Hanging cabinets to the basment walls

[Turaj]

In my quest for setting up a decent workshop, I am finally getting to build 2 cabinets (with more to come) for all my woodworking books and magazines. The original idea was to attach long French cleats to the wall studs (at 82 and 64 inches from the floor) and hang the cabinets on those cleats (with freedom to reposition them later). Here is my problem:

The walls in my basement shop are concrete. The upper portion of the wall is covered with unfinished drywall panels over some horizontal furring strips and insulation (for total thickness of 3 inches). These strips (2 X 3?) are about 8 and 5 inches lower than my target (about 74 and 59 inch from the floor) plus a plate (?) on top of the wall. I have no idea how they are attached to the walls!!??

So, what are my options? These cabinets will be heavy (2 shelves, 31 inches wide full of books) and I don’t want them to fall (and take the wall with them). I was thinking of attaching some vertical pieces to these strips and then attaching the cleats to those pieces. Does this make any sense? Or should I try to attach the cleats directly to the walls? I know number of people have shop in their basements. Do you have the same problem? What have you done about it?

Thanks in advance

[cgallery]

I was thinking of attaching some vertical pieces to these strips and then attaching the cleats to those pieces. Does this make any sense? Or should I try to attach the cleats directly to the walls? I know number of people have shop in their basements. Do you have the same problem? What have you done about it?

Thanks in advance

The question is, how much can those horizontal strips support? You would either have to bring the new vertical pieces all the way to the floor or make certain the existing horizontal strips would be able to handle the weight.

[backpacker85]

You don't mention what type of ceiling this area has, so it may not be an option, but.....the best way may be to hang vertical braces from the sides of the ceiling joists. Just a thought.

[Turaj]

The question is, how much can those horizontal strips support?

They seems to be solidly in place but not knowing their size and how they are attached to the wall in the first place make it difficult to answer. I may open a portion of the drywall to see what is behind there.

[Turaj]

You don't mention what type of ceiling this area has, so it may not be an option, but.....the best way may be to hang vertical braces from the sides of the ceiling joists. Just a thought.

This is an unfinished basement and the ceiling joists are exposed:

I had not thought about this option but I will look into it. As you said it may be the best way to do it.

[eezlock]

hanging cabinets

I believe that the best option would be to try and hang them on some all thread rod from the ceiling joists. eezlock

[eddy merckx]

What about standing sheets of plywood floor to ceiling. screw to horizontal furring strips, then screw your cleats to the plywood.

Eddy

[Pappy]

Hard to tell from the picture, but it looks like the dry wall is put up with screws. If it is, it will be fairly easy to remove a sheet so you know what you have to work with.

[crokett]

hang your cleats on vertical supports down from the ceiling. If you run blocking that spans the joists you can screw vertical pieces of ply to that through its face and keep the cabinets much closer to the wall that way.

On second thought I think I'd hang the vertical supports from the sill plate.

[Turaj]

Thanks!

Thanks guys for the replies! I hope to spend some time in the shop today and check out my options!

Pappy, ufortunately the drywall is not screwed in, but regardless I am going to take off some portion to see how those furring strips are attached.

Eddy, I have often thought about redoing the basement! Taking off everything. put vertical strips and cover with plywood! Unfortunately it is much bigger project that I want to handle at this time (I may still do it - little portion at a time).

David, that is one that I want to check. I like to keep the cabinet closer to the wall. I am not too concern about the downward force as much as I am concern about tipping it over!

I'll see what happens. I'll post some pictures when I finish the cabinets! Thanks again.