Module 3: Balls
Basketballs and soccer balls roll off of conventional shelves like water off a duck. But a simple pair of support arms, along with front and back crosspieces, let balls rest securely.
For each module, cut two crosspieces 191⁄2" long, and two support arms 11" x 3". As with the skateboard arms, use a jigsaw or bandsaw to taper the parts so they narrow to 11⁄2" tall at the front. Fasten one crosspiece in between the front of each arm, leave a 7" gap, then fasten the rear crosspiece. This arrangement should create a gap wide enough for balls to sit in securely, without falling through. I fastened the whole module to the outside of the vertical 2x4 supports, leaving a vertical gap of 9" between each ball-storage assembly.
Module 4: Basic Shelves
A basic shelf is also a useful addition to hold soccer shoes, bike helmets and so on. This shelf is designed with a lip on the front, as well as on the sides, to help prevent things from rolling off.
Cut two sides 8" tall x 12" long, then trim them so they narrow to 2" tall at the front. The bottom is 12" x 191⁄2". Cut out a 31⁄2" x 11⁄2" notch at each back corner, such that the bottom wraps around the vertical 2x4 supports. Fasten the bottom between the two sides and then attach a 11⁄2"-tall board along the front to provide a front lip for the shelf. As with the ball-storage module, the sides are fastened to the outside of the vertical 2x4 supports.
Module 5: Bats
The bat storage module is the simplest of the set. Cut a 12" length of 2x4 and rip it to 3" wide. Measure 11⁄4" in from the front edge of the board and 31⁄2" in from each end, then drill two 15⁄8"-diameter holes. Each hole is wide enough to hold the handle of a bat without it being so wide that the bat would drop through it. This arrangement gives room to store two baseball bats. With a bit of adjustment in hole placement, a third bat-hanging hole can be added.
Cut a 11⁄8"-wide notch between the front edge of the board and the hole. The notch needs to be just a hair wider than the narrowest part of the bat to allow it to slip in and out of the hanging hole. Round over the outside front corner for safety, as illustrated in the plans. The exact dimensions of this curve are not crucial.
Fasten this module to the outside of one of the shelves, with two screws driven from the inside of the shelf side to secure the bat storage. Leave the shelf screws accessible as you install the bat module. If not, you'll have to remove the entire module assembly if you ever want to reposition the shelf.
Read more in Woodworking Projects and Furniture Plans
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