Shelves vs storage cabinets

[NES]

Which do you prefer between the two.

 

[bottom feeder]

Cabinets

 

[JJThrasher]

Depends on what I'm storing.

 

[PelicanPines]

Cabinets with shelves inside.

 

[D45]

Both

 

[DaveIRL]

shelves with boxes for small stuff or scaffolding along one side of the wall, strong and durable, if a little bulky

 

[Stinger]

The main benefit of cabinets is that items don't get dirty/dusty like they do on shelves, and it looks cleaner to not have stuff on shelves. With that said, shelves have their place for items that don't fit/package well in cabinets. Shelves are also WAY cheaper.

 

[bullnerd]

When I move from my old shop to the one I'm building, everything will be in cabinets!

Tired of dirt and dust.

 

[Sammgb]

Cabinets. Shelves collect too much dust over the years.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I prefer a combination. Some things just store better on a shelf, but cabinets keep things cleaner, and in my opinion generally look better as well.

 

[astroracer]

I have both also. The stuff on shelves is covered in grinding and sanding dust and paint overspray. The stuff in cabinets is clean and dust free. What you do in your shop should help you make your decision.
Shelving units CAN be covered with light plywood, 1/8th or 1/4", and doors made to seal them up.
Mark

 

[NES]

Thank you for your suggestions. I'm now leaning toward cabinets. Not only that but the items can be secured and locked. Yes gives the garage a better look as well.

 

[doorfx]

Before I had cabinets I had shelves. I kept everything small in clear plastic shoe boxes and larger stuff in Rubbermaid totes. It worked well , looked organized and kept everything clean. Cabinets are way nicer !

 

[NitroShark]

The only thing I use shelves for is for a bulk steel rack.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

That's a tough one. I do like that cabinets keep dust off everything, but I like that I can see everything on open shelves. My ideal setup would be cabinets with glass/plexiglass doors, something like doorfx posted.

I like being able to see everything. I'm very forgetful, and I'd be opening every cabinet to find what I needed.

 

[cheechi]

I have about 15 ft of my walls set up with 4 sets of shelves, and ~24 ft with lateral file cabinets. I prefer cabinets but specifically these. a few magnets and a cheap 2 mil drop cloth keeps whatever little dust and dirt that could get in from doing so. I do the same thing with the metal shelves but its not quite as effective or as stylish.

 

[NES]

Before I had cabinets I had shelves. I kept everything small in clear plastic shoe boxes and larger stuff in Rubbermaid totes. It worked well , looked organized and kept everything clean. Cabinets are way nicer !

I really like those cabinets with the windows on them. What brand are your cabinets?

 

[RVDan]

I hear pegboard is the perfect solution.

 

[Cypherian]

Cabinets for most stuff to keep the dust and **** off but shelves for quick access stuff sprays of any type 409 etc

Cypher

 

[crewchief888]

i have both.

i use whatever i can salvage/repurpose

 

[coljar]

Shelves in the back storage room and mostly cabinets in the main part of the garage.

 

[glentre]

Not mentioned yet but the best IMO are cabinets with shallow full extension drawers.

 

[JC23]

Cabinets have another advantage. When I was racing, what folks who stopped by couldn't see, could not be borrowed - with or without my knowledge...

Ditto for neighbors.

And cabinet doors make good places for signs and such.

 

[JimVonBaden]

Cabinets

Yup. Keeps the dust and debris out of whatever you have stored.

 

[doorfx]

I really like those cabinets with the windows on them. What brand are your cabinets?

I got them at an auction house. They went through the auction and didn't sell. They were bound for the landfill so I offered him a $100. There was actually too many , so I sold the remainder for $100. Worked out well ! There is no brand on them. I think they came out of a college lab and I suspect custom built.

 

[Trey T]

Cabinet. I have tried shelves (15ft long by 8ft tall) for over a decade and it takes a lot of work to make it looks neat. For me, having a neat garage helps motivate me to get a job/task done, whether in the garage or out of the garage.

 

[cheechi]

Jim, are those Haworth or Steelcase cabinets?

I'm jealous. I had 4 all along a wall, 2 Haworths that matched and 2 others (HON & Ameristeel) I found a CL ad that looked like an exact match to my Haworths, turned out to be Steelcase but its still a better fit with the Haworths anyway. Now I have 3 42's and a 36 on that wall but still doesn't look as good as your setup.

 

[JimVonBaden]

Jim, are those Haworth or Steelcase cabinets?

I'm jealous. I had 4 all along a wall, 2 Haworths that matched and 2 others (HON & Ameristeel) I found a CL ad that looked like an exact match to my Haworths, turned out to be Steelcase but its still a better fit with the Haworths anyway. Now I have 3 42's and a 36 on that wall but still doesn't look as good as your setup.

Me? Just Hons. I picked them up for $150 for the set.

 

[Trey T]

Jim: At the leading edge of your floor, is that a metal trim? Can you talk about it a bit

 

[cheechi]

Those are the nicest looking HONs I've seen. Mine don't have the full length handle and are only 36" wide.

 

[NORTON'S SHOP]

Cabinets with pull out shelves.

 

[JimVonBaden]

Jim: At the leading edge of your floor, is that a metal trim? Can you talk about it a bit

Sure, it is heavy aluminum angle in 2 8' strips attached with Tapcons. I have replaced them once. Next will be Stainless Steel for strength. If you power your wheels going over them too hard it tends to distort them.

 

[JimVonBaden]

Those are the nicest looking HONs I've seen. Mine don't have the full length handle and are only 36" wide.

Cabinets with pull out shelves.

Yup, the three tall ones have a shelf above the third drawer, and the top is a tilt front that goes up and in with a pull out shelf. Pretty handy, very heavy.

 

[tez929rr]

I prefer shelving just so that stuff won't get put behind a door and forgotten.

 

[Stuey]

Cabinets for same reason as others - dust-free storage, shelves in some places for easier access.

 

[Steve from Socal]

I had shelves and cabinets in my garage and I have them both in my shop. Cabinets store 90% of what I have in both, shelves are good for projects and large parts but, cabinets keep prying eyes out. I have 9 five drawer lateral files that hold everything from hardware to welding supplies. One cabinet is electrical, one drills, taps-dies, reams, hole saws etc. The good quality lateral files are made to hold a few hundred pounds per drawer, several drawers in my cabinets have at least 250-300 pounds in them.

When I got the files I ordered matched lock cylinders and with one key I can lock them up, it keeps the honest folks honest. It also make the catch all sorting nice and tidy when the doors are closed.

Steve

 

[Jess]

I have some used Steelcase stationary type cabinets and a few of the Wrightline cabinets with the roll up door. By far, the Wrightline cabinets are the most convenient with the door that stores out of the way. The others work fine but I'm always opening and closing doors looking for something... Shelves get dusty quickly and mine were a mess, so they went when I got the first of the bigger Steelcase cabinets. The Wrightline were from a computer tape library, used back in the days when mainframes had large mag tape drives. I'd love to find a few more.

 

[Bill Bowman]

IMHO, cabinets create a much cleaner look to the shop, in addition to keeping stored items from getting dusty/dirty. I use my garage as a shop, and I create a lot of dust, etc., so my cabinets help in keeping things from getting dirty.

 

[slowzuki]

If your shop is packed full and busy, and looks aren't important, shelves are far better. You don't need to move things to get the darned doors open. Full height cabinets with the 2 doors are the worst because every little engine block or stick of steel or corner of a pallet will stop the door from opening. Usually the thing that is on the floor is heavy and a pain to move as well.

I have two of those style cabinets and they had to be positioned along doors/walkways so nothing can get parked in front of them.

 

[Steve from Socal]

I dunno if you can't open a cabinet because of stuff in front of it, you have other problems.

The four cabinets behind my lathes are about 18" from the big lathe at the closest. I can open any drawer and get to everything in seconds.

Steve