How to Stabilize Adjustable Wall Shelves

Single rail adjustable shelving is one of the cheapest options for shelving out on the market.  But if you’ve ever used single rail shelves you may have been less than impressed by the less than sturdy nature of the shelves once placed on top of the brackets.  

We’ve had a module of this shelving in our basement for almost 10 years and the brackets were always wobbling from left to right making it seem like the shelves were going to fall off the brackets at any given time.

As we remodeled the basement, we almost decided to just put these out on the curb for the recyclers.

We’re trying to save every dime we can on the basement update, so we really didn’t want to buy newer, more expensive shelving.

That is when Ken said that he had an idea for how to make the adjustable shelves more sturdy.

I said, “go for it…paleeeez!!”

Basically what he did was rip two small grooves into the underside of the shelving pieces, and it ended up working like a charm.

Supplies he used:

Table saw

Measuring tape

Pencil

How to stabilize adjustable wall shelves

First thing he did was set his table saw up with the blade height cutting adjustment set at about 1/16 inch (or about 2 cm).

Next he measured the shelf board, found the center and marked the center with pencil.

Next he measured the distance between the two brackets at the back of the bracket (the part nearest the wall).

Then he centered that measurement onto the shelf board and made pencil marks on both ends of the shelf board where the brackets would line up.

Using the table saw he adjusted the rip fence so that the blade would line up with the pencil mark.

He ran the shelf piece through the saw, ripping a groove in the bottom of the shelf for both the left and right side.  

Note: make sure to keep the edge of the shelf board flush against the rip fence the entire time.

He put the shelf back on the brackets and guided the brackets into the grooves, and that was all it took.

Note:  If track rails are not perfectly straight up and down, make sure to remeasure each set of brackets.

When we put all of the boxes, buckets, tools and other supplies back up on these shelves, it was amazing to see how much sturdier all of the shelves were.  No more wiggling, no more wobbling, NONE.  The shelves stayed right in place and I felt much more confident loading them up with power tools and such.

We used the laminate shelf boards that are typically sold in unison with the single or euro rail type adjustable shelving systems, but I would think something like plywood wood work really well, too!

I’m so glad we gave this diy a try.  I can see using more of this shelving in our future because when it all comes down to it, the price can’t be beat.

 Here is all the stuff (on the floor) that we had stored in my son’s room (minus the laundry, vacuum and that board on the floor).

Here is how it has all fit back where it belongs on those shelves.

And although we have quite a ways to go with the organizing, I’m thinking it looks much better now, not to mention I’m feeling much better now.  Wouldn’t you be too???

Ugh, I hate clutter!!!

See more on the basement update, here

Have a great week ~ Amy