Loft over bench?

[BellyUpFish]

So, I've got "tall" ceilings - 12'. That leaves me with a decent amount of unused, usable space.

I'm contemplating putting a storage loft, once lumber prices drop back down, over my workbench.

Just thought I'd see if anyone would wanna share their "bench lofts?"

 

[bri_man57]

I don't have that but think it's a great idea. Awesome place to hang stuff from like lights, extension cords, etc. Got to use that vertical space!

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[BellyUpFish]

I don't have that but think it's a great idea. Awesome place to hang stuff from like lights, extension cords, etc. Got to use that vertical space!

This picture really got me thinking... I am pretty sure those are 12' ceilings.

 

[CraigStu]

I haven't done it but think it is a great idea. The one thing that might really make it work would be a ladder that is always available to get up there. Maybe a 10ft aluminum step ladder so you could just lean it against the loft for a quick light object move or set it up normally for heavier stuff.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I've seen a few pictures here of people building workbenches out of pallet racking, which would be an easy way to provide a storage area overhead.

 

[cvairwerks]

Use pallet racking. 12 foot verticals with 8, 9 or 12 foot crossbars. Use 2x4 or 2x6’s for deck supports, or several pieces for supporting plywood decking. Verticals come in 24, 36 and 42” depths.

 

[Worsedog]

While not quite a loft, I built this shelf over my bench. You'll have to excuse the mess. I suffer badly from chronic flat surface syndrome. Forgot, 9' ceiling.

 

[IMXCITD]

same as cvair....why build it....get pallet racking....last forever and modular....then you can take it w you when you move

 

[yeldogt]

I have a shelf on the whole one wall of my garage -- it'd designed to hold the large rubbermaid containers. Pick you container size (buy them) and design to hold.

Making a deeper design sounds great ....but, unless you have a specific item you need to store they become junk storage. Getting to the stuff is impossible -- on a ladder trying to reach in the back. Unless you can stand they are a pain.

A row of storage bins holds a lot of stuff and very easy and safe to get

 

[PhantomEB]

If I was 28’ deep, I know I wouldn’t blink at putting a loft storage space over my bench even with a 9’6” Ceiling!

 

[gunit1400]

Uline is a good source of the pallet racking of which some have spoken. Plenty of choices when it comes to pallet racking at fairly reasonable prices. I'll be looking into getting some for my upcoming 30 x 50 pole barn build, just for the purpose of having storage over my work bench.

You can also usually find some used racking on your local craigslist.

Scott

 

[regguy1]

My solution for overhead storage: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65557

 

[Robby321]

Have 12 foot ceiling too. Built 4x6 and 6x6 both 3 deep two sides shop.

 

[ace10]

I built this bench quite a while ago. Now I don't really use the building except for machine storage. The idea was primarily a mount for the overhead worklight, and then morphed into a storage shelf.

To access, you would just climb up on the bench.

Bench also happens to have my only decent sized vise. Mounted on an outrigger.

 

[u2slow]

So, I've got "tall" ceilings - 12'. That leaves me with a decent amount of unused, usable space.

I'm contemplating putting a storage loft, once lumber prices drop back down, over my workbench.

Just thought I'd see if anyone would wanna share their "bench lofts?"

Haven't built it yet, but I have a plan. Will be similar to pallet-racking, but done with lumber. Use the lower section for benchtop, and shelving/storage above. On one wall I should be able to do 3 sections 8' wide and go a few tiers up with my nearly 20' ceiling.

 

[Cryptic1911]

Use pallet rack and put your bench in one of the bays

 

[sberry]

Have 12 foot ceiling too. Built 4x6 and 6x6 both 3 deep two sides shop.

I like this. Post 13.

 

[infinkc]

Use pallet rack and put your bench in one of the bays

That’s what I did, at the end of my build thread.

 

[slow]

I've seen a few pictures here of people building workbenches out of pallet racking, which would be an easy way to provide a storage area overhead.

This, I setup a bench at work, 8 foot shelves above the work bench setup. Works great.

 

[Robby321]

I like this. Post 13.

Thanks, one more...Lotta stuff packed in a 24x24! Just a stick framed when bought the house. Perfect "canvas" for the shop ideas!

 

[BillK]

Here is a picture of one of the pallet rack benches I have at my shop. Not really "pallet rack" just heavy duty shelving. Please ignore the mess It is 8' long, 2' wide and 7' tall As you can see I have a light mounted under the top decking. Works perfect for me.

 

[CraigStu]

In a previous garage on two walls we had exactly what regguy1 did but w/o the doors. After 10 yrs of it looking messy, HD had a sale on the 16 gal rubbermaid tubs so we bought enough to fill in those shelves. Labeled them w/ a black marker. Man we had tons of stuff up there out of the way but still pretty easy to get to. The third wall had a double layer of kitchen cabinets that started about 24 inches off the floor. That left room under them for more of those tubs to sit on the floor where we kept the often used items.