Replies

1. 
   JohnH | Jan 30, 2006 05:50pm | #1

   Some of the sheet good that I get are not perfectly flat. So I store those vertically, but slightly leaning in a direction that their weight tends to flatten them. After they are flat, I store them vertically to save space.

1. 
   OldGuy | Jan 30, 2006 06:46pm | #3

   Thanks John. My bigest concern was to keep them from warping.

2. 
   ring | Jan 30, 2006 06:05pm | #2

   At any given time I have about 40-50 sheets of various materials in the shop.  I store them vertically in a rack, mostly because I can pull any sheet I need out at any time.  Laying flat is nice as long as you don't need what's on the bottom.

   DR 

1. 
   OldGuy | Jan 30, 2006 06:49pm | #4

   Thanks ring. After two replys, vertical it is. I can picture always needing what is on the bottom. Also I think I have devised a plan for handling/moving vertical sheets.easier than if they were flat.

3. 
   mudman | Feb 03, 2006 06:14am | #5

   I also have a large rack full of sheet goods stored vertically. If you stack horizontaly and don't use what is on top it will slowly warp from uneven moisture levels.

   Mike

4. 
   Scrit | Feb 03, 2006 05:42pm | #6

   Sheet suppliers such as Weyerhauser Corp. generally advise you to store sheet flat on substantial pallets. Great if you have the space, which I don't. I rack all of mine vertically and use battens and wedges to ensure that the sheets are not allowed to slump (which causes them to bow). I also tend to retain the cover sheets sent with batches of sheets to pack at either end odf a vertical stack - I believe this slows-down the tendency of the end sheets to absorb moisture from the atmosphere.

   Scrit

1. 
   OldGuy | Feb 03, 2006 07:43pm | #7

   Thanks Scrit,I like the idea of battens - hadn't thought of that.

5. 
   dondownunder | Feb 04, 2006 08:51am | #8

   I do both - packs of sheets that turn over quickly (eg white melamine) are stored flat, slower moving stock in a vertical rack so that individual sheets can be selected.

   Additionally there also is the decision to store long side down or up. Personally I prefer to store on the long edge & have made a rack that accomodates full sheets, 3' wide, 2' wide & 1' wide off-cuts.  The rack stands about 8' high, the 1' & less stock is stored is on top of the 2, the 2 & 3' sections are on top of the 4' (full width) which has a divider at the mid point. The overall width will be dependant on your need, mine is 4' wide. The rack runs along & is secured to the wall of the workshop. 

   The odd time that we get a 6' wide sheet in it goes over the saw straight away. 

   Don

6. 
   sawdustandshavings | Feb 20, 2006 09:11pm | #9

   Hey Oldguy,

   If I had the room I would store the sheets flat in different piles according to the materials.This way is the way how my timber merchants do it so there must be a good reason for it.It would help if you have a seperate room for the sheets to be stored in so that they don't become a tripping hazard.

   Good luck in making your decision, hopefully it will be the right one.

   Sawdust.

   'It's not a mistake It's a design feature'

1. 
   OldGuy | Feb 21, 2006 03:18am | #10

   Hmmm,
   Maybe a rack with several levels a foot apart extending as high as you have room or as high as you want to juggle.Thanks

2. 
   ring | Feb 21, 2006 09:31am | #11

   Sawdust,  the usual reason that merchants store them flat is because they move the piles with forklifts.  For most of us this is irrelevant to our shop needs.  The advantage of being able to pull out and replace any sheet I need from a vertical rack far outweighs (for me) any niceties of laying them flat, not to mention the floor space saved.  I can't say that I've seen damage to sheets that is the clear result from vertical standing in a rack. 

   DR

1. 
   Jumpman | Feb 21, 2006 09:59am | #12

   Weyerhauser has a website and a PDF file you can download that has storage recommendations.

   http://www.pfsrf.org/prf/pdf/PlyGuide1.pdf

   Good information.  Check it out.

   JJ

1. 
   BigK | Mar 20, 2006 09:26am | #15

   I think that you may have a problem with that pdf address. When I tried it I got some site about network solutions. Oh well. Maybe I will go to weyehauser to see if I can locate that info, if I have time later.

2. 
   sawdustandshavings | Feb 21, 2006 11:55am | #13

   I was only trying to help and give advice to someone who was asking for it.I am sorry for the misunderstanding, they must lift them with a forklift.Once again, sorry.

   Sawdust.'It's not a mistake It's a design feature'

7. 
   Dave45 | Mar 01, 2006 01:57am | #14

   I've always stored my sheet goods vertically because I just don't have the space to lay them flat.  I store them as nearly vertical as possible and - if they're warped - lean them so the warp straightens.

   My local hardwood/sheet goods store also stores them vertically.  They have several "boxes" a little longer than 8' and it's pretty easy to get a sheet out.  Would that I had the room - lol.