Best garage use for old lockers?

[Outlawmws]

I just got a pair of 12X12 lockers for free, door frames are 61" tall, and the back to the ground is 6 foot, (they have the sloped tops, and short legs)

They need some work and definitely to be painted, but the doors in particular are sound.

I've see these taller lockers used vertically, and seen them on their sides with the doors dropping down and with a light chain/cable so they stop in the flat position.

So my question is what have people seen these used for (What was stored in them) in a garage setting or used for themselves? Just brainstorming here...

 

[vartz04]

Flanking a workbench, with a top over it with a light mounted and then a pegboard back wall between them over the bench top.

Would make a nice little work station.

 

[SIDECAR BOB]

Keep the kids in them so you can work.

 

[Outlawmws]

Keep the kids in them so you can work.

Nah; these days they are all big enough to put to work! (My youngest girl was helping me with tire mounting yesterday...)

 

[Murphy4570]

I would use them as lockers for work clothes. Change at the shop, no need to wear greasy dirty clothes in your truck to and from work.

 

[dsprint2000]

Mine is used to store spray paints and parts/oils/items for all the 2-stroke items.

David

 

[cheechi]

They would make great vertical supports for almost anything you wanted to put in between them, be it shelves, a closet bar (lots of storage possibilities with free hanging/suspended items), light fixture, etc.

Personally I would love to have several lockers the size you see in gyms; the ones in high school were either tall & skinny or the double height where you hated to be the kid with the bottom one. I've seen a few gyms and clubs where they are both the right height and width, those are very nice lockers to have. Personally I'd put shelves inside most but keep one for hanging shop gear.

 

[srmofo]

weld some shelves in them and use it for spray can or hardware (in 12" deep plastic bins) storage

 

[NUTTSGT]

Like a few other posts, I'd probably use them for paints and oils. Possibly with the correct height shelves, books and manuals.

 

[A29]

I just get a set of six double lockers. Put shelves in some and hung stuff in others. $15 bucks at a yard sale.

 

[evildky]

I recently bought one to store my canopy and folding chairs, I thought a seceond could be used for welding jacket, gloves, hats etc, just depends on your needs

 

[K04GTI]

They look too skinny, but would golf bags fit in them?

 

[5lima30]

Mine is used to store spray paints and parts/oils/items for all the 2-stroke items.

David

+1! Thats what I've been looking for! They have gotten scarce lately.

 

[Graymills - Craig]

weld some shelves in them and use it for spray can or hardware (in 12" deep plastic bins) storage

+1

I store gallon paint cans in them. It beats stacking them, which frequently ends in tears...

 

[Zane]

I did something a bit different with the lockers that I had gotten for free out of a Sports Clips that was being remolded. Mine are different than yours as i was able to cut them in half and make a base for a work bench out of them. I made wooden shelving in them to store spray paint, paint cans, oil, etc..

 

[Steevo]

I did something a bit different with the lockers that I had gotten for free out of a Sports Clips that was being remolded. Mine are different than yours as i was able to cut them in half and make a base for a work bench out of them. I made wooden shelving in them to store spray paint, paint cans, oil, etc..

I really like those wide, low ones. Looks like a useful size.
I have passed up a lot of 2 or 3-high by x-wide locker sections at auctions because I couldn't (still can't) think of a good use for them in my workspace. If I am going to take up wall space, it had better provide me a great deal of utility to do so.

 

[Outlawmws]

Flanking a workbench, with a top over it with a light mounted and then a pegboard back wall between them over the bench top.

Would make a nice little work station.

I'm kind of liking this idea, but the real deal is what to put in them; the 12X12 "floor plan" is somewhat limiting. Hmmmm... A third unit, if long enough, could go horizontally between two used as "pillars" as a locking "bookshelf"...

I would use them as lockers for work clothes. Change at the shop, no need to wear greasy dirty clothes in your truck to and from work.

At a workplace that is not a bad idea, but these are for home use, so somewhat limiting for that use

weld some shelves in them and use it for spray can or hardware (in 12" deep plastic bins) storage

Spray paint storage I've got well covered in a shelf over my pick-a-nut selector and the machine screws bins. It even has an "earthquake bar" to keep them there in the event... Fastener hardware (and nails) I have covered (see below)

+1

I store gallon paint cans in them. It beats stacking them, which frequently ends in tears...

House paint I do stack, but I use the 4 can carton/trays to hold them, so that is fairly stable up to about 4 ft high, especially if you have 2 stacks and put a thin sheet of ply or even cardboard between the layers about 3 ft up to stabilize the stack.

They look too skinny, but would golf bags fit in them?

I doubt the 12 X 12 would take a golf bag unless a 40's/50's skinny bag, much less the about 10" opening between the angle iron front frame. I'm not a golfer anyway so a moot point in any case.

I did something a bit different with the lockers that I had gotten for free out of a Sports Clips that was being remolded. Mine are different than yours as i was able to cut them in half and make a base for a work bench out of them. I made wooden shelving in them to store spray paint, paint cans, oil, etc..

I like that but something look out of whack, the installed lockers look wider that the starting pics?

I really like those wide, low ones. Looks like a useful size.
I have passed up a lot of 2 or 3-high by x-wide locker sections at auctions because I couldn't (still can't) think of a good use for them in my workspace. If I am going to take up wall space, it had better provide me a great deal of utility to do so.

Exactly why I started the thread! I like the idea of a locker, but I want it to be worthwhile! I have nothing invested except a short trip to go pick them up, and the time I've spent completely dissembling them to flatten out dings and kinks and such (My homemade sheet metal tongs have been doing some overtime...), and to prep them for painting.

I'm thinking about removing the middle divider and making shelves so they go 2 ft wide, and it occurs to me making them deeper would only require two new sheet metal sides, and a top. the real value in the find are the doors and door frames with all the hinge/latching hardware.

 

[vartz04]

If they are at the work bench I would put shelves in them. Then you can put anything, air tools, cordless tools, Charging station/batteries for cordless tools, rags, those little tackle box trays full of small parts/electrical parts. Spray cans, Snacks, there is tons of stuff I just don't know what you have to store in them.

 

[Outlawmws]

If they are at the work bench I would put shelves in them. Then you can put anything, air tools, cordless tools, Charging station/batteries for cordless tools, rags, those little tackle box trays full of small parts/electrical parts. Spray cans, Snacks, there is tons of stuff I just don't know what you have to store in them.

Now THAT is an idea I had not considered, but am now!

Shelves and appropriate racks, maybe even a door rack for the air chucks and air gauges...

 

[losttechnician]

If they are at the work bench I would put shelves in them. Then you can put anything, air tools, cordless tools, Charging station/batteries for cordless tools, rags, those little tackle box trays full of small parts/electrical parts. Spray cans, Snacks, there is tons of stuff I just don't know what you have to store in them.

Beat me to it. I have only one like this, but almost all of my power tools that store in the case fit right in. The bottom holds lead ingots that have not gotten poured into bullets yet. I don't think I will have to worry about the locker tipping....

 

[brownbagg]

trash pile

 

[Outlawmws]

Beat me to it. I have only one like this, but almost all of my power tools that store in the case fit right in. The bottom holds lead ingots that have not gotten poured into bullets yet. I don't think I will have to worry about the locker tipping....

Even if they would support the weight, The lead I have waiting to be cast wouldn't fit in both of these together.

 

[rsitser]

I did something a bit different with the lockers that I had gotten for free out of a Sports Clips that was being remolded. Mine are different than yours as i was able to cut them in half and make a base for a work bench out of them. I made wooden shelving in them to store spray paint, paint cans, oil, etc..

I did the same thing with the wood shelving, worked nice.
bob

 

[Kurn]

I would take one of 'em and cut the legs off,fab a bracket to hang on your bottom box,and paint to match.Great for prybars and long stuff,and you just saved yourself hundreds of dollars for a "real" side locker.I'm actually planning to do this,just gotta find one.

 

[Rust]

Even if they would support the weight, The lead I have waiting to be cast wouldn't fit in both of these together.

Load up the lead and the lockers in the back of the pick-up and take them all to the scrap yard.
Profit.
Just trying to help

 

[Zane]

I like that but something look out of whack, the installed lockers look wider that the starting pics?

Well, I cut them in half and chop the lower legs off so it might be a bit of an allusion. Rest assured, they are the same lockers my friend.

 

[JC23]

Have a set of twin lockers. Made steel shelves and used pop rivets to mount em.

And yeah, great fer rattle cans....

 

[nonhog]

I cut the louvers out of old locker doors, then welded on my Toy 4X hood.
Hard to find someone who punches louvers that wide.

The tool storage idea is best. IMO.

 

[Outlawmws]

Well, I cut them in half and chop the lower legs off so it might be a bit of an allusion. Rest assured, they are the same lockers my friend.

So how wide are the one you have?

 

[Zane]

So how wide are the one you have?

Sorry this took so long to reply. Total width of the lockers are 18 inches.

 

[SpydyrWyr]

If you're hard pressed to find things to fill them up with, you could always use them for storage of long, narrow scrap. 6' and shorter scrap lumber, dowels, rods, or narrow enough leftover strips of plywood, etc. It would be easy to inventory/access the various pieces and would be hidden upon closing the door.

 

[BigWil]

I have a 24" x 24" locker custom made out of 16 gauge sheet metal. It's my gun cabinet.

If you have little kids around, I'd consider using the lockers to store all your chemicals, with a padlock. Things like rat poison, heavy duty cleaners, and the like.

 

[lowbucktruck]

I have a 24" x 24" locker custom made out of 16 gauge sheet metal. It's my gun cabinet.

If you have little kids around, I'd consider using the lockers to store all your chemicals, with a padlock. Things like rat poison, heavy duty cleaners, and the like.

That is what I use my lockers for, hazardous chemical storage and painting supplies. Mine are larger, about 3-feet wide and 2-feet deep I think. I have one locker that I need to make shelves for, haven't gotten a round-toit yet. Will post a pic later.

 

[Exceller8]

I would use them as lockers for work clothes. Change at the shop, no need to wear greasy dirty clothes in your truck to and from work.

I just got a single locker and that is a great idea, thanks!

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Actually for home use a locker for working clothes is a good use, especially in a home without a mudroom of sorts. Even here I need a place fr my coveralls so I don't have to drag them into the house. Right now I've got my welding coveralls draped over y chair in the garage. My ech coveralls are somewhere upstairs. Would be nice to keep them all together in the garage where I need them. Same for work caps, gloves, shoes etc. Heck, even rec gear like motorcycle stuff.

I'd halfway think about them for a safety locker for aerosols, solvents and such but them being louvered and perforated that doesn't seem as appropriate as a sealed cabinet.

Anyway, just my thinking based on my garage. Let us know what you do.

 

[BigWil]

Actually for home use a locker for working clothes is a good use, especially in a home without a mudroom of sorts. Even here I need a place fr my coveralls so I don't have to drag them into the house. Right now I've got my welding coveralls draped over y chair in the garage. My ech coveralls are somewhere upstairs. Would be nice to keep them all together in the garage where I need them. Same for work caps, gloves, shoes etc. Heck, even rec gear like motorcycle stuff.

I'd halfway think about them for a safety locker for aerosols, solvents and such but them being louvered and perforated that doesn't seem as appropriate as a sealed cabinet.

Anyway, just my thinking based on my garage. Let us know what you do.

them being louvred and perforated is better...it will allow any spills to evaporate and dissipate vs collecting in a sealed area.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

them being louvred and perforated is better...it will allow any spills to evaporate and dissipate vs collecting in a sealed area.

Hadn't thought of that - makes sense. I was thinking of it like a slow gas leak.

 

[HandsomeDan]

Turn them horizontal, hang them above your workbench as short cabinets for small things. mount a light to the underside. :shrug:

 

[daveroy]

If I could find some cheap enough and of the right size I would love a set of locker boxes for the motorcycle helmts, and a taller one for the coats and other gear!

 

[rustyjames]

Turn them horizontal, hang them above your workbench as short cabinets for small things. mount a light to the underside. :shrug:

That's what I did, cut off the legs and turned them horizonal with the doors opening downward.