My 80x50 garage needs help

[nico]

That was quite a writeup, thanks for all your tips!


I've finally finished the first shelf in the new storage room, much work and little time in the garage lately unfortunately.
Anyway I decided this one was going to be my "engine bit and pieces" department. I'm still going to build 3 more, one for interior bits and pieces, one for suspension, small body parts (sheet metal gets its own room), electrical, and another one for stuff that doesn't fall in any of those categories.

So here's the final result.. I started moving some engine parts right away. Lighting on the wall for better visibility will come later, the first priority is to get the shelves done and parts moved.


I also started moving some of the mess from upstairs to the storage rooms in the basement. I'm far from done and it's obviously far from organized upstairs as well but it's a noticable difference already!

 

[wrigh003]

Even though it looks like it's attached to the wall, I'd triangulate that shelf a little more, couple diagonal straps on the back and maybe the free end. Looks like it'll have some weight on it by the time it's loaded, and I can't imagine much of a worse predicament to be in than lying on a cold basement floor in sweden with a broken arm/leg/head from where some old axle/cylinder head/ water pump/alternator/all of the above landed on me.

That said- neat place. Get you some wheel dollies and build some more shelving in your specific work areas, and it'll start cleaning up nice.

 

[nico]

Even though it looks like it's attached to the wall, I'd triangulate that shelf a little more, couple diagonal straps on the back and maybe the free end. Looks like it'll have some weight on it by the time it's loaded, and I can't imagine much of a worse predicament to be in than lying on a cold basement floor in sweden with a broken arm/leg/head from where some old axle/cylinder head/ water pump/alternator/all of the above landed on me.

That said- neat place. Get you some wheel dollies and build some more shelving in your specific work areas, and it'll start cleaning up nice.

Yea, you're right. It's attached to the wall and I already have the metal straps waiting in the basement. Just need to cut them to the right lenght and screw them in place, but my grinder was at home for some stuff that needed to be done here so I couldn't cut them.
It's quite sturdy as it is tho even with a bit of weight in it, but better be safe than sorry.

And thanks

 

[autoist]

& you can access it from both sides?

 

[nico]

Yea, there's about 2½ ft of space on the dark side. I have long arms but not long enough to reach all 4 ft

 

[carhog45]

Great space with a lot of potential. If you have a university or large high school that has an architecture class perhaps you could discuss your building and its intended uses and shortcomings and interest them in making your building a class project. It would be a great way to get some educated ideas and structural planning that might give you everything you want. Just a thought, good luck though and "I wish I had your problem!"

 

[carhog45]

One other suggestion, the links from Garage Journal have many sites that may give you the benefit of what others have done with their "Garages". I have seen some amazing spaces created from little to nothing. Good Luck!