Garage Storage/Shelving

[SMLWinds]

I have a massive cinder block garage I want to equip for storage of miscellaneous items. Right now I have a box with cinder block walls. What do you guys recommend for how to put shelves, hanging racks, etc?

I am thinking that I will probably want some peg board, some shelves, and some utility hanging racks for everything from rakes, to weed eaters, to shovels, etc.

Peg board is easy so I got that one covered.

As far as shelves go, I figure the more adjustable the better. I was looking at the heavy duty, 5 tier gray steel shelves at Lowes. Are these a reasonable choice? Are there better ones I should consider? I'm after quality--price is not an issue.

Lastly, for hanging racks, I was thinking of using something like the Rubbermaid FastTrack or the Kobalt K-Rail system. Again, are those good choices? Are there competitors I should consider?

I considered making the hanging racks and the shelves out of wood, which would be fun, but I figured the store bought stuff has much greater versatility so if I need to move a shelf or add another hook for a new shovel it isn't hard.

I would appreciate any suggestions or thoughts people have. Please do upload some pictures if you have things well organized in your garage. Thanks!

 

[kbeefy]

I wound up going with Kobalt because it was cheapest. I just needed a few hooks to hang random **** on.

For shelves, figure out how heavy of stuff you want to store. I had some pretty decent industrial racks but I didn't like that they used grid for shelving, I much prefer solid surface.

Gorilla/wheelen racks (the heavy duty folded ones) have been great for cheap temporary storage, I can always find a place to use them once I decide on a permanent solution.

 

[SMLWinds]

Thanks for the response! I would love to hear any other opinions. Thanks!

 

[kbs2244]

I just scored a 40 foot wall of 8 foot high shelving from a Target store that they closed down.
The shelves are vertically adjustable at 2 inch increments but only 18 inches wide x 10 deep.
They were the drug shelving in the pharmacy department.
Something like 600 shelves total. All stamped steel and plenty strong.
(I just noticed the very same shelving with wider shelves for the books at the local library.)
I installed 20 feet and sold 20 feet for what I paid, so I have a no cost install.
(I paid $100 for all 40 feet plus some extra shelving.)

What I am saying is keep your eyes open for non-traditional places for things like shelving.
Closing big box stores have huge amounts of display shelving that is overly strong.
There is a whole industry devoted to buying and selling that stuff.
Check for a used retail equipment, or maybe an office equipment, broker in your area.

These were not what I was planning on, and I expected them to be a little small, but I have found that being able to slip a shelf in anywhere needed has made this wall extremely flexible.

 

[SMLWinds]

Thanks for the tips and advice--I appreciate it! I will keep my eyes open for things like that.

 

[southalabama]

How massive??

If you've got the height I'd go for a wall of pallet racks.

I know pegboard works for some. It just doesn't work well on large walls for me. Used in small doses it is good.

Check out jack olsons 12 gauge garage. He has several areas of pegboard. To me in small pieces it's more effective. Also the hangers he uses don't come off the rack.

 

[mtnwalton]

For a larger building I'd go for pallet racking. It can be had on Craigslist frequently. I got a great deal from a Lowes store I did a lot of business with. They were re-organizing.You need to get to know the manager. Not a fan of pegboard, but to each his own.

 

[kbeefy]

Costco has those 5 shelf racks for $65, HD was $80 when I looked.

 

[Colotow]

X2 on the pallet racking, it is so easy to set up any shelf height, use as a workbench, it can be reconfigured, and is usually easy to resell, you can weld/bolt anything to it, etc