Using Old Doors for Storage

[canadianstrom]

I need more wall space in my garage shop. I've been thinking of getting 4 old solid man doors 30-36" by 80" hanging them on a wall on 8 to 12" centers so they're like pages of a book. I'd organize hangers so all my shovels and rakes on one, forestry tools on another etc. Each door wood swing both wàys so i could access the tools closest to the wall. They would be off the floor to make cleaning easy. Long tools like a rake could be extended above top of door
I feel like it could work pretty well. Getting into gap closest to the corner of the garage means all 4 doors need to swing and they will not swing to full 90 but even 60 should let me grab the back tools.
Anyone seen similar? pictures? Or see flaws?
Thanks for any input.

 

[58Yeoman]

Sounds like a good idea.

 

[southalabama]

Seen a bunch of variations on net

Same idea.

How-To: Pegboard "Leaves" for Tool Organization

Building these simple pegboard leaves so you can display a large number of tools in a small space.

makezine.com

 

[canadianstrom]

Thanks for the link, southalabama. My googlefu was weak; I couldnt find any reference but assumed someone had done the concept. Seeing the picture reminded me I need clear floor space on at least one side. Or have them higher off the floor than I was originally thiking.

 

[lilredex]

Go to Rona or Lowes, etc, where they sell doors. They have them set up that way and that will give you an idea on spacing. Can see a lot of interference if spaced too closely.

 

[mike93lx]

Sounds like a very, very heavy solution that will have things getting caught on each other and take up a lot more space than expected

 

[MR2FC]

I wonder if they'd work better sliding than hinged?

Just FYI, I have no idea how you'd make that happen, sorry! I'm just the ideas guy...

 

[wmihl]

I wonder if they'd work better sliding than hinged?

Just FYI, I have no idea how you'd make that happen, sorry! I'm just the ideas guy...

Unistrut with trolley brackets. I also think this may be a better option if sticking with the man doors.

There is a thread labeled, "Show you Unistrut / Superstrut designs" in this Forum. Hope this helps.

 

[CraigStu]

Can you find doors that are solid enough to be able to attach hooks or whatever on the entire surface? I know that all my interior doors have wood around the edges that is only 1.5-2 inches wide everywhere except where the latch is. The rest of the door isn't hollow but it is something a lot softer than wood.

 

[nadogail]

When using doors to hang things on as the OP suggested one will have to be creative with mounting the hinges. Most hinges will open only in one direction; you may find you need to find hinges that swing both ways and they will need to be mounted at a distance from the stationary support.

 

[canadianstrom]

Go to Rona or Lowes, etc, where they sell doors. They have them set up that way and that will give you an idea on spacing. Can see a lot of interference if spaced too closely.

Great Idea.

Sounds like a very, very heavy solution that will have things getting caught on each other and take up a lot more space than expected

Yep, I expect it will have some issues. Hoping if I'm smart enough to start swinging the outer door first it will be servicable.

I wonder if they'd work better sliding than hinged?

Just FYI, I have no idea how you'd make that happen, sorry! I'm just the ideas guy...

I thought about that but thought it would be worse. If I have a 12" gap, items could never protrude more than 6" on either door. But in a Leaves config, I could have some thicker items opposite a thinner item.

Can you find doors that are solid enough to be able to attach hooks or whatever on the entire surface? I know that all my interior doors have wood around the edges that is only 1.5-2 inches wide everywhere except where the latch is. The rest of the door isn't hollow but it is something a lot softer than wood.

I'll have to take this on faith a bit. And if they pull out, I can bolt through with washers etc to spread load.

When using doors to hang things on as the OP suggested one will have to be creative with mounting the hinges. Most hinges will open only in one direction; you may find you need to find hinges that swing both ways and they will need to be mounted at a distance from the stationary support.

Thanks, I had been thinking of that. My doors will be close to a corner and will primarily open to the left ( as you stand facing them). But I'd like to get ~10 degree opening to the right just to make it easier to get that back item. Either a angled frame peice or mount hinge on side of frame peice with hing extending out from it ( but makes attachment weaker, heavier torque. Or a saloon type hinge.


Thanks all for input. Keep it coming. I will keep this updated. Looking for cheap doors currently.

 

[canadianstrom]

Sounds like a very, very heavy solution that will have things getting caught on each other and take up a lot more space than expected

I don't expect to quadruple my space but triple might be achievable. 6 feet wall space, 4 doors @36 " times 2 both sides = 24 feet but only 75% "stocking efficiency" ?? so 18 feet of equivalent storage.

 

[canadianstrom]

So i finished the little project, I'm fairly happy with it. Got the wall space i needed. I mounted them about 2ft of the floor so i could hang some wider, heavy items like a floor jack and tool boxs. I can reach items to the back ok but I'll shuffle my storage to left about 12 inches so i can get more opening to make it easier

 

[Metal-Marc]

View attachment 1793574View attachment 1793575View attachment 1793576
So i finished the little project, I'm fairly happy with it. Got the wall space i needed. I mounted them about 2ft of the floor so i could hang some wider, heavy items like a floor jack and tool boxs. I can reach items to the back ok but I'll shuffle my storage to left about 12 inches so i can get more opening to make it easier

 

[nadogail]

Solid Core doors also make good workbench tops.

 

[canadianstrom]

Try again Granny. Larger pics attached

 

[CraigStu]

Nicely done. I would never have thought of hanging things that heavy. But you obviously designed for it so good job!