Back To The Family Handyman
Del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
TwitThis
Projects 3 and 4
Project 3: Suspended Extension Ladder
It’s always most convenient to hang an extension ladder on brackets on a wall. But unfortunately that wipes out all other storage potential for that wall. To save that valuable wall space, we designed a pair of 2x4 suspended brackets so a ladder can be stored flat along the ceiling.
Simply slide one end of the ladder into one bracket, then lift and slide the other end into the other bracket. Most people will need to stand on something solid to reach the second bracket. The 2x4 bracket sides are 16 in. long with 5-in. corner braces lag-screwed (like the shelf unit) into the top for attachment to the ceiling joist.
The bracket base is a 1/2-in. x 24-in. threaded steel rod ($2.75) that extends through 5/8-in. drilled holes on the bracket sides. It’s held in place with flat/lock washers and a nut on each side of both 2x4 uprights. A 3/4-in. x 18-in. long piece of PVC conduit pipe surrounds the rod for smooth rolling action when you slide the ladder in and out.
Wheelbarrows are fairly heavy and awkward. The trick to storing them is to get them up off the floor but not so high that you can’t lift them down easily. We’ve designed simple wall storage brackets in the past, but it’s tough to beat the nifty $4 wheelbarrow holder bracket we found at Home Depot (see Buyer’s Guide).
With this bracket, you simply set the front lip of the wheelbarrow into the lower bracket and swing the back up and into a latching upper bracket. To get the wheel-barrow down, just unlatch the upper bracket and swing it down. Keep in mind that the metal legs will stick out and can cause a nasty bump or bruise. Hang your wheelbarrow along a little-traveled wall or cover the legs with something soft.
Push the wheelbarrow next to a wall stud and mark its height. Attach the lower bracket to the stud with wood screws (provided), 1 in. below the mark. Next, push the wheelbarrow up so the front lip drops into the lower bracket, then raise the handles to the wall. Mark the upper bracket location, then attach the bracket to the stud.
Buyer’s Guide
All shelf and ladder bracket materials can be found in home centers and full-service hardware stores. Other products mentioned are listed below.
Shelf support corner brace (also called an L-bracket): 1-in. x 5-in. Stanley corner brace, (800) 622-4393, www.stanleyhardware.com. (Home Depot SKU No. 243078, $1.87).
Bicycle hoist: ProStor PBH-1 Hoist Monster: (800) 783-7725, www.racorinc.com. $25 to $30 plus shipping. Also available at Ace, TrueValue, Target and other stores.
Wheelbarrow holder: Crawford No. WBH, (800) 523-9382. www.lehighgroup.com. $3.97 at Home Depot; also available at other home centers and many hardware stores.
Advertisement 
