Lumber storage is tricky; it's big and bulky, and not really well suited for the
floor. On the other hand, if that's where it is, housekeeping is reduced
to "cleaning around" rather than "cleaning up." In my case, the shop is
also the garage, so I've got wall space behind the garage door rail that goes
wasted otherwise... great place for a lumber rack.
I originally got the idea and inspiration from the Dec. 04/Jan. 05 issue of Wood magazine. They ran an article called Triple Threat Storage (.pdf) for lumber, scraps, and sheet goods. It detailed a wall mounted lumber rack that I liked, but couldn't implement because of the brick wall I have to deal with. Still, the idea was solid, and so is that brick wall, so I took their idea and modified it just a skoash. So, let's get busy...
If you're planning to build the lumber rack as detailed in the Wood Magazine article, they have a materials list included. Otherwise, there isn't really a cut list for this project. Depending on how long you intend the rack to be, you'll need a few 2 x 6 sticks to brace the shelf standards, and you'll need one heavy duty shelf standard for each stick. You'll also need a butt load of heavy duty shelf brackets and an appropriate number of screws to mount the standards to the sticks. Finally, you need a sheet or two (again, depending on the number of shelves) of " MDF for the shelves.
This is pretty straight forward; if you're mounting them to studs, grab a handfull of lag bolts and get to drilling. If you're putting them to brick, it's a whole new ballgame. Measure and mark where the holes will be drilled into the morter lines, and grab a hammer drill. Once you have your mounting holes cleaned out, get some concrete anchors and fasten the sticks to the wall. Make sure the sticks are plumb before cinching down the bolts.
Lay a level line out on your 2 x 6 sticks that will eventually line up with one of the upper holes on the shelf standards. This is a good spot for a laser lever if you have one, but if not, it's pretty easy with a long framing level and a helper. Oh, your helper went skateboarding, you say... build a water level. Here's a good article and follow-up on how to build and use one.
Anyway, pre-drill some holes into each of the sticks along the level line and loosly screw a standard to each 2 x 6. Plumb the standards to the sticks and put the rest of the screws in the standards. The weight of the wood will add up pretty quickly, so don't skimp on the either the number or length of the screws you use to attach the standards.
Now, all that's left is to level up and put the brackets on the standards, and cut your MDF shelves. Load that bad boy up, and you're ready to work.
There really isn't too much to be concerned with here... just be careful when pulling lumber off, especially if it's on the back of a shelf. Long pieces of lumber on the back of any shelf has a mystical way of making all the boards on the front of the shelf shift and fall.
One more thing; My shelves are high up on the wall and I use the space below for other storage. I added " diameter eye bolts to the top and bottom of four of the 2 x 6's, and use some 600 lb. tie-down straps for safety. It only takes a few seconds to remove them for access to my lumber, and could prevent a major accident. I only removed them for picture clarity.