Effective storage is essential for smooth operations in any fabrication shop, especially when dealing with hard-to-store materials like pipes, metal angles, or other long, bulky items. At Solico Metal, we recently faced this exact challenge in our workshop. We came up with a unique solution that’s now a staple in our facility: our lovingly named “Christmas Tree” a custom cantilever racking solution. This custom-designed, double-sided rack with inclined arms has transformed how we store and access our materials—and we’re excited to share how this versatile system can help other businesses with their unique storage needs, too.
The Birth of the “Christmas Tree” Rack
In our fabrication shop, we often work with materials like steel angles and pipes, which can be notoriously difficult to store. They tend to roll around and pile up, making organization and accessibility a nightmare. That’s where our “Christmas Tree” rack came into play. Its name? A playful nod to its shape—a tall, double-sided rack with angled arms and strategically placed pins along each arm that resemble the branches of a Christmas tree. The shape isn’t just for fun, though—it’s incredibly practical.
The inclined arms and pins along the length of each arm (not just at the tip) keep different sizes of materials separated, allowing for easy access and organization. This design is particularly useful for long, narrow materials like pipes or steel angles, which can be difficult to handle with standard racking systems. We created this rack because we didn’t see anything quite like it in the market, and it’s proven to be indispensable in our operations.
Why Cantilever Racking is a Game-Changer
Cantilever racking is known for its flexibility, and our custom “Christmas Tree” rack takes that to the next level. Here’s why cantilever racking is ideal for storing odd-sized or difficult-to-manage materials:
- Designed for Long, Bulky Items: Cantilever racks are perfect for storing items that don’t fit well in traditional shelving, such as lumber, pipes, steel, and even fabric rolls. The open design makes it easy to load and unload items, even those that are extremely long or awkward in shape.
- Inclined Arms for Safety: One of the unique features of our rack is the inclined arms, which are great for keeping round items like pipes or tubing from rolling off the rack. This is especially important when storing multiple types of materials that need to stay secure. You could achieve a similar effect by using straight arms with a stop at the end, but inclined arms offer added security with minimal effort required to secure the load.
- Customizable Design: Cantilever racks are highly customizable, and that’s where Solico Metal excels. Whether you need double-sided racks for maximum storage, like our “Christmas Tree” design, or a single-sided option for tight spaces, we can fabricate the perfect solution for your warehouse or shop. Need extra features like pins, lips, or even custom finishes? No problem—we can tailor the design to your exact specifications.
A Storage Solution Built to Last
In addition to its flexibility, cantilever racking is built to handle heavy loads. At Solico, we designed our cantilever rack to manage the substantial weight of steel materials, with each arm capable of holding thousands of pounds. Whether you need to store structural steel, pipes, or sheet goods, cantilever racking can be customized with the right arm length and capacity to ensure your materials are stored safely and securely.
The inclined arms in our design are welded at an angle, keeping round materials in place without additional securing mechanisms. This simplifies the loading and unloading process, making it more efficient for workers. Plus, with two pins on each arm, materials are better organized, reducing the risk of confusion and improving access.
Sharing Our Innovation
At Solico Metal, we’re proud of the custom solution we developed to solve our own storage challenges—and we’re even more excited to share this idea with other manufacturers and businesses that might face similar issues. If you have a special storage need, we can help you design a cantilever racking system that’s tailored to your specifications. Whether you need to store pipes, metal corners, or any other awkward materials, if you can dream it up, we can make it happen.
Why Choose Solico Metal for Your Cantilever Racking?
With our in-house engineering and fabrication capabilities, we’re equipped to create customized solutions that meet your unique needs. Our racks are made to last, with heavy-duty materials and expert craftsmanship, ensuring they can handle even the toughest industrial environments.
If you’re ready to optimize your storage space and improve operational efficiency, contact Solico Metal today. We’ll help you design the perfect cantilever rack for your facility—and who knows, maybe your shop will end up with a “Christmas Tree” rack of its own!
Interested in seeing our custom cantilever racking in action? Visit our projects page to learn more about how we can help you with your storage needs.
