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Tips & Techniques

The Simplest Trim Rack Ever

By Charles Miller Issue 186

The idea for this trim rack occurred to me when I was asked to provide racks for a crew applying oil finish to mahogany siding and trim on a penthouse in San Francisco. About 2000 lin. ft. had to be finished on site before installation to minimize transportation and excessive handling.

I made the racks from a single sheet of 5/8-in. plywood ripped down the middle lengthwise. I made the horizontal arms 3-1/2 in. wide and sized the spaces between them according to the thickness of the material that needed to be stacked. I used a circular saw for most of the cutting and finished the notches with a jigsaw.

The finished racks, which look like big combs, are screwed to the sides of studs for support. This rack works great for priming exterior or interior trim, and it takes up little space.

—Peter Heelan, Oakland, CA

Edited and illustrated by Charles Miller

From Fine Homebuilding #186

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  1. vrrusa | Nov 13, 2017 08:52pm | #1

    Ohhh!!! By adjusting the size a bit and adding a few hinges I could use these for my never ending interior trim prep!! AND fold them away when life got in the way of the remodel.. as it has on and off for the last 3 years. This way I wouldn't have to take everything out & put it back... I could slap on a coat of primer or paint at night, park the car in the garage, install the next morning and fold them away til next time!

  2. Engineer64 | Nov 13, 2017 09:41pm | #2

    Idea could also be used across a wide opening if drywall is already up

  3. George Gardner | Nov 19, 2017 12:46pm | #3

    Interesting idea for adjustable shelving, poles, pipes, etc. in my shed, too. Lots of possibilities. Multiple racks could be cut at the same time. Less slots would allow for taller, heavier items, but gussets could be used to reinforce the arms shown. I might use 3/4 ply for my shed.

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