How to Build a Bike Rack Out of Wood

A bike rack is not only a good way to keep your bicycles organized, but the best way to keep them safe, too. You can build your own bike rack out of wood in only a few hours.

Things You'll Need

• 6 1-by-1-inch beams, 61 inches long
• 10 1-by-1-inch beams, 26 inches long
• 4 1-by-1-inch beams, 14 inches long
• 2 4-by-1/2-inch planks, 17 inches long
• 1 4-by-1/2-inch plank, 59 inches long
• Drill
• Saw
• Screws

Instructions

1. Lay all 10 of the 26-inch beams flat on the ground parallel to each other, with alternating distances between them of 5 and 7 inches. In other words, lay the first beam, then leave 5 inches, then the second beam, then leave 7 inches.

2. Place two of the 59-inch beams across the edges of the 26-inch beams on both ends. They should be long enough to hang over 2 inches at each end.

3. Drill holes into the 59-inch beams. Use screws to attach them to each of the 26-inch beams. You should now have a latticework that looks something like a ladder with uneven steps.

4. Flip over the frame and attach two more 59-inch beams to the other side, directly opposite the first pair of 59-inch beams. Be careful when screwing them into place not to drill into the screws from the other side.

5. Stand the frame up on one of the 59-inch-long edges. The two 59-inch beams should give it enough support to stand upright.

6. Screw the two 4-by-1/2-inch planks onto the bottom of the frame, one at each end, perpendicular to the 59-inch beams you are attaching them to. Center them so that they hang over 7 inches on each side. These planks will provide the stable feet of the rack.

7. Flip the rack over so that the feet are against the ground. Lay the 59-inch plank (4-by-1/2) across the top to cover both 59-inch beams and the tops of all of the 26-inch rails in between them. The plank will overhang 1/2 inch on each side.

8. Lay the last two 59-inch beams on the feet, at the very edge, running from the edge of foot to foot. They will be 6 inches apart from the 59-inch beams running along the base of the rack. Screw them into place. These will provide the base support for the wheels of bikes secured in the bike rack.

9. Saw the edges of the 14-inch beams to 45-degree angles. Cut both ends of each beam, with the cut at each end perpendicular to the other, so that the beam can be inserted as a brace between the foot and the endmost 26-inch rail. Screw these brace supports into place.

References

• Other bike rack designs from Canadianhomeworkshop.com