DeWalt 6 in Cantilever Bracket Set (2‑Piece)

A small upgrade that makes a big difference

Shop storage escalates quickly from tidy to tangled. The simplest fixes are often the best, and in my case, adding a pair of compact cantilever brackets to an existing rack turned a vertical frame into a genuinely useful lumber and pipe station. This DeWalt two‑arm set isn’t flashy—just powder‑coated steel and a locking pin—but it’s precisely the kind of accessory that earns its keep by doing one job well.

Design and build quality

Each arm is a short, stout length of powder‑coated steel measuring just over 7 inches long and roughly 2.75 inches wide. The footprint is intentionally compact so you can stack multiple pairs up a single upright without crowding your aisle. A 2.5‑inch flat end tab caps each arm to keep round stock from rolling off. It’s a simple detail that matters; conduit, dowels, and pipe stay put without needing secondary straps.

The arms seat into the rack’s slotted upright via welded hooks and secure with a cross pin. The steel work is clean for a utility product—smooth edges, consistent welds, and an even black finish. The powder coat holds up well to casual abrasion. After several weeks of sliding galvanized pipe, rebar, and wood across them, I’ve only managed to put a few light scuffs in the coating, with no flaking or bare metal showing.

Installation and adjustment

Installation is as straightforward as it gets: drop the hooks into the upright slots at the height you want and slide in the locking pin through the pre‑punched holes. No tools required. Because the arms are removable, you can reconfigure quickly as your storage needs change—raise one arm to create a slight pitch for round stock, or stagger heights to separate materials.

On compatible DeWalt uprights (I used the DXST series frames), alignment is exact and the pin engages cleanly. There’s no slop or rattle once both arms are pinned. The hardware pack includes what you need, and the pins are easy to handle with gloves on.

Capacity and performance

DeWalt rates these at 50 pounds per arm, 100 pounds per pair, provided the load is evenly distributed. That’s realistic for the geometry and short projection. To test the limits, I loaded one pair with eight construction 2x4s (about 35–40 pounds total) and another with six 10‑foot lengths of 1‑inch EMT plus a coil of 12‑2 Romex (around 30–35 pounds). No perceptible deflection, no creaking, and no movement at the hooks. I also used the pair for an extension ladder that spans both arms; the arms are short, but with the ladder balanced, it’s a sensible parking spot that frees a lot of floor space.

These are not deep cantilever arms for sheet goods or heavy cast iron. The 7.31‑inch projection is ideal for sticks, pipe, trim, clamps, and compact items. If you routinely hang 8/4 hardwood or store dense bar stock, you’ll either want additional pairs to distribute the load or a heavy‑duty cantilever system built for higher point loads.

Everyday utility

The biggest win is how much these improve material handling around a rack. I staged rough lumber on the lower pair and trim pieces on an upper pair, keeping both sorted and off the floor. The flat end tab quietly does its job: PVC and conduit stay corralled even when I bump the rack or slide pieces one‑handed. Because the arms are short, they don’t create a shin trap in the aisle. And with multiple pairs up a single upright, it’s easy to create a vertical “tree” of materials without interfering with shelves.

One tip: bare steel can mark freshly planed wood or painted ladder rails. A quick sleeve of clear vinyl tubing or a strip of adhesive foam weatherseal on the arm prevents scuffs and adds grip, especially in colder shops where powder coat gets slick.

Compatibility reality check

These brackets are designed for DeWalt’s DXST4500 (4‑foot) and DXST10000 (6‑foot) rack uprights. On those frames, fit is precise and the locking pins function as intended. I also tried the arms on two non‑DeWalt racks out of curiosity. On one brand, the hooks fit the slots but the pin holes didn’t line up with the upright, so the pin served more as a friction stop than a true lock. On another, the slot geometry didn’t accept the hooks without modification. That’s not a fault of the brackets—they’re engineered to the DeWalt pattern—but it’s worth stating plainly: if you’re planning to use these on a different rack system, verify the hole spacing and slot profile first. The arms may hang, but the pin may not engage, and that’s a compromise I wouldn’t recommend for heavier loads.

Stability and safety

With properly engaged pins on the intended uprights, the setup is solid. The short arm length keeps bending moments low, and the rack upright takes the load efficiently. As always, the bigger safety picture matters: anchor your rack to the wall or floor, keep heavy items on lower levels, and respect the per‑arm rating. For round stock, avoid point‑loading with a single piece concentrated at the end of the arm; spreading weight across the full length keeps you inside the intended use.

Durability over time

After repeated use, the powder coat shows predictable polish where materials slide, but no rust or chipping. Welds are tidy and the end tab remains straight even with minor bumps from loading pipe. The pins haven’t mushroomed or bent. Because the system is mechanical rather than spring‑loaded, there’s little to wear out. The one‑year limited warranty is modest but reasonable for a steel accessory with no moving parts beyond the pin.

Limitations and nitpicks

• Depth is the main constraint. At a hair over seven inches, these aren’t a solution for large panels or deep items. That’s by design, but it’s worth planning around.
• The arms don’t include padding. If you store finished materials, add a protective sleeve.
• Brand specificity can be a frustration. Outside of DeWalt uprights, fit is hit or miss, and pin alignment is the first thing to fail.
• Only one pair per set. Most users will want at least two pairs to create multiple tiers or longer spans across two uprights.

Value and use cases

As an accessory for an existing DeWalt rack, these hit a sweet spot: quick to install, space‑efficient, and strong enough for most day‑to‑day shop materials. They shine as a pipe and trim solution, a landing spot for a ladder, or a perch for clamps and offcuts. If you’re outfitting a full materials rack, consider buying multiple sets; spacing them every foot or so up the upright creates a flexible vertical bin that’s far tidier than a barrel of sticks in the corner.

If you don’t own a DeWalt rack, I’d look for brand‑matched arms or universal cantilever brackets with adjustable locks to ensure a secure pinning mechanism. The last thing you want is a mismatch that only “sort of” locks in place.

Recommendation

I recommend this bracket set for anyone running DeWalt DXST‑series uprights who needs a compact, stout way to store long or round materials. The build quality is clean, the installation is tool‑free, and the 50‑pound per‑arm rating is honest for its size. The 2.5‑inch end tab is a small but meaningful safeguard against roll‑offs, and the powder‑coated finish holds up well in a working shop. The primary caveat is compatibility: these are purpose‑built for DeWalt’s rack geometry. On other brands, the hooks may fit but the locking pin often won’t, and that undermines the safety and stability that make these worth using. If you’re within the DeWalt ecosystem, they’re an easy yes. If you’re not, confirm fitment first or choose a bracket designed for your uprights.