DIY Industrial Pipe Shelving
Build custom industrial pipe shelving for a fraction of the retail price! This wall-sized bookshelf combines black iron pipe with stained wood for a beautiful industrial, farmhouse, or rustic look that's surprisingly beginner friendly.
Servings 1 bookshelf
Cost $475
Equipment
- Table Saw optional if your lumber is cut at the store
- Drill with drill bits including a 1 1/8″ Spade Bit
- Level
- Ladder
- Clean rags
- Paintbrush(es) or foam applicators
Ingredients
- Pine boards see the Notes section
- 3/4-inch black iron pipe and fittings see the Notes section
- 20 Drywall anchors and screws unless you are going into studs (then get wood screws)
- Degreaser or mineral spirits
- Minwax wood finish we used Ebony 2718 and Gray 271
- Polyurethane water based
- Painter’s tape
Instructions
- Cut the shelves to size using a table saw. See the notes for cut lengths.
- Using your 1 1/8" spade bit, you're going to drill three holes through each 70" board and two holes through each 36" board. Your holes need to be in the same place on every 70" board and the same place on every 36" board since you are stacking them.
- Sand all surfaces until smooth.
- Apply Ebony stain and allow it to dry. Lightly add Carbon Gray in random areas for a weathered, reclaimed appearance.
- Once the stain is dry, apply two or three coats of water-based polyurethane. Allow the finish to cure completely.
- Clean every pipe fitting with a degreaser or mineral spirits to remove the factory oil coating.
- Assemble the pipe sections by connecting the pipe, tee fittings, elbows, and flanges before stacking the shelves.
- Beginning at the bottom, slide each shelf onto the pipe assembly and continue stacking until the unit is complete.
- Level the shelving and secure the top flanges to the wall using appropriate screws. Whenever possible, mount directly into a stud for maximum strength.
Video
Notes
The wood and pipe that you'll purchase depends on the shelf you choose to make - see the below for your guide.
Left Shelving Unit, 70″ long
- Pine boards, 2 x 12, 6 feet long - 5
- 3/4" black floor flange - 6
- 3/4" black elbow - 18
- 3/4" black tee - 15
- 3/4" 4" black nipple - 3
- 3/4" 6" black nipple - 18
- 3/4" 12" black nipple - 6
- 3/4" 18" black nipple - 9
- Pine board, 2" x 12" x 6', cut to fit the space
- 3/4" black floor flange - 4
- 3/4" black elbow - 2
- 3/4" 6" black nipple - 4
- Pine boards, 2 x 12, 3 feet long - 5
- 3/4" black floor flange - 4
- 3/4" black elbow - 12
- 3/4" black tee - 10
- 3/4" 4" black nipple - 2
- 3/4" 6" black nipple - 12
- 3/4" 12" black nipple - 4
- 3/4" 18" black nipple - 6