Submitted by mojojojo2842 t3_124qs4c in DIY
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I just was given a Haier HC27SF10RB mini fridge from my workplace, which is shutting down. It works great, but is missing the two wire shelves. I've researched online and even asked r/HelpMeFind, but the only ones available do not ship to Canada. Is there a way I could make these myself? This is the part I'm looking to replicate. I've debated trying a baking rack or something similar, but I'm not confident. Do you have any ideas?
What little plastic end caps are you referring to exactly? I really like this idea - have been considering it myself already - but don't want to risk causing any damage to the fridge.
These:
They are usually sold right by the shelves and shelf brackets.
Thank you! I'll definitely take a look.
Bolt cutters
Convenient . . . but not worth the investment, unless they will be used again many more times.
Hold on. Last time I bought wire shelves by the foot they had a bolt cutter in the department. Had to because it was by the foot.
Yup. Measure ahead of time, maybe even make a cardboard template, cut in store.
Hacksaw and patience. Or angle grinder and glasses.
Don't even need a beefy angle grinder. I've cut those exact same shelves with a dremel and a cutting wheel, takes just a few seconds to go through each bar.
I had the same issue and got some 1/4" thick acrylic sheets at the home improvement store. Cut them with a sawzall or fine tooth hack saw or jigsaw. Masking tape over the line you cut to prevent it from chipping or cracking.
fancy! id go with an oscillating tool for the cutting
Thank you, I'll look into that!
As one user said above most big box home improvement stores have a cutter in the department with the shelving. You can buy just a few feet of it and the little caps and walk out with it the right size.
Flex apparently not an issue?
Not for me. I used 1/4" acrylic sheet. You can probably get thicker. Also depends on how it's supported and what you're keeping in there. I think 1/4" in a mini fridge for sodas, snacks, a lunch bag would be fine.
I might drill a few holes in the shelf to promote even temperature distribution. Modern full size fridges tens to have solid shelves, but the interior is built such that the air flows around them sufficiently. If the fridge was designed with solid shelves in mind you might want a few holes
You can use wire baking trays and cut them to size, but I have to ask - why do you NEED wire trays except to look similar?
Just regular all metal plate baking trays would be far simpler to cut to size.
They don't need to be wire! I just thought that would probably be the easiest solution. It's easier to trim a small wire shelf to size with bolt cutters or wire cutters than it is for me to cut metal, unless I got some new tools. I'm also just generally worried about rough edges damaging the fridge, but that's an issue regardless of material.
You'd want to go with wire shelves. The cooling all comes ambient from the freezer drawer. Solid shelves will block the cold dispersing. Probably not a big deal if this is just going to be a drink fridge, more of an issue for spoilable foods/medicines
Not sure it matters that much, I had a mini fridge with glass shelves out of the box. They’re not very big so there’s enough air circulation through the door region. Cost is probably what decides if they’re glass or wire.
Interesting, I've only ever seen wire shelves in them. But admittedly it's been a few years since I've shopped for mini-fridges. Learn something new every day!
If the fridge came with solid shelves it was built to work with them. If it came with wire shelves it wasn't necessarily designed to work with solid ones.
Actually I stand corrected. as that is indeed a fair point. Thank you for pointing that out - go for the wire shelves.
Get a Dremel with a cutting wheel (usually a few come in a kit with the tool). You'll find it very useful throughout the years beyond this DIY project. I've used that exact thing to cut these exact same wire shelves from HD for my pantry. You can also use the grinding wheel (also usually comes with a basic kit) to smooth the rough ends before you cap them. Cutting each bar only takes a few seconds with practice. And don't forget safety glasses! :D
The Chicago Electric rotary tools from Harbor Freight work great if you only need it for the odd project here and there. $25 for the tool and a set of attachments, plus then you have one on hand for the future. I've used one and a few name brand Dremels over the years and it really is just as good (even if it may not last as long).
May be worth picking up an actual Dremel brand reinforced cutoff wheel to go with it, though. Those things chew through anything and take a real beating before breaking.
Seconded. I have a ton of Harbor Freight stuff in my garage and it's all been pretty solid. And agreed on the reinforced cutting wheels. I snap the "normal" ones constantly, so I only use the reinforced ones now. And the ones with the EZ Lock are fantastic for ease in swapping them out.
Yes, they need to be wire so that the cold air circulates through the entire fridge. Also look on appliance parts and rebuy the original shelves.
i was thinking that too. airflow might be an issue, since the whole thing "cools" from the "freezer"
I did something like this once for a garage beer fridge using custom cut plywood. I realize it's not the most sanitary idea but hear me out. I got good quality board dense board. Then I painted it with 1 part epoxy to make it as moisture resistant as possible. there was really only cans of beer & pops in there, so I wasn't concerned much. I never had any mold or mildew because I just made sure it was clean and dry. It's a cheap option and you can cut it exact if you have some wood working skills. This is reddit so I would expect a million down votes about how dangerous and irresponsible this is but blah blah blah.
I googled RF-6350-233 and found it from 50+ retailers (some are no doubt just different store fronts for the same supplier); hard to imagine no one ships to Canada.
However, based on the low value of this appliance, I would not spend that much money on it.
Take measurements and keep them and a tape measure with you whenever you are out shopping. Eventually you will find something that will fit (or you can cut to fit) that will work - cutting board, lid for a plastic bin, etc.)
A lot of places do have a listing for this specific part, but when you actually go to the listing page it says it is no longer available from the manufacturer. It's essentially a placeholder for people who look up their fridge and want to see what the parts are. The few places I've found that actually DO have it available for purchase do not ship to Canada, I've even called them to confirm.
I've been keeping an eye out already, I just wasn't sure what the "best" way to DIY it would be. I want to be sure whatever I use is decently sturdy and won't damage the fridge, but who knows what I'll end up doing lol. In the end it's a free fridge so I can't complain.
dollar store pans might be made to fit. buy some tin snips.
I would think a cooling rack or baking tray insert would indeed be the best option. Those come in stainless, so no need to worry about coatings or caps, so if you can't find the exact size, you should be good to just cut one down to size and debur/smooth the cut ends without worrying about rust down the line.
Do you have any American friends you would trust to order and send on to you?
Holy shit I’ve been needing to do this for my refrigerator
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Why not cut down and re-plasticize the ends of wire shelving from Home Depot?
Like this stuff (it comes in shorter lengths) https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubbermaid-FastTrack-Garage-Wire-Shelf-48-in-D-x-16-in-L-FG5E2102SNCKL/100387764
Do you not have any contact in the U.S. who’d be willing to receive them and then ship them on?
what about a sheet of glass cut to size?
Probably the original shelves are wire mesh to allow the cold air to circulate. I'd look for a steel/appliance recycling place which ought to have lots of these little refrigerators. Or maybe cut a shelf out of milk crate plastic.
What would be the best way to get glass cut?
Some hardware stores will do it, or you can ask at a glass (window or windshield installation, probably) company
I wouldn't do anything solid. The shelves need to allow airflow.
This, but plexiglass. Home Depot sells sheets of them and they're easy to cut. Maybe get a thicker one if you will have heavier stuff
JerseyWiseguy t1_je0e3xw wrote
Get some wire closet shelves from Home Depot or a similar place. Cut them to size with a hacksaw. Buy the little plastic end caps to put over the cuts.