Down sizing advise

[Jason.E]

I need some advice, I moved from a huge 2 car garage to an apartment and a 10x20 storage unit now we just moved again and I now have a 1 car garage. But I want it useable. I have 2 standard size 2 tier craftsmen tool boxs and a 6ft long craftsman work bench 2 large size rack systems. I was hopping you guys have some advice.

 

[Parrothead]

Unless this is very temporary, I'd sell the workbench and keep the toolboxes. As for the storage unit, build shelving with 2x4s and osb. Tons of wasted space vertically in storage units.

 

[Shiftless]

Depending on how many cardboard boxes full of household stuff you need to store, a 10x20 storage unit should give you enough room for the relatively small workbench. I assume you have drawers underneath so even if you sold the bench you would have to store that stuff somewhere.
I agree with parrothead that your first move should be to build tall storage shelves to make use of the typically wasted space up high in those storage units. It helps to get all your little stuff categorized and into standard sized plastic bins. Efficient use of limited space.

 

[CNGsaves]

Unless this is very temporary, I'd sell the workbench and keep the toolboxes. As for the storage unit, build shelving with 2x4s and osb. Tons of wasted space vertically in storage units.

^ ^ ^ This . . . for the part on using ALL the VERTICAL space.

I'd instead recommend Uni-Strut and plywood. Lots more options to adjust shelf height, or hang stuff from the holes in Uni-Strut.

 

[Shiftless]

^ ^ ^ This . . . for the part on using ALL the VERTICAL space.

I'd instead recommend Uni-Strut and plywood. Lots more options to adjust shelf height, or hang stuff from the holes in Uni-Strut.

The unistrut system would be way cooler, but that stuff costs about 10 times as much as construction grade 2x4s. Once you look at the sizes of the plastic bins you have, just space the shelves to accommodate stacks of 2 boxes per shelf.

 

[Jason.E]

There is a 4ft by 10 ft shelf about a 1/3rd of the way down my garage now. It's a messbut my one car garage measures out at 16ft deep by 10.5 wide. All our holiday Devore will be in the house under our stairs. So the shelves that currently have in my storage unit will be holding tools, camping supplies that kind of stuff.

 

[rpcraft]

FWIW I suffer as well from having an "apartment" garage. I make the most of it by not parking in it. My main garage, that is attached to my Apartment is where I do all my work usually. It has a workbench at the front of it that sits next to the doorway. It's a garbage table that is about 30 x 48 and rocks when if you take the cardboard out from under one leg. I guess I can't measure well. Next to that along the wall you see n the left I have my cheapo (noisy as heck) Hf 30 gallon compressor, aconverted propane tank for extra air capacity sitting next to that (bought new without ever being used for propane), also there is a HF cheap black tool box next to that (it is about to get tossed in the garbage soon and replaced by one of the newer Huksy 52 inch tool chests) and next to that I have a 40 dollar plastic shelf from Home Depot (which you can just see on the left of the picture I use to hold the stereo, cans of aerosol "whatever" and some akro-bins for bolts and spare stuff, and then I have my Husky rolling tool chest that I keep most of my normal working tools in. In front of those I have my motorcycle lift, and it leaves me plenty of room for egress and what not, plus I leave the set screws up just enough to where I can slide the front of the table in and out when I am really working around the bike.I also have two other garages on the property. One I have my project truck in until I get it running and registered (so the apartment people won't sticker or tow it) and that garage is right next to the one with my apartment, so once it's done I can move the motorcycles from the third garage into it and be down to just 2 garages. I've been looking at houses with the idea of getting a nice 2 car garage but I figure once I get back down to two garages and having all my stuff close together I'll be happier but right now I am really missing having multiple electrical outlets (as well as a solid 220 outlet).

Here is a slight view looking out while I was still reorganizing after getting the bike lift... I think once I get the bigger tool box and a little better shelving (like a 5 foot long metro shelving unit) I'll be a little happier with the garage setup and less likely to house hunt. Also in store is a new bench but I probably won't go too much bigger than what I have now (maybe 3 x 5). I have one of those leg kits with a shelf kit (In the red yellow and white box) and just need to pick up the stuff 2x 4's and plywood to get it all together.

 

[rpcraft]

This is the worbench kit. I'll probably do the top rectangular and then just intead of having the middle shelf just set up the 2 x 4's with a cross beam on the back for sturdiness so that if I am sitting in front of it I have a place for my legs to go.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005SQ365M/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They also make a shelf kit you can make out of 2 x 4's as well

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0030T1BGK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Jason.E]

http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums...4-0211-47BE-99EE-DBF2CA702BD1_zpskjeqassf.png

http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums...A-9DB8-4EC6-BEC7-04662FBC6AD8_zpsir47jc9o.png

Here is my style bench with my vise at the end. I can't get pictures of my bench and boxs right now.

 

[Jason.E]

Here is the current condition of my garage. You can see the upper storage shelf in this also.
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums...5-1240-494D-B99E-D03FD01D3267_zpsg6d7qe3u.jpg
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums...A-60C3-4B3E-ADBC-7030E3D3DF52_zpsoz1c48uj.jpg

 

[rpcraft]

Not sure how hot it gets in the summer there but save that window unit (at least I think it looks like a window unit) and in the summer you can jam it under the door and then get yourself a piece of plywood and trim it to fit under the garage door with a cutout for your window unit. While you are working on something in the heat you can stick it in there to cool off, and when done just pull it back inside so no one complains. Looks like you are building upwards, which is awesome. I'd like to do that in mine and may but I'm a little hesitant to start punching holes. I'd kill to have a wall socket though. I had to steal mine from the outlet on the ceiling that is there for the garage door opener, lol

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Its much easier for people to see if you post the actual pictures in your message.

 

[Jason.E]

Its much easier for people to see if you post the actual pictures in your message.

Yeah I haven't figured out how to do that yet.

 

[ForceFed70]

Do you have room for a storage shed? They can be bought for fairly cheap, don't need a permit, etc.

My only advice other than "wise use of space" is to use a trick taught to me when downsizing.

Leave all of your tools and equipment in boxes. When you need to use it, pull it from the box and find a home for it in your new garage. Next thing you know - it'll be a year later and many of your boxes are 1/2 full. Those are the boxes that should go into the attic or crawl space or wherever.