Universal Tote Rack Builder

1. Your tote

Preset

Length Width Height

Outside size at the widest point (usually the lid). Height includes the lid. Fractions OK: 4 5/8.

Lid lip overhang / side or body width under lip

Lid top to underside of lip

Orientation

2. How many

Columns Rows

Number of totes Columns

Max width Max height

Side clearance (total) Vertical clearance

Row pitch = tote height + vertical clearance.

3. Materials

Upright style

Ladder posts Diagonal 1x3 back braces (1x posts)

Two posts per upright (front + back), thin face toward the bay. 1x3/1x4: 3/4" thick like 3/4" ply, joined by top and bottom stretchers, rails span post to post; needs the 1/4" back or back braces to stop racking. 2x4: 1-1/2" thick posts with 2x4 rails as rungs, for big totes (HDX 27 gal and up).

Top / bottom

Frame stock

Front + back rails on edge, full width, with a crosspiece at every upright (and mid-bay on bays over 24"); glue + pocket screws. Rails stay measured from the top of the bottom frame; the rack gets a little taller. On casters the caster plate is the bottom. With no rigid panels the 1/4" back (or braces) is required. A frame is not a shelf: add a 1/4" or 1/2" ply top if you want one. Not used with 2x4 posts (they keep 2x4 caps).

Uprights

Upright thickness Upright depth

Leave blank / 0 for auto. Real "3/4" ply is often 23/32" (0.719").

Rails

Rail stock

Rail projection / side Rail height

Clip length Clips / rail Screw holes

4. Options

Top (panel or frame) 1/4" back panel

Base

Kick height

Caster size (wheel)

Mounting height Rating / caster (lb)

Blank = typical for the size. Check your caster's package: mounting height (floor to top of plate) and load rating vary by brand.

Caster type

Caster count Plate overhang, each end

Base plate Stiffening frame

Weight / loaded tote (lb) Safety factor

Mounting

5. Modular

Modular mode

Build repeatable units you can carry, stack and join side by side.

Columns / module Rows / module

Joining

Drawings

Tap a drawing to enlarge

Front elevation

Cut list

Sheet goods (4x8)

Rail stock & hardware

Cost estimate

Estimates only. Unit prices are editable and saved on this device. Check your local store.

Build steps

3D-printed rail clip

Parametric OpenSCAD file built from this design (clip length, rail projection & height, lip bearing, screw holes, optional lid keeper and back stop). Open in OpenSCAD, tweak the Customizer, export STL. The quick STL is the plain clip (straight holes, no countersink).