Garage Cabinets

[oldsfan442]

Hey gang.

This is my first post but I have been searching the forums for a while now. I have seen a bunch of neat garages on here and some great storage ideas. It seems the smaller garages make the best use of the smaller space with some very creative ideas. I have seen a bunch of garages with kitchen cabinets that are reused but they seem to be only 12 inches deep.

I have a lot of upper wall space that can be used for cabinet storage and I would like to find some old kitchen cabinets but finding enough that match seems to be a challenge. Yes it is a garage but I would like to have a nice matching set of cabinets. I can buy some cabinets from the big box stores or from a storage solution company online, but it seems to be a very expensive route.

What have you guys used in your garages and where did you find your cabinets? I have been watching craigslist but the cabinets that are available are for only a couple cabinets and all different sizes.

I have thinking of making my own cabinets using aluminum extrusion from 80/20. It may cost a bit much, but at least it will fit exactly where I want it to go and use every square inch of wall space.

I hope to get some ideas from you guys. Thanks

Bryan

 

[ghnl]

Welcome to GJ. (We like photos so be sure to post some RealSoon. They could even be of your garage...)

If you are in the USA look for a Habitat for Humanity store. They call then 'Restore' here in North Carolina. They sell all sorts of useful used and sometimes new overstock items. I've seen kitchen cabinets, metal shelving, etc.

 

[oldsfan442]

Thanks for the ReStore idea. I never knew they had anything like that. I try to hit resale shops the time. And there is a ReStore shop about 30 min from my house. Guess where I am going tomorrow.

Also I will try to get some pics of my garage in the next day or 2. It is a nightmare right now due to clearing out some scrap and trying to finish insulating. Thanks again.

Bryan

 

[ddawg16]

When my wife remodeled her mom's kitchen...I got the old doors and drawers......

I picked up 10 sheets of gray melamine....and made my own cabinets using the doors....all they needed was a quick sand...coat of primer and paint....I had HD mix up a gallon to match the color of the melamine.

Like you, I didn't want the typical 12" depth....most of mine are 16"....and the bottom sections are 38" high

 

[John in OH]

If you can't find enough used cabinets that match, and don't mind doing a little woodwork, you can consider removing ALL the cabinet doors and making new doors that are all the same style and then paint everything to match. Some or all of the existing door hinges may be reusable, but you may need to buy all new matching pulls and handles. Can do the same with drawer fronts, but that may take a little more work. You might not get a final product that is all exactly the same, but you should be able to come pretty close.

 

[John in OH]

Ha!! I see ddawg16 just did the flip side of what I was suggesting!

 

[emillika]

I am really liking the Gladiator Garageworks cabinets. May not be truck tool level quality but the welded series fits my needs and budget.

 

[BobbyC777]

Where are the Gladiator GW wall cabinets (Premier/welded) made?
I am trying to buy "Made in USA" products when I can.

Thanks!

Bob

----------------
UPDATE:

I found this on the Amazon website for the 30" Wall Cabinet (Welded) that I'm interested in:

Manufacturer's number: GAWG302DRG. Country of origin: United States.

That's a start! (I'm new here - nice site!)

 

[kywildcat]

ddawg.......Great job!! I've got nice oak cabinets in mine, but I'm going to learn how to do what you did. Yours look well made.......could you make any money selling them do you think???

 

[paranoid56]

Welcome to GJ. (We like photos so be sure to post some RealSoon. They could even be of your garage...)

If you are in the USA look for a Habitat for Humanity store. They call then 'Restore' here in North Carolina. They sell all sorts of useful used and sometimes new overstock items. I've seen kitchen cabinets, metal shelving, etc.

i tried this rout also, but damn, restore was more money for used cabinets then i coudl buy for new.

i am currently looking at doing cabinets again (new house) and thinking of either making them or just going to ikea and buying those. hell, you can buy the cabinet (sans door) for 30 bucks for 30" and make the doors yourself would be much cheaper. I know i had the welded gladiator ones before and loved them. but relized i never really need that kind of strenght for a wall cabinet. all the heavy **** goes in the floor cabinets.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Up high, you can make very deep shelves and box them in with 1/4" hardboard. I'm not the first guy to do it, but I pretty much lined my walls from 72" up with storage. The doors slide in grooves I cut into split 2x4s. It's pretty straightforward, as carpentry goes. Not difficult at all.

You can see the sliding doors up top. I cut 1-1/4" holes in the hardboard to use as non-obstructing (and free) handles.

I made a kind of 'belt line' with aluminum to separate the upper cabinets from the lower ones.

 

[TheManShopSD]

Check out the Seville Classics cabinets from Sams Club. I just assembled my first of two this evening. I checked out a bunch of different cabinets at all the big box stores. For the price, you can't beat the Seville cabinets. I feel they are sturdier than all the others such as Gladiator and Craftsman. I'm on a small budget. I picked up the Sevilles for $70 each. The craftsman and gladiators on sale are still $119-139. I like the Sevilles so far and I haven't even mounted them on the wall yet.

I also have a Restore in my area. They have a lot of kitchen cabinets. I also just moved into a 10 year old house that had some extra cabinets left over from a remodel a couple years ago. I thought about using these kitchen cabinets in the garage. Then I found all the different cabinet layouts on this site and decided I wanted cabinets that look like garage cabinets and not kitchen cabinets!

 

[oldsfan442]

I really appreciate all the tips. Jack, I simply love the 12 Gauge Garage. Could you tell me how you cut the grooves in the 2x4's for the sliding doors? I have limited wood working tools right now. I was thinking you probably used a router but I guess a table saw would probably work too. Thanks again.

Bryan

 

[Jack Olsen]

Thanks, Bryan. I used a table saw. If you don't have that or a router, then the pre-made channels might make sense.

 

[softailgarage]

I'm sure you've heard it a million times but, do keep an eye on craigslist. I've seen alot of cabinets lately under the Free section in this area of the country.Oh and welcome to the Garage Journal.