Cheap temporary garage shelving

[esvee]

I moved across the country leaving my two-car 18x19 with painted white walls, rustbullet floor, workbench, shelving and gratuitous lighting behind ()

We've also moved into an apartment complex until we can buy a house, but fortunately, it comes with a garage. Its a standard 10x20 with stud and osb construction and I've already done what I can to attach as many things to studs with nails as possible, but I've still got a bunch of storage totes, toolboxes and cardboard boxes I'd really like to get in a position where I can get to them without having to move whatever is on top of them. Floor space is a premium because I've also got three motorcycles and a toolchest in there.

TL;DR:

Cheap shelving for heavy boxes (~30lbs max)
Doesnt attach to the walls
Temporary, we're hopefully out of here in two years or less.

Any ideas?

 

[CJ7VFR]

If you can't attach things to the walls, how about some Gorilla Racks?

They are easy to put up with just a rubber mallet, easy to take down with the same mallet, the shelves can be arranged to accommodate tall things, short things, or things below the shelves on the floor. And they can hold some pretty heavy items.

And because you can take them apart easily, that means when you find your forever home, you can easily take the racks with you.

Jim

 

[AE2]

Wire shelving units from Sam's Club. Six feet tall and 4 feet wide with six shelves each. If you buy two units and build them both at the same time, you can essentially make three units with 4 shelves each by interweaving the shelves between the two.

 

[risc]

It doesn't get much cheaper than 2x4's and plywood. If you cut the plywood into reasonable sizes and don't notch it, it could be reused for your next project.

We don't have Sam's Club in Portland, I think the closest is in California. Home Depot has some racks for $159. You could probably resell them for $99 in a day on Craig's list when you move so the cost of ownership is pretty low.

 

[Gizmosity]

Wire shelving units from Sam's Club. Six feet tall and 4 feet wide with six shelves each. If you buy two units and build them both at the same time, you can essentially make three units with 4 shelves each by interweaving the shelves between the two.

This. I got mine at Costco. They were $79 at the time. I couldn't build anything cheaper......and I'm cheap. These things are bombproof and very configurable. I have had 5 of them for 15 years. Still use them in the basement and garage.

 

[-Brent-]

How much shelving do you need? What length would work best? Same Q for the depth?

The reason I ask because lumber could be the least expensive if, say, you wanted to go 10 or 12 feet wide and 6+ foot high. If you want to go less (width/height/depth) the 4x6 Edsal (or similar) for $50 (Walmart may be the way to go)?

 

[ilovevocs]

The xtreme garage shelving at menards is a good value. The wire shelving is useless and the osb warps. I would use a t&g board or two layers of 3/4 ply if I did it again. The racking and accessories are very nice and interchangeable.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Use old pallet wood, Free and easy.

 

[matt_i]

I would take a look at pallet racking, ideally good,used. Some reasons are you can easily shelf over your rolling stock, it will hold a lot of weight, you can configure the shelf heights to match cardboard boxes, and it basically knocks together with a dead blow hammer (thinking of the teardrop-punched uprights). I would think you could likely sell it for about what you bought it for if its not going to make the next move.

 

[ard]

Craigslist

There is always someone selling wire racks they bought at Costco or HD or SAMs for 50 cents on the dollar.

 

[red61cj5]

cinder blocks and 2x10's. Reusable, recyclable, expandable.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Since it's temporary, I'd try looking on CL first to see if you can find some shelving units cheap. Maybe check out GovDeals in your location also. Next up, thrift stores, pawn shops, flea markets or swap meets.

If you still can't find anything, check out some of the items mentioned above. If you find something nice and well built, buy it for the long haul.

 

[bulletpruf]

Bumping an old thread. Looking for something along these lines, too. Need to set up a temporary garage for 2 years or so.

Edit - something along these lines would work, but it's not cheap - https://www.costco.com/saferacks-garage-shelving.product.100480517.html - the 24" x 72" x 84" is $200.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Buy used. You can find lighter duty instrustrial rack from companies or stores downsizing, etc. Then just sell it when you are done for close to what you paid.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

HF, I bought a few of these and there not bad. although they have raised the price from $39 and they were on sale before for $32

 

[bulletpruf]

Buy used. You can find lighter duty instrustrial rack from companies or stores downsizing, etc. Then just sell it when you are done for close to what you paid.

I have been looking at used stuff; have seen a few that were close, but nothing that I'm ready to pull the trigger on yet.

thanks

 

[bulletpruf]

HF, I bought a few of these and there not bad. although they have raised the price from $39 and they were on sale before for $32

I'm military and move every few years but have the usual assortment of tools (along with several vintage cars and associated parts) so it seems that I'm constantly setting up and tearing down garages. I have purchased dozens of the plastic shelving units over the years and have generally been impressed by the low cost, capacity, and ease of assembly and disassembly. Having said that, I'm looking for something one step up in function and durability now.

Thanks

 

[rustedgoat]

I'd lean toward the shelves designed similar to the pallet type racks (your costco link). They can handle the weight of tools and auto parts better.

Plastic shelves are good if you find yourself having to quickly rearrange the garage for a project. I like using flip top containers, totes, milk crates, banker boxes and tool boxes to store things in. Some of these are stackable so no shelves needed.

 

[nadogail]

Oh the possibilities! Your only limits are your imagination, skills, and budget.

Pallet wood generally can be had for your sweat in hauling it away.
Craig's List frequently has store displays and shelving for your sweat in hauling it away.
Used Pallet Racking is strong, but may require cutting and welding to fit in a garage smaller than a warehouse.
Hard to beat Milk Crates for practicality.