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Temporary storage for my shop equipment

quick86

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Apr 30, 2010
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436
Location
Lansing MI
What does everyone do to store their equipment while doing a new build? I have 3 toolboxes worth of gear, a custom made work bench, a full milwaukee set of m12 and m18 stuff. My welder. Floor jacks, jackstands, etc etc...

My new barn won't be up for probably 6 months while I'm just in the beginning stages with my new home.

My neighbor recommended one of those sheds in a box with the tubing and canvas covers. I just worry about rust from being outside. And ofcourse critters.

And renting a pod will cost me like 270 a month.

Any suggestions?
 
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OP
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quick86

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Apr 30, 2010
Messages
436
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Lansing MI
Storage units can be climate controlled
a shed off the ground will work , smaller stuff in a basement?
Yeah I might have to utilize basement space for some stuff. Multiple plastic totes to hold items perhaps.

Storage units that are climate controlled by me that are 10x10 are like 320/mo.

After finding out my city required driveway to the rear 30x40 will cost me $9000 I didn't expect to spend I'm trying to pinch pennies.
 

619DioFan

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San Diego , Ca.
Buy a shipping container ( 20 or 40 foot depending on your needs ) after the build is done sell it or keep it for extra storage. the cost of a used container will be close to the same as 6-8 months of pod rental.
 

Sumboodie

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AK
Garage in a box would be fine.

Lots of tools aren't in climate controlled environments and are just fine.
Service trucks, non heated buildings, etc.
 

unslow1

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Illinois
Mine has currently overtaken the garage and put the cars outside. I really didn't like the idea but after checking the options I just couldn't see spending a bunch of money on storage and then at the same time limiting access.
 

LXCam

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AZ
And I’d ask how much are those tools worth to you. Personally I’d spend the 270 a month if it really is going to be done in ~6 months.
 

TTMotorsports

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Lucerne Valley, CA
If you have the room what I did is buy a 53' semi trailer which cost me $2500 and now it's my storage unit and if I need to sell it well I am sure I can sell it quickly for the same cost. Also semi trailer's come in smaller sizes, and my trailer that I bought was 30 min from my house and when I bought it I said i would buy it under the condition they could bring it to my home, which they did. So that's another option for you.
 

csp

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Mar 23, 2010
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Franktown, CO
I found a local place that rents shipping containers. It was $65/month for a 20' in 2007. My son in law rented from the same company in 2020 and I was shocked to hear it was the same price per month.
 

FMB4

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Jan 19, 2017
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I too would recommend a storage unit. Just make sure everything is insured. But then again, a Pod could be a better idea (next door neighbor very recently used Pods during her move-in (saved her and her adult son a lot to trouble of hauling their stuff around). Again, make sure everything is insured (Pod theft/scams are on the rise).
 

unslow1

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Illinois
One of my friends bought a wood shed that you see at home improvement stores. His was huge and he was able to set the equipment up in it for a couple of years until he got his place done. He never said what he sold it for. It looked like a small garage on skids.
 

dfiler2

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NW Minnesota
Look for a used back yard shed, lots of them being sold as people upgrade or build larger, then sell it when you are done.
 

jrevans

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Jun 29, 2009
Messages
78
Had everything in two storage sheds prior to the build. had to relocate the sheds to make room for the new pole building.
rented a 20' storage container for my tools, (table saw, drill press, band saw, tool boxes, work benches, etc.) outdoor power equipment, and similar stuff.

I believe it was ~$90.00/Month, had it for 2 months, and then had it picked up.

No fuss/ no muss, and it prevented me from having to move the stuff multiple times.

A couple of the Damp Rid moisture absorber buckets helped keep the condensation under control.


Worth it in my opinion.
 

nadogail

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Jan 23, 2009
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Coronado, CA
Buy a shipping container ( 20 or 40 foot depending on your needs ) after the build is done sell it or keep it for extra storage. the cost of a used container will be close to the same as 6-8 months of pod rental.
Then when you are done, the container can be sold. The proceeds of the sale will help defray the cost of renting storage.
 

bradpac

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Sep 8, 2013
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Central TX
I bought a used 24ft enclosed gooseneck trailer and parked it in my driveway. It wasn't the cheapest upfront solution, but when I'm done with it I can sell it for what I bought it for or more. It was the best decision for me since I could handle the $ outlay for a year or so until my garage was done, especially since all my stuff is still on property whenever I need to get to it. Since I have a truck that could haul it, a big trailer was easier than a storage shed.
 
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dcg9381

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Jun 20, 2018
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Austin, TX
I bought a 20' shipping container. I'll likely lose a few hundred bucks on it (not counting the transportation) when I go to sell it.
Then again, the darn thing is SO useful (and I have the space for it) that I've had it for almost 3 years.
Run the economics of buying a container, renting a space, etc.

The other option perhaps (easiest and most economical after resale) is to buy a used cargo trailer. Used, they don't lose much value - may be able to do it break even or even sell it for a little more.
 

pcmeiners

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In the only town in Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg.
Another for renting a container. Mine was $89? a month. Had it for over a year, went through a damp fall and winter, had no rust on anything. Sure beat the ridiculous prices for ABS, Uhaul, etc for storage/container rental. Actually surprised I did not get rust, especially on my cast iron pieces. Be aware some places allow 20 ft container but not 40 ft or require permit for 40ft units.
 

555

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Nov 10, 2007
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Nomad-Arkansas & Georgia
I rented a mini storage unit in north Arkansas. I anticipated having it for a short period probably less than a year but it ended up being nearly 7 years. It was not climate controlled and I didn't have any problems with rust. An unexpected job change with an 800 mile relocation upset my plans. It was one of the largest units and was $60 per month when I rented it the rent had increased to nearly $80 per month. Still it was the best decision for my needs.
 

niget2002

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Oct 2, 2012
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Josephine, TX
There's other brands that do the POD thing. We ended up using mayflower at nearly half the cost of POD at the time.
 

Dozerhand

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Dec 9, 2010
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Illinois
I had a truck driver friend that knew where an unused box trailer was at. He drug it to my house and I piled it full while rebuilding from storm damage. The guy that owned the trailer charged me 100 bucks or so to use it for a couple months. It was kinda tough getting some of the heavy stuff up that high, but it worked.
 

NakeDiesel

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oklahoma
I was in your situation when I moved back to ok from SC. I bought a 26 foot enclosed car hauler and used that to moved most of my stuff back from my garage, including my 69 camera in pieces.

I did 2 garages in a box lengthwise together. 1 for tools and 1 for my race truck or whatever I needed to work on. They don't hold up long term to ok winds.

Eventually got my shop built several years later after getting my bare land setup with a house, well, septic, and roads. Did end up with a bit of surface rust on a few tools over that time that were in the gib.

Sold the trailer for what I paid for it new and trashed the 2 gibs.
 

alfazer

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Nov 1, 2011
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393
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N. Ireland
I'd buy a van or small box truck, then sell it again when I'm finished with it. Or one that's still driving but near the end of its life.
Easier than a shipping container to move around if it gets in the way.
 

Forgottonia

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edge of Forgottonia
You could build a little garden shed then sell it when done (if you don't want it). For tools you worry about rusting, you could keep them in plastic storage boxes with a bit of kitty litter in the bottom.

Have fun with the barn build!
 

rsanter

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Dec 22, 2007
Messages
18,523
Location
visalia ca
There are several things I would be looking at.

If I could fit it all in my basement, that’s the first thing as it will basically be free.

Buy a van or moving truck. Use it for storage and then sell or keep.

Buy an enclosed trailer, when done sell or keep.

Build a nice 10x10 storage shed. When done use it for storage of stuff you don’t want in the shop.

Buy a shipping container or truck body
 

rust in the eye

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Chicagoland
Buy a shipping container ( 20 or 40 foot depending on your needs ) after the build is done sell it or keep it for extra storage. the cost of a used container will be close to the same as 6-8 months of pod rental.
This is what I did and I sure am glad. My project went WAAY over the predicted schedule and a rental would have destroyed me.
A twenty footer served me well and was re-sold for what I paid.
 

stillnostrebor

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Apr 1, 2019
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SW Missouri
Another vote for shipping container. I was in a 40' high bay one for 8 months while I built my shop... $90 a month at the time. Most of the companies bill on 4 week cycles, 13 cycles a year, just like rental equipment. Just be aware of that detail.

I bought 5 sets of knock together steel shelving from Amazon as well so I could get stuff off the floor. Ended up getting a 24'x32' and a 24'x24' garage worth of tools and stuff in that container while we renovated and added on. The shelves now live in my barn.
 

Higgins

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Dec 25, 2009
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Shepheardsville, KY
What does everyone do to store their equipment while doing a new build? I have 3 toolboxes worth of gear, a custom made work bench, a full milwaukee set of m12 and m18 stuff. My welder. Floor jacks, jackstands, etc etc...

My new barn won't be up for probably 6 months while I'm just in the beginning stages with my new home.

My neighbor recommended one of those sheds in a box with the tubing and canvas covers. I just worry about rust from being outside. And ofcourse critters.

And renting a pod will cost me like 270 a month.

Any suggestions?
Purchase some 12 ft 4x4s' plywood, 2x4s and build you a POD. When finished, disassemble and use material!!

Second possibility is to purchase a 12x20 premade shed. then use it for stuff around the yard! OR sell it !

The only caution I would give you is if the "storage" is on a build site, some crooks will come along and steel the whole unit. Has been happening here in TN like wildfire!

If you choose to go ahead, you need to purchase an onsite cell camera to take pictures day and night!!

AL
 

trek

Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2019
Messages
14
Location
Louisiana
I also suggest you to a storage unit
I would suggest the same storage unit, but it must be done calculative. For example, suppose how much space a thing takes up, how much space all things can take to make a full storage unit. I hope that if you work according to plan, Everything will be fine at a low cost.
 

DavidR8

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Aug 27, 2019
Messages
269
Location
Victoria, BC
When I gutted my 20x20 garage last summer to wire and sheet the interior, I rented a half-length, 8ft tall storage container that was delivered to my driveway. I filled it up and was able to move around in the shop. Cost me $100 for delivery and $90 for the month I had it.
Money well spent!
 

rayra

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Dec 1, 2014
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Escaped from Los Angeles
20' shipping container should be <$1500.
Or decide to have a secure tool room / blockhouse / stormshelter / armory in the corner of your building and built it first, build the building around it.
 

NakeDiesel

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oklahoma
Have you priced containers lately? They are running 4500 for 20' and almost 9k for 40' delivered. Claiming theirs a shortage of them when I was looking for one a few weeks ago
 

rayra

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Escaped from Los Angeles
Have you priced containers lately? They are running 4500 for 20' and almost 9k for 40' delivered. Claiming theirs a shortage of them when I was looking for one a few weeks ago
Man those are insane prices, but then again OK is about as far from a major port as you can get in the CONUS. You could very likely find a suppler at such a port and pay to have it delivered, for much less even with the extra 500mi tacked on.
But it has been about 4yrs since I looked into container pricing.
 

NakeDiesel

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oklahoma
We are a bit aways from the ocean, but I think personally they are just trying to use shortage as a way to jack up prices on them.
 

slik560

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Oct 5, 2009
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787
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Kansas, USA
Whatever solution you develop, make sure you can secure your belongings. PODs, containers, etc are fast becoming targets for the thieves that normally go after trailers, trucks, etc. I've known too many people that lost all of their tools and equipment because the thieves were very patient and staked out their stuff.
 
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