Feat: Attic Storage Shelves

[nelsonic]

As agreed in: #220 building the Attic Storage Shelves
are a "keystone" to de-cluttering/tidying/organising the house. 🏡
So that's what I'm focussing on for the next couple of days. ⏳
I'm going to follow a similar design to the Library Bookshelves: #179 (comment) 📚
Going to use 15mm Birch Plywood (same as the library) 🪵
even though I could probably get away with using 10mm ... 💭

Todo

• Measure the available space on the main wall of the Attic
• Calculate* how many IKEA SAMLA Transparent Storage Boxes we can fit along the length.

https://www.ikea.com/pt/en/p/samla-box-with-lid-transparent-s69440761/

• Calculate how many vertical supports we need based on how many SAMLA Boxes fit.
• Measure length of the cabin of the TOYOTA PROACE 1.6 D4D (MDX9) 90 (delivery van) Feat: Roof Rack for Delivery Van TOYOTA PROACE 1.6 D4D (MDX9) 90  workshop#98
• Prepare Cutting List on 2440x1200-ply-template.svg

  Note: the constraint to respect is the internal dimensions of the van.

• Print cutting list to take to Leroy Merlin factoring in the Transport Van Constraint.

[nelsonic]

Gonna need 3 whole sheets of Plywood for this ...

Printed and ready to head to Leroy Merlin now. ⌛

[nelsonic]

FYI: this is my sketch:

I calculate that we will fit 29 of the IKEA SAMLA storage boxes in the space I’m going to create. That’s lot of storage … 💭

[nelsonic]

This is the area of wall I’m covering with shelves:

as you can see, the floor is a bit rough:

It’s not that bad, but it could be a tripping hazard which we definitely want to avoid for people carrying a box and not looking where they are walking … 💭

so I’ve asked Miguel to flatten the chunky bits and then smooth the surface with some fine cement. Going to put the Dehumidifier in there to help it cure/dry. Once that is done I will install the shelves that I’m working on in the workshop now. ⏳

[nelsonic]

Decided to cut the grooves manually with my pull saw:

way more accurate than the electric one. 👌

[nelsonic]

Happy with this fit:

on to the next one. ☝️

[nelsonic]

The cement fixing the level of the floor in the attic is almost dry:

I’m done with cutting the pieces of shelf system and am now doing a dry assembly:

[nelsonic]

Minor setback:

while dry installing the vertical support (with a mallet) the plywood split! 😢

[nelsonic]

I’ve done the assembly:

now need to test if we can carry it up the attic spiral staircase.

[nelsonic]

Getting it up the the first 4 flights of stairs from the workshop to the 2nd floor was easy:

[nelsonic]

But getting it up the Attic spiral staircase was a bit more of a challenge:

[nelsonic]

But with some Tetris skills, we made it up here:

here are two of the storage boxes for context:

[nelsonic]

Confident that the bigger shelving unit will definitely not fit up the attic spiral staircase. We will 100% need to assemble it in situ.

going to work on measuring everything tonight and preparing the cuts to be done tomorrow. 🤞🏼

[iteles]

Are any more 'works' going to be done up in he attic that will create dust etc or can I start packing on the boxes?

[nelsonic]

I'm going to drill 2 strategic holes into the brick walls to fix this shelf system to the wall so that it cannot fall forward.
But I will use dust collection while drilling so don't expect to make too much dust, but will promptly clean it.
These shelves are ready to receive the first 12 boxes now.

[nelsonic]

Really want to build the second set of shelves that will have space for 17 boxes 📦
so that I can consider this mini-project done. 🤞
But need at least 3h of workshop time 🕒
and not expecting to get that tomorrow 🙄
as have lots of work-work dwyl/product-roadmap#43 to do ... ⏳

[nelsonic]

Added fixing bracket to wall:

and on the west side (of the building) it’s wedged in tight:

this section of the shelving system is now considered operational.🚀

[nelsonic]

Going to do a bit of prep work on the second set now. 🪚
@iteles you should already be able to stack 12 boxes on these shelves without any issues. 👌

[nelsonic]

Visible Rubber mallet 🔨 marks from assembly:

Screws keep the shelves in place permanently but are not visible once the second set of shelves are installed.

This is my bricolage.

[nelsonic]

All 9 pieces of the second shelving unit ready for fitting:

[nelsonic]

To prevent black marks from the rubber mallet 🔨 I found a random (super old) magazine and used it to protect the face of the plywood:

I thought it was mildly amusing to be hammering “Thor” in the face….

[nelsonic]

sadly, “Thor” got the best of the rubber mallet:

it’s not “fixable” … 😢

poor Draper mallet; it’s had a good run. (I’ve had it for 7 years and it’s done time on most of my woodwork projects … ⏳

going to upgrade to something better. 💭
Meanwhile, sadly, cannot continue with the Attic Storage System installation. 😢 ⏯️

[nelsonic]

Going to try my luck with my Dexter Masonry Hammer:

Have a piece of scrap plywood to protect the shelf while using the hammer.
will reverse the workpiece so that I’m hammering from behind and lay down a towel to protect the front of the shelf.

[nelsonic]

for the second half of this unit, I’m going to use wax (parafin) to lubricate the joint, reducing friction:

The combination of heavier masonry hammer and wax meant the installation of the remaining 2 shelves went muuuuch smoother/quicker:

note-to-self: always use wax when fitting tight lap joints!! 💭

[nelsonic]

Second shelving unit/system is installed.

Now just need to drill a hole in the wall to fix it in place and can call it done!

[nelsonic]

@iteles you have space for 31 boxes. 📦
Is that “enough” for now? Or should I get to work on filling the other walls with shelves already?

[nelsonic]

Fixing screws in the wall and shelf:

this will prevent any wobble from the uneven floor. 👌
Done ✅

[nelsonic]

@iteles given that I have a simple design and workflow for building these shelves, I could easily cover the remaining 3 walls with more storage by the end of the week if you feel this is a priority. ⏳

[nelsonic]

Just say the word and I will get to work on the next set of shelves. Until then I’m getting back to my desk work. 👌

[nelsonic]

Next one:

[iteles]

I don't feel this is a priority, but I also don't think it'll take long for us to fill the space we have!

I would suggest laundry room storage is the next highest priority.

[nelsonic]

@iteles in terms of @home organisation, yes.
But as previously discussed, the next thing I'm building is the "Nido" Double-sided Shelf Storage.
(still no issue for this BTW ... if you want to help us, please open one!)
I'm getting this last Attic Storage Shelf out-of-the way ASAP so that I can store my things.
Your Shelves with space for 31 boxes have been "live" for the past week: #221 (comment)
Now I need to quickly make my own ones with the knowledge I've gained and do my own tidy blitz.

[nelsonic]

3rd Attic Shelf unit assembled and installed:

[nelsonic]

While I massively appreciate the effort required to sort, organise, pack, label and move the boxes full of children’s toys:

I really did not build these shelves as a dumping ground for clearly excessive accumulation of children’s toys. 🚂

I built them to address the dire problem of adult clutter. I had no idea there were this many toys that it would almost fill the space available. These toys either need to be displayed downstairs where children can select and play with them i.e. child-visible shelves on a lower floor … OR we need to donate or sell them so they aren’t taking up space in the attic.
The whole objective was to declutter the lower levels of the house and putting toys in the attic has not achieved that.

Perhaps I need to be a little clearer with my requirements to avoid this misunderstanding. 💭

[iteles]

I don't think any of us knew there were this many children's things to organise!
Please note that there is a lot of blank space in these boxes as they are categorized rather than filled to the brim.

I will gladly remove them personally as shelving is needed for adult clutter (and as soon as A2 is past the age, they will be donated or sold).

Currently there are 3 boxes of seasonal decorations on those shelves (adult clutter).

But in the meantime, having these in boxes and out of the way is extremely useful in terms of reducing clutter, both physical AND mental, which is crucial at this point.