Shop Storage

cv3 · Post by **cv3** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 7:45 pm

Like many I have a small shop and storage is always an issue. I have found a bit of a solution in wire closet shelves from Lowes. It is cheep, does not weigh much, and does not hold dust. I have put it on the walls, above the window and hung it from the ceiling, between the lights. It has worked well for my needs.
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psf513 · Post by **psf513** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:35 pm

I have even used it as a shelf under the SS for the reasons you talked about earlier

nomoman · Post by **nomoman** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 3:10 am

I used the wire shelfs for an overhead wood storage rack also.

p.s. I like your track lighting zip tied to the beam..

tfeeken · Post by **tfeeken** » Sun Aug 07, 2011 7:02 pm

I like that rack of clamps the best

robinson46176 · Post by **robinson46176** » Sun Aug 07, 2011 8:20 pm

Oh goody... I love shop storage discussions...

I can find all sorts of ideas to steal.

I like wire shelves and racks a lot mostly for how easy they are to keep out the sawdust and cobwebs.

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robinson46176 · Post by **robinson46176** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 8:53 am

As a certified tool freak I have a lot of small power tools that I do not use frequently. Many of them come with a small herd of accessory items and it is easy for those accessories to migrate and crawl under other stuff. Some of those tools come with a case and I just keep them in the case but for those with out a case I use low cost plastic tool boxes. Some of the new boxes have sections of storage in the lid where you can keep a lot of stuff like blades etc. It works but I am always wanting to see what others do for such items. I am pretty big on having as much stuff out where I can see it where I can. If I am doing something that calls for solving a problem I might forget I even have a solution if it is stored out of sight (getting old is a PITA).

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Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 2:02 pm

I have always battled dust with open shelving perhaps your wire shelves are the answer.

As for storage of small power tools I too use the cases many come in. However lately it seems many manufactures are doing away with cases. Cheap plastic boxes may be an answer.
However I usually store small power tools without cases in drawers. I have one drawer for sanders. One for drills and etc.

My biggest storage issue is supplies, wood, screws, nails, bolts and nuts, glue, finish and etc.
Wood storage can be a nightmare. I know at times I have a hunk of wood in the pile but it is easier to go buy another than to dig the one I have out. I hate that. And sheet stock storage is nearly impossible. It is either so big it eats too much room or it is so hard to get a sheet out of the middle or from the bottom of the pile it becomes not worth it.

My motto is you can never have enough screws, bolts and nuts and that said I also say you can never find the right screw, bolt or nut. I have tried everything from baby food jars to high dollar storage containers. I’m having some fair luck with clear plastic fishing boxes usually used for plastic worm storage. They hold enough that you won’t run out in most jobs but are small enough to take with you. You can see what is in them and you can have a huge variety in one container.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 4:40 pm

Ed in Tampa wrote:...Wood storage can be a nightmare. I know at times I have a hunk of wood in the pile but it is easier to go buy another than to dig the one I have out. I hate that. And sheet stock storage is nearly impossible. It is either so big it eats too much room or it is so hard to get a sheet out of the middle or from the bottom of the pile it becomes not worth it. ...

Here's a method for sheet storage that works for me. However you do need 8' lineal feet of wall space about 4' high.

Look in this photo at the sloped plywood beneath the wood shelves. This sloped piece is the outside of a 4' X 8' X 6" sheet storage bin. The bottom of this bin and the left side (butt side) are 2X6s. Both sides are 1/2" plywood. There is a wheel mounted under the right side and the left side (butt) is attached to a stud with two 3" door hinges.

As you can see, this bin holds many sheet good cutoffs. It will also hold a full 4'X8' sheet. The small end of the bin will roll away from the wall in an arc, to access any of the pieces. (after I pick up the floor)

If anyone is interested I can take some better photos.

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Behind the bin is a surprise I sometimes forget about. There are small wood straps crossing between the studs and this is another storage space for small sheet good scraps.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 5:26 pm

Right now I have my sheet storage similar to Charlese but with one difference the 8 linear feet is behind my work bench which is on wheels.
And sheet stock less than 3 feet wide is actually riding on my work bench and any thing wider which would stick above my bench when the bench is moved out is on the rack built behind the bench.

This way my sheet stock is split nearly in half so sorting he pile to find the right piece is a little easier.

Not the best method but one that works for me until I find a way to store it a rolladex where each piece can be observed without having to move it all around.

jcraigie · Post by **jcraigie** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 6:33 pm

Chuck and Ed have now given me ideas on what to do with sheet goods and for another project to put on the Looooong list. This is as always a place of so much information.