How can I make shelves from plumbing pipes?

Your plumbing pipe bookshelf in 3 simple steps

Building a bookshelf from plumbing fittings and pipes is one of the most popular DIY projects: a stunning result thanks to the combination of wood and steel, easy to build even for beginners, and an affordable project.

Our plumbing fittings are particularly well suited for this type of use and allow you to build robust and authentic industrial style shelves. The weight of the black cast iron fittings and steel pipes is also an asset for the rigidity and stability of your structure.

What do I need?

The parts

List of required parts — recommended size ¾'' (20×27mm)

	Part	Role	Detail
	Black steel pipes ¾''	Uprights and crossbars	Length according to desired size
	90° F/F Elbows	Corners and returns	Black cast iron
	Equal F/F/F Tees	T-junctions	Black cast iron
	Floor flanges	Wall and floor fixing	Black cast iron
	Couplings (optional)	Rigidity and aesthetics	With 4 or 5 cm pipes

Couplings provide stability and rigidity to the structure. Their use is strongly recommended for proper support of your shelves once installed. Without them, the structure may tend to rotate over time.

The tools

• An adjustable spanner (optional, but makes tightening easier).
• A drill.
• A flat wood drill bit of 21-22 mm (for ½'' pipes) or 27-28 mm (for ¾'' pipes).

Wooden shelves

Whether a basic pine shelf or a quality walnut board, there is no wrong choice. Just make sure to choose a thickness of at least 18 mm.

Assembly in 3 steps

Opted for the Home Invasion shelving kit? Skip straight to step 3: the structural elements are already tightened and varnished.

Step 1: Preparing the shelves

1. Drill holes in the shelves. Use the first drilled board as a template to align the following ones.
2. Apply a finish if desired (wax, varnish, oil, paint…).

Step 2: Preparing the metal uprights

1. Degrease the parts (suitable degreaser, white spirit or acetone).
2. Assemble the different parts by tightening the fittings.
3. Finish (varnish, paint) on the metal parts. Allow to dry thoroughly before assembly to avoid marks.

Step 3: Final assembly

Assembly is relatively easy and requires 2 people. Simply screw the different elements together and fix the flanges.

Assembly breakdown by element

Element	Components
The feet	1 flange + 1 pipe
The shelf supports	1 elbow + 1 pipe + 1 tee + 1 pipe 4 cm + 1 coupling + 1 pipe
The wall return	1 flange + 1 pipe + 1 elbow

The coupling + 4 cm pipe section is not mandatory, but recommended: assembly will be easier, the final result more aesthetic and rigidity greater. Depending on the shelf thickness, you can adjust the pipe length between the elbow and the tee.

And there you have it — all that is left is to arrange your favourite books and objects on your new bookshelf!

Need help calculating your assembly dimensions? Use our assembly simulator or check out the fitting dimensions and assembly guide.

Any questions? Get in touch via the contact form.

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Equipment & related guides

Our products: Hooks & coat racks, Black steel tubes, DIY parts, Galvanised steel tubes

Best-sellers: Flange ¾" black iron

Also read:

• How to tighten fittings
• Steel tube diameters
• Which floor flange?