Build site: tool management?

[laurie71]

Getting ready to start framing on my garage build and I got to thinking about the logistics of tool storage when not working... I'll have a chop saw, table saw, skill saw, drills/drivers, nailers, compressor, hand tools and so on. What do I do with it all when I'm done working for the day?...

I saw an old panel van for sale just down the road for $500 and almost grabbed it as a movable tool shed, but didn't pull the trigger and missed it... I thought about getting a "garage in a box" and setting it up beside the build, that could work well.

Or I could just leave everything in the middle of the slab with a tarp thrown over it (not much risk of someone walking in and stealing everything here).

What I don't want to do is haul everything "off site" to the barn piece by piece every day... Although, I do have a small not-fit-for-road-use utility trailer I could load everything onto to haul across the property... hmm... that could work...

What would you guys do?

 

[matt_i]

Or I could just leave everything in the middle of the slab with a tarp thrown over it (not much risk of someone walking in and stealing everything here).

If there is minimal risk of theft then there's just weather. I would use the tarp until you get the roof on, use timber or other building materials to hold it down. If you are using housewrap a piece of that cut off the roll is more waterproof than a tarp...

Could get a job-box but the tarp will be a lot less expensive.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I have a couple of truck boxes that sometimes are tasked with job or site specific tool holdage. ie. hammer nail gun, pry bar, skill, shims, nails, etc all in one box. Not the most secure, but it does keep the rain off. Job boxes are better, but the truck boxes are often free or cheap.

 

[rockettgpw]

Even with a low theft risk a shiny new site box will be a beacon to any crooks that let their curiosity follow the signs of construction traffic down your drive way, if you can make it look like there is nothing there that you care about it will give visitors less reason to investigate further. The old van idea is great if it can look abandoned and unloved.
Always best to completely remove the temptation though and if you can make the trailer work you know that all your stuff will be dry and safe at your house.
For the trailer you could set up plywood dividers or pockets for each tool or range of tools so that you can see at a glance at the end of the day what is not packed up. Might be a bit of messing around at first but could save leaving an expensive tool out to get wet or pinched.
I haven't built in rural(?) yet, when I was working on the front of my place for months I would always tuck my gear behind the porch wall and roll up the extension lead when I went for lunch so to not invite the crooks.

Thieves will notice building activity, don't make it easy for them. Is this a site that can be entered without attention from yourself or neighbours? if so crooks will have time to break in to storage.

All the best for your build.

 

[MushCreek]

When I started our build, I had no other structures on the property. I used my van to store what I needed (Major PITA to drag the generator out every day). First up, I built a shed to store tools. Then I built the barn, and then the house.

Evaluate what you really need to start building. I used a 12" chop saw on a rolling stand, but when the framing crew framed my barn, they only used circular saws and a compressor, period. I didn't use my table saw until I got into cabinets, way down the road. My compressor is a 'wheelbarrow' type, and rolls easily, but that little sucker is heavy! I used mostly cordless tools for my build, even the circular saw.

 

[Playwme]

I have old cars for all my tools on the farm. Rav 4’s, corolla wagons. Got the generator in one, another has the trolley jack and toolbox.

 

[red61cj5]

an enclosed trailer is the best bet. Storage and mobility. Sometimes you can find old horse trailers really cheap, but the basic 12 ft, white aluminum enclosed trailers aren't too bad to buy. And you've still got a trailer at the end.

 

[laurie71]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Yeah, the enclosed trailer idea has a lot of appeal; I forgot to mention that in my original post, but I've been keeping an eye on craig's list for a good deal.

In the end I'll probably go with keeping everything on site under a tarp unless / until a better option pops up; and maybe switch to using the trailer if I don't have the roof on by the time winter weather starts rolling in.

I think I'll start watching CL for job boxes too, that seems like a good option. I'm also on the lookout for a cheap bucket truck; it occurs to me that one of those would provide a lot of on board tool storage!

 

[ItsNemo]

Just quickly frame up an 8x8x8 box on the slab, throw a lock on it, call it a day.

 

[laurie71]

Well that's a nice, simple and effective solution... Thanks!

 

[MushCreek]

It took me about a weekend and $1200 to build my 8X12 shed, and now, I have a shed! It's good practice before the 'main event', too.

 

[6768rogues]

For the $500, you could have a storage container delivered, keep it for a few months, and have it taken away. It would provide room for tools and some materials.

 

[Richard Cranium]

around here they would steal trailer and all

 

[bczygan]

Getting ready to start framing on my garage build and I got to thinking about the logistics of tool storage when not working... I'll have a chop saw, table saw, skill saw, drills/drivers, nailers, compressor, hand tools and so on. What do I do with it all when I'm done working for the day?...

I saw an old panel van for sale just down the road for $500 and almost grabbed it as a movable tool shed, but didn't pull the trigger and missed it... I thought about getting a "garage in a box" and setting it up beside the build, that could work well.

Or I could just leave everything in the middle of the slab with a tarp thrown over it (not much risk of someone walking in and stealing everything here).

What I don't want to do is haul everything "off site" to the barn piece by piece every day... Although, I do have a small not-fit-for-road-use utility trailer I could load everything onto to haul across the property... hmm... that could work...

What would you guys do?

Where is this........exactly?

HF trailer.

Some kind of box on it.

Take home and park in garage every night.

Bill

 

[bad_idea]

20' conex box isn't a bad idea if you have the space and the county won't throw a fit. You can sell it for what you got in it after you are done. Rig up some temporary lights inside, and it makes a good work space too.

 

[slip knot]

You can rent a conex too. the local contractors do it all the time.

 

[ford33]

I would not leave your tools under a tarp. It's too easy and tempting for thieves to take your stuff.

I think there are good storage idea's presented.

Good luck on your garage construction.

 

[laurie71]

It took me about a weekend and $1200 to build my 8X12 shed, and now, I have a shed! It's good practice before the 'main event', too.

Ha! I have a shed, a small pole barn and the big barn, so I definitely don't need another shed

Obviously I could use any of those structures for tool storage, but they're on the other side of the house; I don't want to spend an hour hauling tools around at the start and (especially) at the end of each day.

For the $500, you could have a storage container delivered, keep it for a few months, and have it taken away. It would provide room for tools and some materials.

Another good idea. I'll have to look into this one.

around here they would steal trailer and all

Where is this........exactly?

wned:

HF trailer.

Some kind of box on it.

Take home and park in garage every night.

Bill

This build is in back of my house. The house is about 350 to 400 feet back from the road, and the garage is a couple hundred feet further back. Thanks to my dogs, a possum couldn't get near the slab without me knowing about it, let alone a thief!

20' conex box isn't a bad idea if you have the space and the county won't throw a fit. You can sell it for what you got in it after you are done. Rig up some temporary lights inside, and it makes a good work space too.

You can rent a conex too. the local contractors do it all the time.

I'll have to check what's available locally to buy or rent in terms of conex boxes and other storage containers. I like the idea of something that can house the tools *and* let me work in the dry when the weather is bad.

I would not leave your tools under a tarp. It's too easy and tempting for thieves to take your stuff.

I think there are good storage idea's presented.

Good luck on your garage construction.

See above re. thieves. I'm glad I started this thread, though, there are lots of good suggestions already.

 

[laurie71]

Found my solution... I was at tractor supply and stumbled on one of these tool storage boxes mis-shelved where one of these should have been.

They had to honour the price as marked on the shelf (per company policy and, I think, by law), which they did. I was going to let them off the hook, but the store manage came back with, "are you sure? I have to give it to you at that price, so if you want it..."

So I took it home.

 

[bad_idea]

Outstanding service. I'm impressed.

Is that enough space? You went from a 20' Conex down to a 44" tool box.