How to Cut Ventilated Shelving

A hacksaw is an appropriate tool for cutting ventilated shelving.

Ventilated shelving, sometimes called wire shelving, has some distinct advantages when used in storage and shelving systems. The shelving is lighter than wood or composite shelves, has a thinner profile and stays cleaner, since dust and dirt falls through the spaces between the wires, rather than accumulate on top. One disadvantage is sizing the ventilated shelves. Since they're constructed of metal, cutting the shelves is more difficult than cutting wooden or composite shelving materials. With the proper tools you can cut your ventilated shelving to the size you need for your project.

Things You'll Need

• Two saw horses
• 4-foot long 1-by-10-inch board
• Tape measure
• Felt tip marker
• 10-inch long 1-by-4-inch board
• Two carpenter's clamps
• Hacksaw
• File

Instructions

1. Place two sawhorses parallel to each other and separated by 2 to 3 feet. Place a 4-foot-long, 1-by-10-inch board onto the two sawhorses.

2. Measure and mark your wire shelf to the length that you want to cut it to. Place the shelf onto the board, with the section to be cut extending past the end of the board.

3. Place your 2-by-4-inch board onto the shelf, perpendicular to the 1-by-10-inch board, and 2 inches back from the edge of the board. Clamp the board onto the shelf with two clamps. This prevents the shelf from shifting when you cut.

4. Cut the shelf to size with a hacksaw. Remove any burrs from the cut metal with a file.

References

• "Black & Decker Build Your Own Custom Closet: Designing, Building & Installing Custom Closet Systems"; Gillett Cole; 2007