ORE International R597-5 Five Tier Metal Book Rack

Packaging was good. Very easy for one person to assemble without instruction sheet in no more than a quarter-hour, although smaller people may have need to two persons to assemble it. Includes all screws (although no extras, so if you strip one, you're screwed); the screws are hex, and a small hex wrench is included, the only tool needed to assemble. Tubular anodised or powder coated steel construction, with perforated steel shelves.

The shelves bend a bit under load (I have it loaded with 40-55 lbs per shelf, about a dozen large hardcover textbooks and hardcover and leather-bound books of religion, per shelf, no paperbacks or at least not any paperbacks that weigh less than 3 lbs and anyone who has ever had a library full of texts on physics, chemistry, and Christianity can attest the books aren't octavo-sized miniatures: religious books and most textbooks are bound larger than life) but appear sturdy the fact that it's holding up under 200 lbs or more of books proves that. The contraption is quite sturdy for its low weight.

If you load it down with heavy books, you need to pack them from edge-to-edge to keep them from tipping, although this may be a problem of carpeting or uneven flooring, although I doubt it. The shelves hook over the tubular steel used to construct the cross-braces for the shelves, but are slightly (maybe three-quarters of an inch, or an inch half an inch per side) less wide than the frame, so if one puts a very thin book (many books of philosophy, etc.) towards the edge without pressure from the stack of books against the frame, it can fall through the small crack.

Overall, it's relatively large, relatively cheap, metal, and sturdy enough to hold scores of large, thick hardcover tomes of several pounds each, which most of the particle-board cases aren't, as they bend and eventually break under the weight, due to the nature of particle board. It's enough to hold ~70 textbook-sized A4 or 12 by 9 inch hardbacks arranged vertically, about ~100-110 trade paperbacks or mass market paperbacks of non-enormous length arranged vertically, and some ~150 paperbacks stacked horizontally, or double that (although I do not know if it could support the weight) if they're stacked two-deep.

Overall, I give a 8.5 out of ten, or four and one-quarter stars, and recommend it with some small reservations as mentioned above (mainly the books falling through the edges of the shelves if they're thin) but you're not going to find any shelf without those reservations until you get in to the solid-steel institutional-quality bookshelves in the $500+ range, or solid wood bookshelves that are very heavy and don't hold as many books in a similar price range.

Five stars out of five for the price, which for me was ~$75 with free shipping from Amazon.

Edited 07/06/11 to more accurately reflect the greater weight of books the shelf now bears admirably.

I needed more bookshelves but didn't want any more heavy wooden ones. This is lightweight and has 5 shelves. It was really easy to put together. The shelves have a lip on both sides so they fit snugly over the bars that hold the shelves together. When it was complete, I took it upstairs nice to be able to carry it myself and started setting books on it. I completely filled it with books and there is no sign of it bending or being unstable. The shelves are 12" tall so taller books will easily fit. I like that it doesn't have a back, but does have a bar at each level so the books won't fall out. This attractive bookshelf gives an open feeling to my room. I would definitely buy this again.

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Shelf was very easy to put together--no tools other than the supplied allen wrench required. It took me maybe 15 minutes to put it together. It's very strudy and was a great replacement for a wooden shelf I bought a few years ago which broke. Glad I went with the metal. The only complaint I have is the back support bars make it impossible to stack books on their backs without one jutting forward.

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I ordered two of these shelving units for my loft and they arrived in one week. First, the boxes were not real bulky. The sender even wrapped extra bubble wrap around them. Second, I opened each box and each piece was wrapped in clear plastic. Everything was in each box, no missing parts. Third, the easiest way to assemble them is to screw in each bar first, only half way. Then snap the shelves in place. There is only a print out of the parts...no instructions. Then, after the shelf is standing with shelves in place, start to tighten each screw...but do not tighten it so hard as to strip it. Note: The extra bars are for extra support on the backside.

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I bought 4 of these shelves for my homeschool classroom. They were delivered quickly, & came with the tool needed to put them together. My kids had all the shelves assembled in no time! Even though these bookshelves are lightweight, they are very sturdy. I have them loaded down, and the shelves are not bowing one bit. All in all, I'm very pleased!

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Dark Brown Shelves by Ashley Furniture

I`ll say I am very satisfied with these shelves. I was looking for a curio cabinet but could n`t find one with the dimensions and the look I wanted. Then in my search I stumbled across this shelve and it worked out great even better for me than a curio cabinet. It did have several scratches on the legs and shelves I was surprised because they were so well wrapped. I took care of them with a wood finish stain marker and they look fine. The shelves when assembled are very sturdy and look as good or better as pictured. One more thing is they were better priced on Amazon even if going directly thru Ashley Furniture.

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SEI Reflections Corner Rack

I measured my space and this rack was just the right size. I was even more pleased when it arrived. Its sturdy, and so well designed that it didn't require me to put it together, the shelves just snapped into place. its strong, and attractive. I am delighted with it.

It looks better in the pic. It has screws that don't work, paint chipping off, an impossible to use shelf situation. I returned it.

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I was happy to find that no real assembly is required the main panels are already hinged together, and the shelves snap into place. It's a nice looking piece although it has a more yellowish/brassy finish than the photo shows. I thought it would be more of a brushed nickel finish not so.

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Mudroom Shoe Rack with Tray and shelf

I order this and it came missing one of the holes that you need to insert the shelf and then I was sent another one that was also damaged, so I gave up. While the product was less than satisfactory, the company was very nice to work with.

Easy to put together. Not top quality furniture, but for the price it is sturdy and attractive. A very useful addition to a mudroom.

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Whitmor 6060-322 Supreme 4-Tier Shelving Unit, Chrome

One person can set these up in a few minutes.

They look good, are solid as a rock, and absolutely stable.

Easily adjust any shelf thanks to convenient markings on the posts and clips that keep the shelf where you set it.

Actually 5-tier shelves since you can position the bottom shelf as high off the floor as you like and store stuff under it.

One useful configuration is to place the bottom shelf six inches off the ground, the next shelf six inches above that, the next shelf six inches below the top, and the top shelf at the top. That allows you to store shoes on the bottom shelf and under it, hang coats on the next to top shelf, and store gloves, hats and scarves on the next to top and top shelves. (I have one set up like this in my garage for winter coats, boots, gloves, etc.)

BTW, I feel that honest, effective reviews can take the place of first-hand experiences that are lacking in online shopping. I've always appreciated the help I've received from other reviewers and work hard to return the favor as best as I can. I hope you found this review helpful and if there was anything you thought was lacking or unclear leave a comment and I'll do what I can to fix it.

I've tried both this version of shelving and two other versions that were more plain, gray steel varieties that assembled with pre-formed rivets that slot together. One of those cut the heck out of my hands. The other had no sharp edges, but was extremely unstable during assembly, and effectively required two people to hold it together until fully framed.

Not only is this shelving much, much easier for a person to put together by himor herself, it is also much more stable that the alternatives. And, despite the fact that it's fairly light-weight (and thus easier to move than the alternatives), it's at least as solid. I'll buy more of these.

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....when it comes to shelving.

Like the previous reviewer, we tried many different metal shelves, but none are made as sturdy or with the same quality as Whitmor, and assembly is a breeze.

Not only do we use these shelves as basic storage, but they're so attractive that we also use the 4 tier chrome shelf as an entertainment unit. With each shelf holding up to 350 lbs., you have limitless possibilities.

You might pay a bit more for Whitmor, but the quality is well worth the price.

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I bought one of these specifically for my kitchen for extra appliance and canister storage and am very happy with the result. These shelves are strong, sturdy, and attractive enough to be on permanent display. As mentioned in another review, they are easy for one person to assemble. I'm quite pleased with them and will probably buy another in the near future.

One problem, for my intended application, that I didn't think about when I bought them: These are wire shelves, so there are gaps between the wires . Appliance cords dangle through the shelf wires; appliances sit cock-eyed when the feet don't line up with the wires, etc. However, this was rather easily solved: I made a quick trip to the hardware mega-store for some thin acrylic sheets (think Plexiglass) and a cheap plastic-scoring knife. I made a few measurements, scored the plastic with the knife, snapped off the excess and ended up with crystal-clear tops for each of the shelves.

Each wire shelf has a slight wire lip around it and my new plastic tops fit flush with the lip and were held in place by it. Now appliance cords don't hang down through the shelf; appliances don't sit cock-eyed and small items are safe. And, due to the angle of my kitchen lighting, you have to look very closely to even see the covers.

None of this takes away from these shelves. They'll serve you well for a long time.

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These shelves are super easy to assemble, they look great, and they hold a lot of stuff. I use them in my kitchen for my pots and pans. The nice thing about this shelving system is that you can hang things off the sides of the shelves.

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Winsome Milan Tall Storage Shelf with Baskets

The rattan drawers are adorable. Easy to assemble. I'm buying another one soon. If you like the look this will not disappoint. Read the measurements before buying to make sure it's what ya want.

It only took about three days to receive my order and I love it! I looked and looked in stores and on the internet for a linen cabinet to put in my small master bathroom. I wanted a corner unit but read too many reviews that said they looked great but weren't functional ... lucky if you could store a wash cloth let alone any towels. When I found this storage shelf it was exactly what I needed a small unit that could still be functional. It was easy to put together and didn't take alot of time. The wood finish looks great and the baskets will definitely hold my towels! It's a well made, sturdy unit. Best of all it was inexpensive but only because I went through this seller -look carefully at the base price and shipping costs of other dealers. It's unbelievable the differences in price for the same item! I would definitely purchase from this seller again!

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I purchased this cabinet hoping it would match the color of my new vanity; Mahogany. The match is perfect and I am absolutely thrilled with my purchase. My linen cabinet was over-run with products; falling each time I reached for something. This cabinet has been my ultimate solution; no more spillage or dropping things. Great decorative storage solution. Easy assembly.

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Purchased this for some additional storage. We got the item at about a week post order. The box was beat up a bit but the product survived no worse for wear. The shelf looks attractive, a little lighter in color than I expected...and does scratch easily as others have stated...by the baskets. I expected that though thanks to previous reviewers. It was rather easy and straight forward to assemble as well. My BF and I managed to put it together in less than 40 minutes without a single swear word. Great buy...I think.

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I'm redoing my bathroom is a rattan style and this fits in perfectly. Serves two purposes sets the style and provides loads of storage. I'm very impressed with the looks and the room it has in the basket-drawers. I can't store bath towels but just about everything else fits nicely. I'm very pleased with my puchase.

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Frenchi Home Furnishing 5 Tier Corner Stand, Cherry Color

Well, I was looking for something to use as a non-traditional nightstand, when I stumbled across this corner rack. It was just the sort of elegant-looking style I had in mind, plus at a price that can't be beaten! So I ordered it and eagerly awaited its arrival...

Once I got it, it was very easy to put together. I took my time so I wouldn't break anything like an idiot, and it went together smoothly and easily. Once fully assembled, it felt sturdy and solid. It did wobble on my carpet, but it was because the carpet was squishy, not because the legs were uneven (I tested it on a linoleum floor). I did notice that it's not the most stable thing in the world. It's tall and skinny, so it's a bit top heavy and I would not put a bunch of heavy stuff on the top shelves with nothing on the bottom. In fact, if you are planning to use it on carpet, I'd suggest placing a larger heavier item on the bottom shelf to weigh it down and discourage tipping. I'm planning to use a decorative trunk on that lower shelf, so that should work great. Be careful though, I don't know what weight rating it has, but the wood is thin, so I doubt it could handle anything too heavy. Certainly don't put a 50 lb. block of lead on the bottom shelf or anything.

As for the appearance of the unit, it looks nice once it's fully assembled. I daresay that this is the prettiest item of its type that your going to find for this price. The cherry stain is quite pretty, and it's got a medium gloss finish, but the undersides of the shelves are not finished, so bear that in mind. Oh, and I should mention that the product image shows a gold-colored decorative ring on all the shelves, but the one I got didn't have it. Weird. It doesn't bother me much, though, as it still looks fine.

Lastly, for anyone who's really dying to know, I'm going to provide a complete set of measurements of everything I can think of. The height is about 47.5 inches from the floor to the top of the highest shelf. Now I'll list the measures of the radii of the shelves (from the back corner to the outer edge). Please keep in mind that the shelves are slightly scalloped, so these measurements are approximate: 15 inches on the bottom shelf, 13.5 inches on the second to bottom shelf, 12 inches on the middle shelf, 10 inches on the second to top shelf, and 9 inches on the top shelf. Okay, so now I'm going to list width of each shelf, measuring from column to column (that way, you know how wide of a box you could set on any shelf): 14.5 inches on the bottom shelf, 12.5 inches on the second to bottom shelf, 10.5 inches on the middle shelf, 8.5 inches on the second to top shelf, and 8 inches on the top shelf. Also, there's 10.75 inches of space between each shelf. Well, that's all the relevant measurements I can think of. Enjoy!

I ordered this piece of furniture as a plant stand so that I could have a more compact place to keep plants in my dining room. If you are looking for a place to store larger plants you will be disappointed with this stand. The shelves are very small and, more importantly for me, the distance between shelves is very short (under 1 foot). In spite of the spatial ineptitudes of this stand I am very happy with it. I think it would work very well for someone looking for a unique way to display photos or some other small items. It does have some very pretty details and seems quite well made in general, especially for the price. It is sturdy enough for my uses but I doubt it would support too much weight. It is elegant looking and fits well in my dining room.

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I was a bit hesitant to purchase the shelf because of the "bargain" price. To my surprise and delight, the shelf was exactly what I needed: a plant stand for African violets. I purchase two, and I am glad that I did. The shelves are well-made and easy to put together. The shelves are in my office and colleagues have remarked on the shelves. I would recommend the shelves for light weight items, although they may be able to hold heavier items. Oh, one more thing the finish is very glossy, which I like for my use.

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This stand is nice; the cherry finish is good on top, but the undersides of shelves are not finished at all. The shelves are not as thick/sturdy as I would have liked and one leg was cracked (which I just put in the back at the top level). For $25, it wasn't worth returning and it does look good in the corner. There's about 12 inches between shelves and it holds books and knickknacks well.

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This is very nice. It looks good wherever you want it to put .There was a small empty space between the door and TV set (flat screen) in my bedroom just too small to put anything there...well, I was wrong! Since this bookcase took that spot, it became the most handy & useful area!! My night light, a cell power station, books and an alarm clock (

My salt rock night light is quite big & heavy but this bookcase has no problem. Very steady!! Don't underestimate this unbelievable low price bookcase.

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Gladiator Cadet CADET-7203 2-Door Storage Cabinet

This cabinet is great. I've had one for 3 years now and I just bought a second one. Ordered on Monday, the carrier called on Wednesday and it was delivered from a big semi on Thursday morning. The carrier brought it into my garage and let me inspect it before accepting delivery. You will need to install the footings and I had a problem with the door reinforcement channels being too long. I looked at my other cabinet and concluded it was a manufacturing defect. I had to trim the pieces with a tin snips in order to install the footings. This is the only reason for 4 stars instead of 5.

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Walker Edison 42 inch Morristown Wood TV Console

I searched for a tv stand for months and finally found this one. It was a little more money than I wanted to spend but it was exactly what I was looking for. I received it faster than what was projected and all pieces were intact. It was a little complicated and time consuming to put together but I was able to do it by myself. This stand is very sturdy and looks great! It is well worth the money and I am very satisfied with it.

This entertainment center is just what I was looking for. Shelves for the DVD player, stereo, etc. And specialized cabinets for the movies and CDs that keeps them out of sight yet easy to access. The one thing I would caution is that you need to have space on both sides for the doors to swing out, they're not like regular cabinet doors.

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Perfect for our needs! Easy to assemble! Looks sharp! Received in Great condition! Highly recommend!

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This is a good sturdy e-center. Really like the DVD storage. Easy to assemble. My only complaint is that we purchased the brown color and it looks more dark brown than brown.

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I love the look and design of this tv stand. My husband spent a long time putting it together and at the very end when it was time to attach the doors we discovered that the hinges were drilled on the same side as the door handles! Since we are outside the window to return the stand, I am going to have to deal directly with the manufacturer I guess. What a hassle!

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Legare 59-Inch by 31-Inch Bookcase

I bought this bookcase, the 18" wide bookcase, and the 36" straight desk plus the PDA shelf. I love this furniture. I am a disabled women in my sixties, but this furniture is so easy to assemble and takes very little time once you get it out of the box. No tools required. No toxic finishes are used in its manufacture and it's made from an eco-friendly sustainable resource. I wish Legare would make platform beds and dining tables.

This is an awesome concept... it's like putting Lincoln Logs together, but the piece is very sturdy.

Excellent value, looks great and what a conversation piece.

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Legare Furniture ... without doubt, the coolest furniture on the planet. It assembles out of the box in less than 1 minute with no tools, no hardware and no headache! Check out this video where a young lady assembles the Legare Bookcase in less than 1 minute! ... utterly amazing!!! All panels are finished on both sides, so you can flip the top or shelf to double the life of the product for years and years of use. Sturdy interlocking tab & slot assembly is based on a patented "forcing function" concept whereby each step in the assembly locks the preceding step in place ... it will literally hold hundreds of pounds of weight ... a rock solid design with tons of user friendly features like adjustable shelving, asymmetric reversibility, cable managment, modularity, portability, and the list goes on and on. This product is one of the finest values on Amazon.com!

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The bookshelf looks great and was easy to build. It was also packaged very well so there was no chance of it getting scratched.

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I love this bookcase! It is sleek, unique, and stylish. The light design and color brightens up the room and is unobtrusive. The bamboo is great--smooth and modern. It was so easy to set up. I would order all my furniture from this company if I could!