Tubing Gauge for Steel Shelves?

Chips O'Toole

H-M Supporter - Gold Member
H-M Supporter Gold Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2017
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Reality is intruding on my life, and I feel I need to get to work on my garage shelves. I was going to build workshop shelves like the ones Jamie Hyneman made from 1"-square tubing, but the garage is the big priority now, so I want to take the same approach there and let the workshop wait.

I don't want to overspend on steel. I want to use 11-gauge tubing for the upright tubes, since they seem most likely to be struck and bent, but I don't know if I need tubing that heavy for horizontal members. I'm planning to put vertical tubes 4 feet apart, and the shelves will be 18" deep with horizontal supporting members 4 feet apart. I suppose I'll use 3/4" plywood for the shelf surfaces.

So, can I get by with a lighter gauge for the horizontal members?
 
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