Turning a storage unit into a garage/workshop.

[225]

Hey guys, I'm not fancy like most of you and actually own a garage. I moved to Asheville, NC. from New Orleans earlier this year. And it will be a couple of years before we buy (still feeling out the area).

Where we are living, I don't have a garage, and I won't until we buy. So, I have a storage unit.

The current unit I'm now has no power. But there are many places around me that have 110v, and possibly 220v if I'm slick enough

I have woodworking tools, and I love doing small projects. Also, a MIG welder. PLUS, I love working on my motorcycle. So, I have to make all that happen in a 10x20' space. So everything has to be able to be moved around or, moved outside (table saw) to use it.

Here is my goal:

Bike moves around on a paddock lift, like this one. Not my bike.:

My bike:

So it can fit under the shelves that will hold all the stuff like boxes, wife stuff and tools I don't need all the time.

I also have a 2 drawer filing cabinet that I will put on a stand with extra drawers under it for storage. It will go next to a proper tool box I haven't bought yet, but will probably be a 44" HF box.

My babies:

Crappy stacking made this happen. But that's what's going on the shelves.

Also I'll be building another Paulk style workbench that I made before but gave to a friend in NOLA.


What do you guys think?

 

[phred]

I've done something similar years ago when my business needed shop space out of town. We had the be careful not to make too much noise and that the management of the facility was cool about what we were doing. We were building a small exhibit for a museum and it was not practical to do it 200 miles away so we found a storage place that had power in the units and set up a very small shop. It worked out ok. Just make sure of the restrictions and keep it clean.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Balor]

225 I had to work out of a 10 x 20 also, have a HD dresser, mig, tool box, and extras it had no power so I picked up a generator that would work with my mig and made everything mobile so I could move things around as needed. rngr1

 

[OccupantRJ]

I know a guy in Raleigh who does prototype and development work. He has run a compact fabrication and machine shop out of 3 connected units for over 20 years. The whole complex seems to cater to businesses of a small scale nature like detailers, stereo installers, building contractors, etc. Everybody has something different always going on when I visit.

 

[225]

There's lots of bands that practice there, so maybe I'll hear some good music! I'll post more once I move.

Thanks

 

[bczygan]

Where in Asheville?

I used to live there.

Bill

 

[IslandBikeCo]

Thats a very nice bike. I hope the storage facility has good security

 

[matt_i]

Good stuff, I recall people growing poinsettias in storage units when I lived in Arizona since they had to be in total darkness to get the red flowers lol. There were a few 120vac outlets integrated into the EMT wiring and they were fully filled by extension cords going to ??? probably power centers in various units. Seemed to be OK by the management there.

Some teardrop shelves or pallet racking might be a fast way to better use the vertical space without going full customized shelves.

The only downside of storage units is the problem of pouring money into someone else's pocket ad infinitum, so I would advise you to look down the road and create a plan where you can eventually get clear of the storage centre. As that way you can keep more for yourself for other tools and projects

 

[driftpin]

The Condor motorcycle dolly is a bit-spendy, but probably about the price of one of your bodywork panels, so it's worth-it. The thing is easy to move, the big urethane wheels roll-over cracks and small debris on the floor, and with the bike in-there, you can move it with one hand. https://www.condor-lift.com/GD-3500

I have a 10' X 20' storage shed, at one home, Steel frame, standing seam panel roof, roll-up OH door at one end, a mini-split heat/AC; sided with Hardi-Board, I had it wired for 120/240 1 ph.100 amps. Lighting is LED. I'm using Gladiator (Whirlpool) shelving units https://www.overstock.com/Home-Gard...s/18084513/product.html?TID=SUI_DESK_FP_TITLE , 2K lbs/shelf, and I have a vintage Craftsman 5 ft workbench, w/drawers and 1 door. I have several toolbox stacks. It's pretty-full. A 240 V MIG/TIG multi-process machine, 80 gal. 240 V. compressor, and lots of shelf space for my motorcycle parts.

I hope you get your own space soon.