Garage Shelf Preferences?
- Thread starter notherone
- Start date
Harley-FXDWG
Well-known member
Cabinets are the way to go. Much better than shelving.
CJ7VFR
Well-known member
I used old kitchen cabinets that a neighbor was getting rid of during their kitchen remodel. They are built nice, have doors on them, and they can hold a bunch of stuff in them. And because I installed them with the tops of the cabinets about 3 feet below the ceiling I can store stuff on top of them in bins or just out in the open.
I actually want to get more, so I always keep an eye out for anyone around the neighborhood who is doing any remodeling or has put any cabinets out at the curb. I told my wife to keep a look out for that too and let me know if she sees any.
Jim
I actually want to get more, so I always keep an eye out for anyone around the neighborhood who is doing any remodeling or has put any cabinets out at the curb. I told my wife to keep a look out for that too and let me know if she sees any.
Jim
LopezBart
Well-known member
Since the perimeter grows with the linear dimensions of the building, and the area increases as the square of the linear dimension, larger shops really likely need shelving that sticks out from the walls in some areas. I like the racks Costco has had recently, with plastic clad shelving.
You made those with a welder?Home made cabinets…with a table saw, welder and other messy tools I like things put away.
No, I was referring to having other tools that throw sparks/dust and why I like cabinets over shelves…
wahudiditagain
Member
Depends on your needs, but building them yourself is much cheaper and you can get exactly what you need. I like the cabinet idea, but it doesn't work for everything you may need to store.
racecougar
Well-known member
I did a locker in the attached garage; that has worked out very well.
![IMG_8091[1].JPG](https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/data/attachments/2051/2051870-853e3d594937b77d2a0865770c0d6c44.jpg "IMG_8091[1].JPG")
And 18' of pallet racking in the corner of the shop.
And 18' of pallet racking in the corner of the shop.
Wow!!! I have 4 of those cabinets in my garage and never thought of building a platform like that. That creates alot of storage space under the cabinets instead of piling **** on top of them. Great idea.I did a locker in the attached garage; that has worked out very well.
And 18' of pallet racking in the corner of the shop.
There are corner shelving units available out there.
The Corner Shelf – The Garage Journal
www.garagejournal.com
I have done best with built-in stuff. 2x4s and 1/2" plywood. Let's me keep the floor space open for heavy items, and then go to 2' deep further up the wall for totes and boxed goods
isb cornbinder
Well-known member
I use EZ RECT shelving. Made in Canada.
jmiller_2308
Well-known member
I definitely prefer enclosed vs. open shelf; it looks cleaner and it keeps the debris from cutting/grinding/dust off stuff in storage.
For repurposed storage consider looking in the usual craigslist/Facebook marketplace places but also look for an outlet or outfit that sells discounted damaged or discontinued stuff. I've bought damaged cabinets just to salvage doors and hardware to make purpose built cabinets cheaper.
My shop storage currently includes some of the following: (sorry, a bit messier than normal due to 3 projects and winter change over)
For repurposed storage consider looking in the usual craigslist/Facebook marketplace places but also look for an outlet or outfit that sells discounted damaged or discontinued stuff. I've bought damaged cabinets just to salvage doors and hardware to make purpose built cabinets cheaper.
My shop storage currently includes some of the following: (sorry, a bit messier than normal due to 3 projects and winter change over)
- Purpose built overhead storage that is 8' off the ground and mounted to the ceiling and wall. The cabinet is 12' long 2.5' tall, and 20" deep uninterrupted space with sliding doors to cover the contents. It is positioned such that I can use or stand on my lift to access it and it has lights mounted on its underside to help illuminate around that area of the lift.
- Reclaimed metal office furniture reconditioned and painted to match my tool chests. I have lateral files for larger longer stuff along with the less wide drawers that I use for smaller collections of stuff. I also use some of the overheads with lights mounted on the wall over a bench. Picture 1 finished Picture 2
- Reconditioned flat file made into a rolling work surface with additional storage underneath.
- Large wall cabinets made from plywood with plywood doors.
- Purpose built miter saw station that includes several drawers, a cabinet to enclose the compressor, and a sink.
- Some commercial storage solutions. Black cabinets from HF for paint and chemicals, stacking open shelfs are somewhat hidden but likely on the list for improvement.
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CraigStu
Well-known member
Look around for unfinished kitchen cabinets. Roll on a coat of paint and hang them up. If you like white or light tan wood look the on the shelf cabinets at HD or L are also pretty reasonably priced.
I like the idea of cabinets more than having them. I put up about 25 linear feet of 50s-60s metal kitchen overhead cabinets and after a few weeks replaced then with open shelving. couldn't remember which cabinets had what in them. labeling didn't help (me) much because the retrieval process them turned into scanning all the labels to find what I wanted, the occasional ambiguity of label nomenclature where, if the label isn't really specific (and therefore long) the contents aren't clear. then opening the cabinet pulling the item, closing the cabinet. sure that's how cabinets work, but it interfered with getting the tool or supplies. open shelves allowed me to get things faster. dust is a problem. shelves are more forgiving in size/ form factor of what can be stored where, while cabinets strictly enforce their limits.
I had a metal welding/plazma cutting top on the cart…that is why the wheels. I got rid of that and built a proper welding table and have a@tarmy
Can't say that I've seen a short sortimo cabinet like that on wheels. I'm currently organizing my garage, so I'll be stealing your idea!
new location for those bins is this…Renegade1LI
Well-known member
I have a mix of shop built cabinets and open shelves. Sometimes you need storage for odd size stuff that won't fit in a cabinet. For open shelves I use fir 2x6s, I like that I can span 6' between supports and they're cheap and easy to build.
olytdi
Well-known member
^^^^^There are corner shelving units available out there.
The Corner Shelf – The Garage Journal
I have done best with built-in stuff. 2x4s and 1/2" plywood. Let's me keep the floor space open for heavy items, and then go to 2' deep further up the wall for totes and boxed goods
This
Have loved what you've done with your shop. First time I've seen the bomb hanging from the ceiling. Very Cool. I love that WWII "nose art".I did a locker in the attached garage; that has worked out very well.
And 18' of pallet racking in the corner of the shop.
APEowner
Well-known member
I built my own heavy duty cabinets. See my shop build thread linked in my signature below.
racecougar
Well-known member
Thanks. This post has the back story on it: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...ur-garage-today.126997/page-1160#post-9587224
The back story makes it even better!
I really prefer cabinets with doors or storage spaces that are purpose built.
However, at least for me, there are times when open shelves are the best solution.
These shelves are on the side wall where my wife’s vehicle is parked.
The garage is too narrow to allow conventional doors on this storage.
Most things stored in totes or milk crates and using all of the ceiling height was my way to make this space work.
However, at least for me, there are times when open shelves are the best solution.
These shelves are on the side wall where my wife’s vehicle is parked.
The garage is too narrow to allow conventional doors on this storage.
Most things stored in totes or milk crates and using all of the ceiling height was my way to make this space work.
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