36-inch sections, 1½ inches in from either end, and one in the middle, their narrow edges also up. Line up the pilot holes you drilled with the ends of the 21-inch sections. Square the boards with your L-square, and secure them together with #9 wood screws. Secure all connections tightly, driving the screws in until their heads are flush with the wood. This unit is your base.

Step 3Mark all four corners of the two plywood pieces 1½ inches in from the ends, and 3½ inches in from the front and back. Using your carpenter's square, draw lines inward from the edges to your marks, forming small rectangles. Cut out these rectangles with your saw, taking care not to cut past your marks. Leave the third plywood piece uncut.

Step 4Place one of the plywood pieces on your base. Drill pilot holes ¾ of an inch in from the edge (four along the front and back, and two along each side), and screw the plywood to the base. Repeat this procedure, assembling two more bases and attaching their tops.

Step 5Mark all of the 39½-inch 2-by-4s ¾ of an inch in from the ends (centered on the wide edge of the board), and also in the center. Drill single pilot holes at each mark.

Step 6Drive screws into one end hole and the center hole of one of the 39½-inch 2-by-4s. Tip the two bases with cut--out plywood corners up onto their long sides. Snug the 2-by-4 into the cutouts (its wide edge against the short side of the base. Line up the bottom of the 2-by-4 with the bottom of the base, and drive in the bottom screw. Line up the middle screw with the center of the middle base, and drive it in. Repeat this procedure at the other three corners, and flip the unit flat onto the lower base.

Step 7Place the third base on top of the unit (the plywood's corners will sit on top of the upright 2-by-4s). Secure the top by driving screws through the third holes in the uprights. Drill a single pilot holes through each plywood corner, into the top of the upright, and secure with a screw.

Step 8Flip the unit onto its back. Finish securing the uprights by driving screws into the remaining pilot holes at the ends of the 36-inch 2-by-4s. Flip the unit upright and your job is complete.