Making wall shelves from plumbing fittings

Welcome to our site dedicated to industrial plumbing! Today we're going to delve into the exciting world of industrial DIY and interior design. Whether you're a DIY (Do It Yourself) enthusiast looking for your next project, a fan of industrial style looking to add a unique touch to your space, or just someone who enjoys the sense of achievement that comes from creating something with your own hands, you've come to the right place.

This product is also available already in a pre-assembled and varnished version for immediate use here:

https://home-invasion.com/collections/bibliotheque-etageres/products/kit-montants-etageres-faible-profondeur-plomberie-sur-mesure

All you have to do is drill and add your shelves!

In today's tutorial, we're going to learn how to make a wall shelf structure using screw-on metal fittings and pipes. This decorative element is as functional as it is stylish, and will add undeniable cachet to any room. Industrial wall shelves are not only sturdy and durable, they also bring authentic industrial style.

No matter what your DIY skill level, this step-by-step guide will help you navigate the creative process. We'll break down each step in a detailed and understandable way, making this project accessible to everyone. This tutorial is specifically designed to encourage even the most novice among you to get started creating an industrial decorative object.

Also, we know that every space is unique. So this structure is flexible and adaptable. Whether you have a small flat in the city or a large house in the country, you can adjust the dimensions of your wall shelf to fit your space perfectly. The number of vertical supports can be multiplied ad infinitum, and it's also possible to vary the number of shelves to break up the symmetry of your structure.

Before you start, don't forget that DIY, although a recreational activity, still requires you to observe certain safety rules. Make sure you wear appropriate protective equipment when necessary.

List of parts needed to make this project:

To make this shelf structure you will need the following parts:

• Small Radius Female / Female Elbows
• Equal couplings
• Flange floor flanges
• Pipes
  
  

In this example we will make the structure in 20x27mm (3/4'') but other pipe diameters can also be used

Choosing pipe lengths:

You will need several lengths of pipe for this project:

• Vertical Pipes

  Vertical Pipes that will define the space available between your shelves. The assembly is coupling + pipe + sleeve
  The total size for this assembly is length of pipe + 5.5cm (55mm)
  Here are some examples:
  
  

  Pipe length	Pipe length + couplings
  10 cm (100 mm)	15.5 cm (155 mm)
  20 cm (200 mm)	25.5 cm (255 mm)
  30 cm (300 mm)	35.5 cm (355 mm)
  40 cm (400 mm)	45.5 cm (455 mm)

  
  

• Horizontal Pipes

  Pipes that will be placed horizontally that will define the depth of your structure.
  The assembly is flange + pipe + elbow (with large-diameter flange)
  The total size for this assembly is pipe length + 5cm (5mm)
  Here are some examples:
  
  

  Length Pipe	Length flange + pipe + elbow
  4 cm (40 mm)	9 cm (90 mm)
  5 cm (50 mm)	10 cm (100 mm)
  6 cm (60 mm)	11 cm (110 mm)
  8 cm (80 mm)	13 cm (130 mm)
  10 cm (100 mm)	15 cm (150 mm)
  12 cm (120 mm)	17 cm (170 mm)
  15 cm (150 mm)	20 cm (200 mm)

  
  For the depth at the axis just remove 18mm.
  
  For the height if you add a 5cm vertical pipe, the total overall height will be +9cm i.e. 19cm (190mm) and 14.5cm at the axis (145mm).
  

• Pipes feet

  Alternatively, you can have the structure rest on the ground. In this case, you can make a foot.
  The assembly is flange + pipe + coupling
  
  The total size for this assembly is pipe length + 3.5cm (35mm)
  Here are some examples:
  

  Pipe length	Flange + pipe + coupling length
  10 cm (100 mm)	13.5 cm (135 mm)
  20 cm (200 mm)	23.5 cm (235 mm)
  30 cm (300 mm)	33.5 cm (335 mm)
  50 cm (500 mm)	53.5 cm (535 mm)
  70 cm (700 mm)	73.5 cm (735 mm)

  
  
  

• Tablet Pipes

• For an 18mm shelf - a 40mm (4cm)
Pipe.
• For a 20mm shelf - a 40mm pipe (4cm)
• For a 30mm shelf - a 50mm (5cm)Pipe

Tools:

For this project you will need:

• A drill
• A flat drill bit (22 or 28mm depending on pipes)
• Degreaser with cleaning cloths
• Paint or varnish
• Optionally one or 2 spanners to make assembly easier

These various points are detailed below.

Step 1 - Assembly:

The assembly is very simple here are the different elements:

Shelf bracket:

Flange + pipe + elbow + tube + coupling

Vertical amounts

Coupling + pipe + coupling

Legs

If your structure is wall-mounted, you can install shelf brackets at the top and bottom. If your project rests on the floor, you can install feet at the bottom of your structure. You can also mix the 2 solutions to create a structure that rests partially on the ground.

Coupling + pipe + flange

Step 2 - Finishing:

Once the various elements have been assembled, if you have opted for loose parts, you will need to clean them and apply a coat of finish.

Cleaning

To degrease your parts you can opt for one of the following products:

• Degreaser for metal parts
• Acetone
• Essence F

Once the parts have been thoroughly cleaned and dried, a finish will need to be applied. This may be:

• Varnish
• Paint
• Optionally a patina or oil
.

Application will be easier, in the case of paint or varnish with an aerosol or spray gun.

Step 3 - Drilling the shelves:

The shelves will then need to be drilled to the diameter of your pipes, for example:

To make your holes, you can use one of our flat drill bits.

Step 4 -Assembly:

Assembly is relatively simple, just screw the elements together as in the video at the top of the page.

For optimum tightness, you can use one or two spanners on the small side bars of the couplings so that the shelves are tightly clamped between the 2 couplings.

Step 5 - Fixing to your partition:

All that's left to do is fix your structure to the wall using screws and plugs suited to the nature of your partition.

If you have any further questions about this tutorial, don't hesitate to send us a message!