Uploaded December 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this video I'm showing you how fabricating a DIY lumber rack using steel is possible, even with limited welding knowledge. I built a shed to store my extra materials and yard tools. I have some lumber and trim that I would like to store properly.
Although there are solutions available to purchase, I want to fabricate my own out of heavy gauge steel tubing. There's so much I want to learn about fabrication. And I know that forcing myself to do it is the right approach. It's how I learned everything, including woodworking, software engineering, design, and more.
What you don't see in this video is that I started this project last year. I bought the steel from Joseph Fazzio's Steel in Glassboro. I also bought a used chop saw with carborundum discs from them a year ago to make this lumber rack. It works but it is not great, which is why I never finished the lumber rack. The cuts take several minutes each and they are not square.
So I decided to purchase the Evolution S355MCS miter saw, which would give me the accuracy I needed. Besides, this was the required tool for me to build my DIY PlasmaCNC over Christmas break. The saw is built well and cuts steel tubing perfectly within seconds.
I also purchased a used 15-inch Craftsman drill press last year. The drill press was the perfect tool for drilling the bolt holes for mounting the brackets on the studs in the shed.
Evolution S355MCS 14" Miter Saw - amzn.to/3VE0TAZ
Blue Demon E71TGS X .035” Flux Core Welding Wire - amzn.to/4ga7tY5
RESTORER Drum Sander Tool for removing rust and mill scale - amzn.to/3ZR6ne7
The steel pieces were either rusted or had mill scale on them. I used the Restorer with a rust removing drum to clean the areas where I would be welding the pieces. I love this tool as it makes removing paint, rust, and mill scale super easy.
Then I used my Lincoln Electric 210MP to weld the pieces together using Blue Demon E71TGS flux cored welding wire. Not shown on camera was some frustration with welding, like running out of welding wire, welding the wire to the welding tip, bird nesting inside the welder, and using the incorrect settings on the welder for the thickness of steel being welded. Once I got my settings dialed in, I was able to apply a better bead of weld.
I felt like this project was totally worth the trade off for the price of materials and the tools for the experience gained. I'm a hands on learner and I need to make my mistakes and adjust.
Now onto the next project, which is building my Plasma CNC.
Video Chapters:
0:00 Introduction to the Evolution S355MCS 14" Miter Saw
0:50 First cut on the miter saw
1:15 Clamping 2" steel tubing onto miter saw
2:20 Drilling bolt holes
2:53 Using Restorer to remove mill scale and rust
3:05 Welding
5:03 Welding parameters table
6:09 Installation of the lumber rack brackets
9:27 Storing wood and trim on the rack
10:17 You can build this lumber rack too
“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”
Video Credits:
Video Production: U Do It™️ Studios a Division of No Cheese Records LLC All Rights Reserved. No Cheese Records® is a Registered Trademark of No Cheese Records LLC All Rights Reserved.
In this video I'm showing you how fabricating a DIY lumber rack using steel is possible, even with limited welding knowledge. I built a shed to store my extra materials and yard tools. I have some lumber and trim that I would like to store properly.
Although there are solutions available to purchase, I want to fabricate my own out of heavy gauge steel tubing. There's so much I want to learn about fabrication. And I know that forcing myself to do it is the right approach. It's how I learned everything, including woodworking, software engineering, design, and more.
What you don't see in this video is that I started this project last year. I bought the steel from Joseph Fazzio's Steel in Glassboro. I also bought a used chop saw with carborundum discs from them a year ago to make this lumber rack. It works but it is not great, which is why I never finished the lumber rack. The cuts take several minutes each and they are not square.
So I decided to purchase the Evolution S355MCS miter saw, which would give me the accuracy I needed. Besides, this was the required tool for me to build my DIY PlasmaCNC over Christmas break. The saw is built well and cuts steel tubing perfectly within seconds.
I also purchased a used 15-inch Craftsman drill press last year. The drill press was the perfect tool for drilling the bolt holes for mounting the brackets on the studs in the shed.
Evolution S355MCS 14" Miter Saw - amzn.to/3VE0TAZ
Blue Demon E71TGS X .035” Flux Core Welding Wire - amzn.to/4ga7tY5
RESTORER Drum Sander Tool for removing rust and mill scale - amzn.to/3ZR6ne7
The steel pieces were either rusted or had mill scale on them. I used the Restorer with a rust removing drum to clean the areas where I would be welding the pieces. I love this tool as it makes removing paint, rust, and mill scale super easy.
Then I used my Lincoln Electric 210MP to weld the pieces together using Blue Demon E71TGS flux cored welding wire. Not shown on camera was some frustration with welding, like running out of welding wire, welding the wire to the welding tip, bird nesting inside the welder, and using the incorrect settings on the welder for the thickness of steel being welded. Once I got my settings dialed in, I was able to apply a better bead of weld.
I felt like this project was totally worth the trade off for the price of materials and the tools for the experience gained. I'm a hands on learner and I need to make my mistakes and adjust.
Now onto the next project, which is building my Plasma CNC.
Video Chapters:
0:00 Introduction to the Evolution S355MCS 14" Miter Saw
0:50 First cut on the miter saw
1:15 Clamping 2" steel tubing onto miter saw
2:20 Drilling bolt holes
2:53 Using Restorer to remove mill scale and rust
3:05 Welding
5:03 Welding parameters table
6:09 Installation of the lumber rack brackets
9:27 Storing wood and trim on the rack
10:17 You can build this lumber rack too
“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”
Video Credits:
Video Production: U Do It™️ Studios a Division of No Cheese Records LLC All Rights Reserved. No Cheese Records® is a Registered Trademark of No Cheese Records LLC All Rights Reserved.
