Need ideas for creative storage of parts & projects

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I know this dosn't answer the question, but to me its amusing. An older fellow I know has a real good machine shop that he runs himself and hes really good, but his entire pole barn (which is probly 40' by 100') is stuffed full of engine and sprint car parts. In the largest room hes got engine blocks stacked 4 blocks high and entire walls covered by heads stacked on each other. Just thought it was amusing .

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Yeah and I think he might be on this board also!

 

I have a 10x18 foot shed (the chalet) out back. It has a shed roof, 16 foot wall on the south 8ft on the north. It has a loft that is jam packed. I have 12 bikes stashed thorughout.My touring is on my 3rd buddies place, they are all good pals and let me work in their shops. The 54 is outside in the alley, my 54 wagon is stored at a pals house. No shop sucks, I make do, I hope to change this by this time next year. God willing I find a lot I like.

 

i just finally got around to getting my garage organized...one thing i found helpful in organizing parts, pieces and miscelaneous crap were plastic milk crates. i found mine behind a grocery store late one night...but seriously. they can hold a great deal of weight, are stackable, and can also be screwed into the wall (used as a cubby hole with the base against the wall.) granted, they don't hold a ton of stuff, but when used in combination with some decent shelving for big stuff, really cuts down on random clutter.

 

Enjenjo(courtesy of FatCat!) has a VERY organized system. Of course he's got this big ole 50X100 barn, but I digress... I've modelled my beginnings at serious organization after what I saw there. EVERYTHING in racks and boxes. they used rack systems usually found at Lowe's and Depot. Those metal racks are Awesome! And they throw em out every time they redo the lawn and garden center! I couldn't afford em last time when the scrap yard owner wanted a 1500percent profit on what he'd paid Lowe's, so I built mine from 2x4's and some 2x6's for the heavy stuff lower shelves. TOTALLY VERTICLE! I've also begun slowly accumulating pastic industrial containers for storage of grouped parts/assy's on those shelves. I made a radiator "rack" out of old bunk bed frames and put plywood a neighbor was going to throw away between them rahter than have more than one solid upright per set. I've made 30' of wheel racks 4 stacks high so far so I've got most of my wheels stored properly.
And YES of course I've got stuff hanging in every conceivable fashion from uncovered walls and the ceilings.

I've got more room than some, with my 2car garage and 18x45' out back. OOPS almost forgot to mention the 8x16'. That one's interesting too. I made it from a pallet that a nice new Japanese milling machine came into a local factory, in. It's my understanding that the lumber came from NW America for returning Japanese freighter, was made into pallet-box and return shipped. It came through Port of LongBeach, I know that from the box. I added 2x4's to one side and across the top(sloped), roofed it and vinyl sided it with the city's blessing of a construction permit. I store not only my lawnmowers in it, but have interior components stacked and hanging as well as wiring and dashes. Hell, my lawnmower shed has been further around this world than I have!!!And BACK!!!!!

Ya GOTTA go VERTICLE !!!!!!!

 

"SHIPPING" containers..., you could buy them for $500-$700 for 30' long..., or rent them for $25-$45 a month! They are secure, stackable, and moveable!

I don't know if you can do this in DC but it works in all states except California...!

Currently I'm using a spare bedroom in my apt. for the valuable stuff...; Radiator shell, headlights, dash, etc...,
Got the body in a friends garage attic above my Willy's Jeep and the frame is two hours away until spring!

Mark

 

Here is two of the buildings I mentioned yesterday- 24x 41[5300.00] and 12 x21[1500.00] both 8 ft wall height

 

larger one

 

Gary55

What is your situation...? Do you have a yard? Are there Subdivision restrictions for Sheds, Tents, and or carports? DC is congested and might not allow anything other than what you got!

I lived in neighborhoods that didn't allow for any perminent structures (structures with concrete pad is considered perminent) other than the exsisting dwellings.

But there are ways around that rule by using a tent with "pavers" or a large enclosed car trailer (tight but it's a mobil garage!) or the shipping containers that can be delivered right to the house and set on the ground..., (they encompass the floor doors and walls) again they're mobile!

I've seen cube vans, Semi-trailers, and campers gutted out to fit a car inside!

I guess it depends on what you can get away with; in your neighborhood!

Have fun and make something "cheap" work!

Mark