A garage rack built from 2x4 posts and 1x3 rails where twelve 27-gallon totes slide in and hang by their lips, three columns across and four rows high. Pull any tote out without unstacking the others. Square cuts and screws only; four ladder-style dividers are built flat on the floor, stood up and tied together. The fit is drawn for the HDX 27-gallon Tough Storage Tote, and its lip width (19.6 in) is taken from the store listing, not measured, so step 1 has you measure your own tote and run four pass-or-fail checks before you buy or cut any wood; the bottom spacers that set each column’s width are cut to your tote, so other brands fit too. Totes are not included; the pictures are shown with totes (not included).
Before you buy anything, it helps to know three things: how big the finished build is, what you’ll bring home from the store, and how the assembly goes. Here they are for the 27-Gallon Tote Storage Rack, straight from the plan.
How big is it?
The finished size is 66-3/8 × 30 × 78 in (169 × 76 × 198 cm), width × depth × height. Measure the spot where it will stand before you start.
What you’ll buy
The shopping list comes to about $98 at the prices we saw (Sep 27 – Oct 5, 2026). Prices change, so check your own store.
| Qty | What | At the prices we saw |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 1x3 SPF, 8 ft | $33.36 |
| 6 | 2x4 SPF, 8 ft | $25.50 |
| 2 | 2x4 SPF, 12 ft | $14.36 |
| 1 box | #8 x 1-5/8 in tan star flat-head deck screws | $10.97 |
| 1 box | #9 x 2-1/2 in tan star flat-head deck screws | $10.97 |
| 2 | Everbilt 3/8 in x 4 in hex zinc-plated lag screw | $1.66 |
| 1 | Everbilt 3/8 in zinc flat washer | $1.38 |
The shopping list names what to buy; the cut list in the plan turns those boards and sheets into parts. Check both before your first cut.
Tools you need
- Tape measure
- Speed square
- Pencil
- Miter saw
- Drill/driver
- Drill bits (1/8 in and 5/32 in for pilot holes)
- T20 and T25 star driver bits
- Lag-screw pilot bit (1/4 in) and clearance bit (3/8 in)
- Ratchet with a 9/16 in socket
- Bar clamps (at least 2, 30 in or longer)
- Safety glasses
- Hearing protection
- Step stool or stepladder
- Drill-bit extension (12 in) and socket extension (6 in or longer)
How the build goes
The plan has 9 steps, each with a drawing and the parts it uses. The plan’s own estimate is about 5–8 hours; treat it as an estimate.
- Measure your tote and run the fit checks
- Cut the posts, rails and spacers
- Build the two end dividers flat
- Build the two middle dividers flat
- Stand the left end divider and the first middle divider
- Add the second middle divider
- Add the right end divider
- Fit the back stops and the top header
- Anchor the rack and load the totes
Before you start
- Compare the shopping list with the stock sizes your store actually carries.
- Check every measurement against your own materials before cutting.
- Read the safety notes at the front of the plan and wear the protective gear it lists.
What the plan includes
- Preparation packet PDF (shopping list, cut list, tools), 9 pages
- Build guide PDF, 31 pages
- Preparation packet PDF, metric (mm) (shopping list, cut list, tools), 8 pages
- Build guide PDF, metric (mm), 31 pages
- Offline animated 3D build guide (ZIP; open guide.html in a web browser; guide-metric.html for mm)
It is a digital build plan: nothing physical ships. See the plan.
These plans are for planning and personal use. They are not engineered drawings and do not claim compliance with any building code. Check local rules and use your own judgment on site.
General planning guidance. Follow your chosen plan and tools’ instructions; ask about unclear dimensions or substitutions before cutting.