How to Build a Shelf With an Angle Iron

Screws or bolts secure an angle iron bracket used for shelving.

Although the angle iron is a multipurpose piece of hardware, builders frequently use it to support shelves. Typically made of thick steel, angle irons are sturdy and durable. Even better, the simple design of the angle iron makes shelf installation straightforward and quick. Learn how to build a shelf with an angle iron and create more storage in your space.

Things You'll Need

• Level
• Pencil
• Angle iron brackets
• Power drill
• Screws
• Shelf material

Instructions

1. Place the level on the wall and adjust it to a level position. While holding the level with one hand, pick up a pencil and mark a position for each angle iron bracket at opposite sides of the level; the distance between these marks represents the final distance between the installed angle iron brackets.

2. Pick up one of the brackets and hold its screw hole over one of the marks on the wall. Press the level to the side of the angle iron bracket and use the level to position the angle iron straight up and down. Put down the level, hold the bracket in position and use a pencil to draw a mark at the center of each of the bracket's screw openings. Place the next bracket over the opposite mark, use the level to position the bracket straight up and down, and mark the position of the bracket's screw holes.

3. Hold the first bracket in one hand and a power drill in the other. Align the bracket with its corresponding screw-hole marks. Stabilize the bracket in position with one hand and drive a screw through each hole into the wall with the power drill. Hold the next bracket on the wall and align its holes with the screw marks. Drive screws through each of the bracket's holes and into the wall.

4. Put the shelf material onto the attached angle iron brackets. Secure the shelf material to the brackets by driving a screw through each of the bracket screw holes and into the underside of the shelf material.

Tips & Warnings

• If you can't fasten screws directly to your wall, use concrete or wallboard anchors to secure the screws.

References

• Natural Hazards Hawaii: University of Hawaii: Secure Free-standing Bookshelves to the Wall
• University of Idaho: Environmental Health and Safety--Shelf Installation