Built a custom shelf unit for my shed and it collapsed within a week

I spent last Saturday (like, 6 hours in the morning sun) building this fancy shelving unit for my backyard shed out of pressure treated pine. Thought I was being clever by using those metal brackets from the hardware store and some old 2x4s I had sitting around. Got everything organized, bins of gardening stuff up top, tools on the middle, even my extra pots on the bottom. Went out the next Wednesday to grab my leaf blower and the whole thing just gave way. Splintered wood everywhere, a cracked planter, and my pruners bent under the weight. I think the brackets were too small for the load, or I just drilled into a weak spot. Has anyone else had a shelf collapse on them, or am I the only one who overestimates what my crap can hold?

3 comments

3 Comments

alicer536d agoTop Commenter

Well I used to think any bracket would do the job but now I know better!

wilson.olivia6d ago

Nah, @alicer53, honestly I think the cheapest one works just fine for most people...

hugotaylor5d ago

Yeah fair enough, that thread changed my mind too. What made you switch?