Wow, thanks very much guys, these are really helpful ideas. To be honest, not all that thrilled with my design now, anyway - it's a kind of L-shaped support system with dowels bored into the upright 4 x 4's. Not nearly enough support between the three dowels per shelf, as they jut out 2'. Everything tilts downwards as you go towards the outer edge.
You can see my setup here:
Uh, here, rather:
Not the best shot, but at least you can get an idea what I mean. I'd love 2 x 12's smolt, thanks for the idea on the joists, very clever. And Terry, thanks too on that source. I'll check them out.
John, ideally, spruce but in all honesty anything that doesn't impart off-character to the ripening cheeses. I use SPF now, no idea what it is, actually. But the smoothness takes some management in terms of my rinds.
-btw, I'm heading out of town likely for the Upper Peninsula this week, so to those who celebrate it, happy thanksgiving, y'all. To everyone in this community, happy - forevermore.
Edit: glasses, Paul, glasses. Helps look like you're writing in an actual language....