Van Shelves Out Of Luan

72chevy4x4

for past vehicles I've made solid aluminum (plank) shelving but can't find the same materials and have a lot of shelves to construct (08 Sprinter 170" ). I'm making shelf framing out of aluminum but considering glueing two layers of luan for added strength. Not a lot of weight-just tools, tool boxes and the sort. I'll use aluminum bracing every 2-3' under the shelf for structural stability. has anyone tried one/two layers of luan? birch/ply would be nice, but with 88LF of shelves, that could get real expensive. was hoping to stay away from 1/2" ply b/c of the weight (5 1/2 sheets!)

any other good ideas would be welcomed.

SC sawdaddy

You are correct about the weight. I'm in the experimental stage now putting shelves in my new(er) van. I've pulled them out 3 times already because I keep trying to improve on them. I considered mounting a 3'x4' bolt bin for supplies but scratched it because of the weight factor.

If the guy thats going to do the lettering will get on the ball and get started, I can make the tool transfer from old raggley Dodge to new Dodge with payments and stop thinking about it.

I like the dbl luan idea. It will be slick though. May want to think about some rubber mats to keep tools from sliding around while driving.
I ended up making mine from 3/8 ply on 2x4 a frame.
Rubber mats were not in my budget, I put 3/4 x 3/4 divider strips every 10-12".

I also considered coating the shelves with some type of slip resistant...stuff.
Cool seal might work?

WarnerConstInc.

Use aluminum expanded metal. Or just regular steel expanded metal.

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72chevy4x4

lsat set of shelves I glued down cheap automotive carpet (the kind you get on a roll from auto part store) on the shelf. It soaks up oil, is easily vacuumed and keeps stuff from sliding. I used the 3M adhesive in a can and lightly misted carpet-has not pulled up in 2yrs.

TBFGhost

3/4" 7 ply birch plywood is $37 at Home Depot around here....Not sure what the 1/2" price is but I would look into it, it might not be too much....

stp57

You get what you pay for. Luan de-laminates easily. It won't hold up like the birch. I made the shelves for my Sprinter from 3/4 sheathing with 1x2 pine facing. Cheap & has held up well for almost 3 yrs.
http://www.contractortalk.com/f41/sh...ess-lwb-55906/
Steve

MALCO.New.York

Ozite!


http://www.ozite.com/


Do NOT use ANY other brand if you wish the carpet to stay set!!! (you MUST spray BOTH surfaces!!!)


8080

http://www.rochfordsupply.com/produc...?path=0210.jpg



or



90

http://images.smarter.com/300x300x15/40/36/566836.jpg



Neither is Inexpensive!!!

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nEighter

let them slightly tack up before putting them together, AND you better have it where you want it.. no pulling the 2 apart after setting them together...

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72chevy4x4

I carry a can of this adhesive on the truck-very convenient for fixing counter top ends that are popping off and other odd uses-not used often but very glad to have it when needed.