Garage Re-Organization....My Turn

[Jagmandave]

My garage is a standard 2 car with a longer end on one side, which gives me a great place to both park the cars and have a small area to work. As it's a split level house with the garages under the bedrooms ceiling height is just under 8 ft, so a regular lift is not in my future, but I've come close to buying a mid rise a couple of times. I could lift my old Jag up a whole 3 ft with one, which is way more than I could do with jack stands. The MINI and Audi wouldn't go as high, but still higher than jack stands and that would help my poor aching back.

Like most of you guys, I have a LOT of tools, as I made my living with them till recently......my big stainless box is terrific, but I also have a Craftsman top and bottom, and my old Snap On that I bought almost new in 1968 (and still looks almost new) which sits on top a roller cabinet from Monkey Wards.

On one side of the garage is an 8ft long bench with pegboard that's all being underutilized......so here's my thinking......

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the old kitchen cabinet that the small stainless box sits on will go away, and the stainless box would go there.

Where the bench is I'd put two 44" HF cabinets and maybe put a stainless top on the bench.

Then all the other tool boxes could be sold to offset the cost of the HF boxes, that would leave all that area in the middle to work on projects.

I went to look at the HF boxes and for $400 as storage I think they'd do fine. They're not top quality, but they would do the job.

The opposite side has a metal bench with the Wards and Snap on boxes, I could move that bench over or use the area where the box currently is for storage of some sort too.....or maybe the shop press could go there.

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I know a couple of you have bought the HF 44" box and think well of it, my thinking is that it will just clear up all the loose ends and get all the tools on one wall. I would still have to find storage for some of the loose stuff but the basement is just off the garage, and most of it could go down there, further cleaning up the look and functionality of the space.

Can I use the 20% or 25% off coupon on the tool boxes? Or are they exempt?

Also, next month my local HF is having a "parking lot sale", do they ever offer the tool boxes in those sales, or will there be a 25% coupon available at some point?

I noticed that prices on a number of items have gone up considerably since the last time I was in the store - the 20 ton press is now $249 where for years you could buy it for under $200. Maybe they're just marking them up so they can mark them down for the sale?

Lastly, if any GJ member might be interested in any of these boxes before I put them on Craigslist, let me know via pm. I haven't pulled the trigger yet on any of this, but it seems like a good winter project......

I'm open to other ideas.

I've looked long and hard for some metal cabinets, but I don't think that's the way I want to go now.

 

[Pate]

The 25% isn't valid on tool storage. They had a few boxes at the last parking lot sale I went too, but they were pretty smashed up.

 

[Jagmandave]

Thanks Pate, is the 20% usable, or no coupons at all?

If I can't use a coupon, there's no point in waiting for the sale, I could get started today.....

 

[The Frisco Kid]

I'd have to see a floor plan to make much sense of your work area plans. I'm a visual guy!

 

[donthelegend]

Thanks Pate, is the 20% usable, or no coupons at all?

If I can't use a coupon, there's no point in waiting for the sale, I could get started today.....

The 20 and 25 percent off single item coupons have excluded tool storoage for a while now so they aren't usable at all.

There are however other coupons for the tool storage that are somewhat common that will get the prices for those boxes down lower than the normal in-store price. I believe there is regularly a coupon for the 44" box for 369 (see here: http://www.harborfreight.com/20off-coupon912-aff-11.html?hftref=cj# )

 

[Thruxton]

I was just in Louisville KY and a flier for this weekend's parking lot sale had them listed at 349- lowest price i've seen in a while- check with your local store

 

[Steevo]

The best price on the HF 44" box is usually a coupon in car magazine ads. Generally $359 or $349, depending on magazine and time of year.

 

[fitz11]

Who makes the stainless box on top of the kitchen cabinet?

 

[kursplat]

knock out the rest of the re-org first. as you find home for things, and find things you wonder why your still holding on to, you might end up with enough tool storage or end up rethinking you plan

 

[Jagmandave]

Donthelegend, thanks for that coupon - that should just about cover the tax!

fitz11 - I don't know, but it's a lightweight my wife got for me one Xmas - not the same quality as the big SS box.

Thruxton, can you post a copy of the relevant coupon? every little bit helps. I'm planning to go get them tomorrow.

Steevo - Thanks for the heads up on the coupon......

 

[zkling]

Nice garage, lots of space potential and nice stuff there.
I like your old snap on box. Have any other pics or background story? It seems much older than everything else.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Get the small stainless and kitchen cab. moved and get the stainless in there; it's such a logical move, I can't see how you've not done it already. It's in a perfect place to service things underhood in the long bay.

I totally agree with taking the main RH bench area and doing tool storage underneath to take the load out of the center of the area. If you're considering doing two 44's, somebody here has a frame built out of angle that houses 4 units in a 90degree setup. I like this idea because I like the idea of a bench I can hammer on a lot better than on a box. Even a stout steel table there underneath which the boxes could go. Oops, I'm planning my own instead of yours.

 

[Jagmandave]

Nice garage, lots of space potential and nice stuff there.
I like your old snap on box. Have any other pics or background story? It seems much older than everything else.

I bought the Snap-on box used (but practically new) from off the truck in 1968 when I was just starting out, it's been with me ever since. The driver told me he'd had to repo it and made me a good deal on it - although I don't remember what I paid after all these years.....it had a set of combo wrenches and a good set of sockets in it, which I still have too.

Anybody have any thoughts on what it's worth?

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[Jagmandave]

Get the small stainless and kitchen cab. moved and get the stainless in there; it's such a logical move, I can't see how you've not done it already. It's in a perfect place to service things underhood in the long bay.

I totally agree with taking the main RH bench area and doing tool storage underneath to take the load out of the center of the area. If you're considering doing two 44's, somebody here has a frame built out of angle that houses 4 units in a 90degree setup. I like this idea because I like the idea of a bench I can hammer on a lot better than on a box. Even a stout steel table there underneath which the boxes could go. Oops, I'm planning my own instead of yours.

ChevyEFI, I agree that moving the big SS box over there is the right spot for it, but I still have the other box that's backed up to it to deal with too, plus all the stuff on the shelves where the SS box would go.....and that old kitchen cabinet is full of stuff too.

My plan for the two 44's is to build a simple wood framework to support the bench top, which is made of 2X6's and covered in plywood. I'm thinking a nice SS sheet metal surface over the top of that, depending on cost, would look really nice.

Since I have a stout steel table on the other side of the garage with my big ol Wilton mounted to it - that's my pound on bench.

 

[zkling]

I bought the Snap-on box used (but practically new) from off the truck in 1968 when I was just starting out, it's been with me ever since.
Anybody have any thoughts on what it's worth?

Sweet, thanks for the pics. That is in really good shape, beautiful
What is it sitting on? A old snap on bottom as well?

That is a very late 60's KRA58. It has the later badge, but earlier frame and rounded drawer pulls. As far as value, well, it is going to be worth much more to you than anyone else. On the used market, realistically, depending on local market and in person condition ~$200 maybe more maybe less. Hard to say without seeing it in person and depends on how you want to sell it Ex. Ebay will be more work but you will get more for it than CL or a garage sale. Just my 2¢

 

[dragracer98]

ChevyEFI, I agree that moving the big SS box over there is the right spot for it, but I still have the other box that's backed up to it to deal with too, plus all the stuff on the shelves where the SS box would go.....and that old kitchen cabinet is full of stuff too.

My plan for the two 44's is to build a simple wood framework to support the bench top, which is made of 2X6's and covered in plywood. I'm thinking a nice SS sheet metal surface over the top of that, depending on cost, would look really nice.

Since I have a stout steel table on the other side of the garage with my big ol Wilton mounted to it - that's my pound on bench.

Jagmandave,

Sounds like you have got a good plan. I am sure that you will adjust things as you go along. Something that helped me when I was planning a garage redo was the following website http://www.grizzly.com/workshopplanner . Some HF stores can be a pain when it comes to coupons. Some will insist that you have an original, not a copy. Some don't care. If you are going to submit a copy and they won't take it, let me know and I can send you an original coupon like is in the link above.

I sure do like the Snappy box. I really don't think I could part with it. Good luck on your project.


Randy

 

[Jagmandave]

Sweet, thanks for the pics. That is in really good shape, beautiful
What is it sitting on? A old snap on bottom as well?

That is a very late 60's KRA58. It has the later badge, but earlier frame and rounded drawer pulls. QUOTE]

Thanks for that info, zkling.....the date fits with when I bought it. It's sitting on a roll cabinet sold thru Montgomery Wards that I bought sometime in the 70's so I'd finally have something for it to sit on. I used to bring it home on weekends in the back seat of a 62 Mini Cooper, boy was it fun getting it in and out of that tiny car! I had to remove the bottom cushion so it would sit square in the back.....

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It's amazing to me that for years all my tools pretty much fit in that box, now I'm talking about buying two 44" roll cabinets just to house tools, plus the giant SS box and that still won't be enough. I think I may need to lighten my load a bit.....

My thoughts here are that if I could reorganize and get all the tools into the two HF 44's and the big SS, selling the other boxes would help offset some of the cost, and get all the tools into one basic area on one wall and give me back that middle area to work in (on a bike or lawnmower or something) without having to move the cars outside like I do now. Plus too and also, while I've got it all torn up it's the perfect time to slap a coat of paint on the walls and clean things up a bit.

 

[Jagmandave]

Dragracer98, thanks for the heads up on the coupons.....if I read the fine print right it's good till the end of this month. Also, it's one a day per person, so it sounds like I need to buy one and go back the next day and get the other. Will I need another coupon or can I use the same one twice? I saved it from what you posted and was just going to print it out, but it would be clear that it's a copy since it's not on their cheap paper, but I could just print two copies if they'd take them.

Depends on the store I'd guess?

 

[dragracer98]

Dragracer98, thanks for the heads up on the coupons.....if I read the fine print right it's good till the end of this month. Also, it's one a day per person, so it sounds like I need to buy one and go back the next day and get the other. Will I need another coupon or can I use the same one twice? I saved it from what you posted and was just going to print it out, but it would be clear that it's a copy since it's not on their cheap paper, but I could just print two copies if they'd take them.

Depends on the store I'd guess?

Jagmandave,

It does depend on the store. We had a manager at our local store who was a pain. About everything, not just coupons. He would only take original coupons, no photo copies. Thankfully he is no longer there. I think he caused the store too many sales. Now the management is cool and will take any copy as long as they have a bar code to scan. I believe that was donthelegend that posted the link where you could print one out. Just keep in mind if you need an original I will be glad to send you one in the mail. Some stores will only let you use a coupon one time. Sometimes at my store the cashier will ask if you want the coupon back. You could always ask for it back, and tell them you want to come back another day. There seems to be a lot of different rules in all the stores.

Randy

 

[Jagmandave]

I went by the HF store just now and they told me one coupon to buy 2 boxes is fine with them, they also said a copy, photocopy, or even a pic on my phone is OK! Sounds like they want to sell some stuff at this store.....so if anyone sees a $359 or even a $349 coupon for this box, be sure to post up the link, or pic of it.

One interesting note, I measured the width of the box (Norm says measure twice, cut once) and it seems the 44" box is only 42" wide. Interesting, because the 56" box right next to it measures 57" wide.

Glad I decided to build the frame to enclose them after I get them home next week......

 

[zkling]

I used to bring it home on weekends in the back seat of a 62 Mini Cooper, boy was it fun getting it in and out of that tiny car! I had to remove the bottom cushion so it would sit square in the back.....

Nice setup. I wouldn't get rid of that top box between the condition and history it would be hard to replace. Maybe get rid of the bottom if you really need the space, but they look like a nice set together. I can't imagine moving that box regularly. They are heavy empty, let alone full of tools. I have one below (KRA56) and one above (KRA-59), need to find one of those KRA-58's. They have a neat layout of small and large drawers.

 

[Jagmandave]

zkling.....yeah, I've been second guessing getting rid of it - one of my grandson's is taking auto courses in high school, it might make a wonderful gift for him to start his tool collection.

Good news tho, the bride found two - count 'em - TWO coupons for the 44" box at $359, so I'll be going to HF later today. I called and they claim they have 8 in stock.

I also decided the best place to sell the other boxes is right where I work - I teach automotive courses at the local college, so I'm just going to put up a note on the b.board - I'll bet they go easily. Better than selling them on Craig's List and someone who really needs and will use them will get a good deal.

I'm thinking $200 for the Craftsman pair and $75 or so for the Wards bottom box, that will pay for the stainless top for the workbench over the two HF 44's.

 

[Jagmandave]

Any good garage makeover begins with a big box............or two!

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And surprisingly no damage on either!

 

[crewchief888]

caught this thread a little too late,

but i'll toss my $0.02 in anyway

i wouldnt buy the 2 HF rollers to replace boxes i already have.
makes no sense to me but thats just me. i've regreted selling toolboxes in the past, i wont sell another one...

i'd find a way to use what i already have, move tools from box to box, and move the boxes around until they do fit against the wall.

i've moved stuff in my garage at least once a year for the past 7 years, and i'm still not happy with the results.

in the spring, i finally did get tool storage and location sorted out for the most part, "extra" toolboxes were moved into the basement for in house DIY type "stuff" storage and safekeeping.
i also move several small tool stands, sawhorses, roller stands, ect into the basement for the winter

i'll be ok until the day i have to have all my tools in the same place..

the latest pic of rh side of the garage

 

[Jagmandave]

I've seen a couple of guys who've built a bench over a couple of these and I really like the look.....I'm also thinking a nice SS cover over the bench top would really clean up the garage's look too.

A little paint, some reorganization to get stuff put away and neatened up and I think I'll like it fine.

I hear you on moving the boxes downstairs, that could work too since I have my woodworking stuff down there, and that would give me more storage for that stuff too......and my basement is just 6 steps or so down from the garage.

 

[Jagmandave]

Well, as always, once you start into a project like this, it's hard to find a place to stop!

today I got the old bench torn out - I don't know what kind of nails he used to build it, but they did NOT want to come out, they looked more like drill bits than nails and boy did they have a grip!

I also found where some termites had been at work, we had the house treated several years ago and I didn't see anything fresh - it's odd too that they seemed to come up and only eat the pegboard, and not that much of it too.

Hiding behind this old bench were all kinds of surprises, like the fact that he didn't finish drywalling behind it...

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and of course, the termite damage.....

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So while I'm trying to decide whether to keep the pegboard - since I have to replace it no matter what - or whether to just drywall it all back up and maybe put some cabinets above there I put the boxes in for a trial fit up.

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and of course since I have the wall exposed I may as well give it a coat of paint - probably a two tone scheme of some sort like most guys do with the garage. And I'll need to do a bit of insulating in a couple of places. plus too and also, I'm rethinking how I ran the electrical service over there, since I had to unhook it to get the pegboard out.....and of course all of this shows up how bad the floor looks with it's peeling, discolored, stained, chipped old epoxy paint....

These things do tend to snowball, don't they?

 

[storeWALL]

Since you are spending the time to organize properly, why not just get rid of the pegboard and upgrade to something better?

http://www.storewall.com/idea-center/in-and-around-the-home/utility-organization.html

PVC slatwall can hold much more than pegboard, plus it holds up to the conditions of a garage and a variable climate.

 

[Jagmandave]

I like the look of the slatwall stuff, butI would expect cost to be a major factor......plus too and also, the reason I bought these big boxes is so I can put stuff in the drawers, not hang it on the walls. I'm going for a cleaner look - not quite McLaren F1 clean, but neat and put away at least. To that end I think I'm not going to put up the pegboard again.....I may put up a few cabinets tho.

Right now I'm fixing the insulation, I got all the old drywall off and all the nails out.......tomorrow new drywall goes in, then I can start to build the bench.

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[Jagmandave]

Drywall's up, taped and the first coat of mud is on......time to start working on the base for the boxes while I'm waiting for it to dry....

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[Jagmandave]

Making progress, once the cabinet is done, paint is next.....I expect to have everything framed and painted by this weekend, then I'll have to sort out the bench top.

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[Jagmandave]

Paint's done but still wet...... I can't decide if or what color of stripe to do......there's a lot of red where the toolboxes are.....green for the Jag? Orange? Yellow? Black? Nothing at all?

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[zkling]

I personally think it looks really good the way it is. Only improvement I would do is to paint the floor.

 

[Jack Olsen]

That bench is looking great. I like the paint, too.

Since you are spending the time to organize properly, why not just get rid of the pegboard and upgrade to something better?

http://www.storewall.com/idea-center/in-and-around-the-home/utility-organization.html

PVC slatwall can hold much more than pegboard, plus it holds up to the conditions of a garage and a variable climate.

1) It's great to have vendors on here -- so long as they contribute something other than ads for what they have to sell.

2) That picture isn't doing you any favors. The tools are all crooked, and it doesn't really make any sense to store them that way. Who would put a hacksaw next to a set of chisels next to a crescent wrench?

 

[Mach5]

When you get done, I have a garage that needs help.

Actually, I still haven't decided what I want to do. Part of me wants to cut a man-door in the CMU to the side yard, then build a lean-to (?) out of pressure treated wood and corrugated metal roofing. Then I could store non-perishables like motors and such out there. What I'd really like to do is build onto the garage there, but I don't really have enough space and I think I'd have to get a variance for the side-yard set back. Besides, I don't have the extra cash.

Usually about the time I get this far in my thinking I decide it would make much more sense to rent a commercial garage someplace, where I could store ALL of the projects and tools. Then I could use the home garage for the daily drivers.

When I got my last toolbox from Sears, I thought it would probably hold me over for life. But seeing your set up and knowing how much of my stuff is on peg-boards, in boxes, and on shelves, I'm thinking a nice set of toolboxes would be great. I was thinking about the stainless one that Costco has, that has the thick wood top, as it would give me extra bench space, too. But I don't know the quality on that one and they keep the drawers locked. For as big as those drawers are, I can't see getting a toolbox that doesn't have ball-bearings for the sliders. The 44" HF units have those, right?

Anyway, I'm watching your progress and being reminded of the work I need to do; looking for ideas!

 

[Jagmandave]

The HF boxes do have ball bearing sliders......if the one you're looking at at Costco is the one I'm thinking of, don't bother. The fronts of the drawers are so thin they're like paper. The frame is solid, but I was underwhelmed by the rest of it.

The problem with an away garage is it's that much more time away from home. At least if you're in your own garage you are at home - sort of.

Here's where I'm at as of tonight.

The boxes are in place, the top underlayment is on and I've ordered the stainless bench top - it's being made from 18 ga 304 2B SS with the corners welded and a 6" backsplash on the back and left side, and a 1 1/2" folded lip on front with a 1" return underneath, I think I got a great deal from the shop that's making it - $209.

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[Jack Olsen]

Awesome.

 

[Jagmandave]

Coming from Jack Olsen, that's high praise indeed!

Thanks!

Still a lot more to do....

 

[Mach5]

It already looks a million percent better.

I get what you're saying about being at home. But my garage is so small, and with JB and I doing projects together, my tools are spread out between two garages, as are his, and we've got cars in two locations, and neither of us has the height to install a lift, which if we had would make our lives SOOOOO much easier. Again, having the project cars and the tools all in one place would greatly speed things along. Plus, too, and also, if I had all the project cars in one place, if I hit a point where I had to stop on one I could proceed with another.

The only thing in my way...cash. :-(

 

[Jagmandave]

I hear you on the money.....of course if we all had the funds we'd all have a 100 X 40 shop attached to the house!

Now the fun part, figuring out where to put all the existing tools in the new boxes, and then trying to remember where I put them!

These boxes came with some strips that you can write on and slip into the handles - also some clear plastic covers for those strips. I think I'm going to print up some labels on the printer and slip them in instead, that way if I change things around later I can move the labels too.

 

[jwicker]

I have the same pair of HF 44s.
I decided to print out labels on a labelmaker and stick them to a large piece of flexible magnet.
Cut the magnets around the labels.
Now I have small, but easy to read labels that can be moved.
I stuck mine on the tops of the drawer pulls. Easy to read standing in front.