Comments on: Hot or Not? Store-Bought Storage http://toolmonger.com/2009/04/30/hot-or-not-store-bought-storage/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:24:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: LAS http://toolmonger.com/2009/04/30/hot-or-not-store-bought-storage/#comment-926371 LAS Wed, 13 May 2009 13:09:37 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=23844#comment-926371 Interesting ideas but you have to weigh appearance with simple function. If function is all you are interested in, scrounging can be fun but if you want the garage to be functional and stylish the Gladiator products definitely fit the bill. I've got them in my garage and my neighbors have garage envy. Some have been inspired to start working on their own garages. The cabinets are sturdy enough to handle the heavy paint cans without bowing and so much is behind closed doors that it always looks clean when I pull into the garage. Gardening projects are easier too now that I have a separate station near the garage door just for this activity. Interesting ideas but you have to weigh appearance with simple function. If function is all you are interested in, scrounging can be fun but if you want the garage to be functional and stylish the Gladiator products definitely fit the bill. I’ve got them in my garage and my neighbors have garage envy. Some have been inspired to start working on their own garages. The cabinets are sturdy enough to handle the heavy paint cans without bowing and so much is behind closed doors that it always looks clean when I pull into the garage. Gardening projects are easier too now that I have a separate station near the garage door just for this activity.

]]> By: Gladiator GarageWorks http://toolmonger.com/2009/04/30/hot-or-not-store-bought-storage/#comment-918462 Gladiator GarageWorks Tue, 05 May 2009 22:16:48 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=23844#comment-918462 Great question Sean! Great discussion and points in the comments, too! It's a topic that we deal with in many ways. We're always interested in finding out what works best for the shop since it's a challenge all DIYers face. We've passed this post along to our Facebook Community, as well, so they can join in the discussion. http://www.facebook.com/pages/GladiatorGW/52058828971 Great question Sean! Great discussion and points in the comments, too! It’s a topic that we deal with in many ways. We’re always interested in finding out what works best for the shop since it’s a challenge all DIYers face. We’ve passed this post along to our Facebook Community, as well, so they can join in the discussion.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/GladiatorGW/52058828971

]]> By: paganwonder http://toolmonger.com/2009/04/30/hot-or-not-store-bought-storage/#comment-912346 paganwonder Sat, 02 May 2009 03:31:51 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=23844#comment-912346 Sean-T, I've always got a project in progress on my benches so fold-a-way would never get folded away. Sean-T, I’ve always got a project in progress on my benches so fold-a-way would never get folded away.

]]> By: bob http://toolmonger.com/2009/04/30/hot-or-not-store-bought-storage/#comment-912337 bob Sat, 02 May 2009 03:28:58 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=23844#comment-912337 Wayne's right. Wayne’s right.

]]> By: Sean-T http://toolmonger.com/2009/04/30/hot-or-not-store-bought-storage/#comment-911409 Sean-T Fri, 01 May 2009 17:15:51 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=23844#comment-911409 Just this week I spent way too long gawking at the craftsman catalog (accent lighting and cd player. Really?). I am thinking about using re-re-purposed cabinets from the laundry room and an old door. I'm trying to decide between 4x4 legs and a folding down surface attached to the wall with piano hinges and chains. I'm not sure whether the fold-down solution would be sturdy enough, but space is at a premium. Any thoughts would be helpful. Just this week I spent way too long gawking at the craftsman catalog (accent lighting and cd player. Really?). I am thinking about using re-re-purposed cabinets from the laundry room and an old door. I’m trying to decide between 4×4 legs and a folding down surface attached to the wall with piano hinges and chains. I’m not sure whether the fold-down solution would be sturdy enough, but space is at a premium. Any thoughts would be helpful.

]]> By: Wayne D. http://toolmonger.com/2009/04/30/hot-or-not-store-bought-storage/#comment-911326 Wayne D. Fri, 01 May 2009 16:22:09 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=23844#comment-911326 You could go to a place like Habitat for Humanity's Re-Store (http://www.habitat.org/env/restores.aspx). I have found some great counter tops there from granite at $10 linear foot (2' deep), Corian(?) at $5/ft to wood at $2/foot. You can get and entire nice cabinet set for about $400 (I mean really nice). You can buy pretty much anything there and still have money left over to buy a decent large tool like a table saw compared to store bought. Sure, it doesn't have the diamond plate, but who really cares? You could go to a place like Habitat for Humanity’s Re-Store (http://www.habitat.org/env/restores.aspx). I have found some great counter tops there from granite at $10 linear foot (2′ deep), Corian(?) at $5/ft to wood at $2/foot. You can get and entire nice cabinet set for about $400 (I mean really nice). You can buy pretty much anything there and still have money left over to buy a decent large tool like a table saw compared to store bought. Sure, it doesn’t have the diamond plate, but who really cares?

]]> By: russ http://toolmonger.com/2009/04/30/hot-or-not-store-bought-storage/#comment-911283 russ Fri, 01 May 2009 15:52:41 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=23844#comment-911283 Oops meant 8 not the :) Oops meant 8 not the :)

]]> By: russ http://toolmonger.com/2009/04/30/hot-or-not-store-bought-storage/#comment-911280 russ Fri, 01 May 2009 15:51:45 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=23844#comment-911280 My wife found some nice cabinets (a set of 7 or 8) including one with a sink for about $200 bucks from Craiglist. I bought a faucet and they are in my garage. I have a place to wash up before I go into the house now. My shop ones are only beat up freebies but built well enough with some minor fixes to work out pretty well. When time, wood supply, and money allow me I will make some for the shop. The learning experience is worth it plus you can customize it for your needs. My wife found some nice cabinets (a set of 7 or 8) including one with a sink for about $200 bucks from Craiglist. I bought a faucet and they are in my garage. I have a place to wash up before I go into the house now. My shop ones are only beat up freebies but built well enough with some minor fixes to work out pretty well.

When time, wood supply, and money allow me I will make some for the shop. The learning experience is worth it plus you can customize it for your needs.

]]> By: Dan http://toolmonger.com/2009/04/30/hot-or-not-store-bought-storage/#comment-911207 Dan Fri, 01 May 2009 15:09:13 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=23844#comment-911207 Bill: How much was the learning valued at? My guess: it offset the time. Just my .02$ Bill:
How much was the learning valued at? My guess: it offset the time.
Just my .02$

]]> By: Bill http://toolmonger.com/2009/04/30/hot-or-not-store-bought-storage/#comment-910547 Bill Fri, 01 May 2009 00:17:18 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=23844#comment-910547 You have to be careful. Many many years ago I saw an idea in a car magazine about making rolling cabinets out of old washing machines. Of course, I had to scrounge a washing machine and build myself one. I still have my cabinet, but if I counted my time worth ANYTHING at all, I would have been better off to buy something commercial. Granted, sometimes there is the fun factor of scrounging and I'm all into that. You have to be careful. Many many years ago I saw an idea in a car magazine about making rolling cabinets out of old washing machines. Of course, I had to scrounge a washing machine and build myself one. I still have my cabinet, but if I counted my time worth ANYTHING at all, I would have been better off to buy something commercial. Granted, sometimes there is the fun factor of scrounging and I’m all into that.

]]> By: Lex Dodson http://toolmonger.com/2009/04/30/hot-or-not-store-bought-storage/#comment-910535 Lex Dodson Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:38:10 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=23844#comment-910535 Workbenches and tables I scavenge from wherever possible, but I'm not good enough at fabrication to make my own tool chests (yet). I have a Kobalt box that's serving me very well in light of its cost, but I'll need to expand it soon. I use rare Earth magnets to stick all kinds of stuff to the sides, including my creeper and tube o' rags. Workbenches and tables I scavenge from wherever possible, but I’m not good enough at fabrication to make my own tool chests (yet). I have a Kobalt box that’s serving me very well in light of its cost, but I’ll need to expand it soon. I use rare Earth magnets to stick all kinds of stuff to the sides, including my creeper and tube o’ rags.

]]> By: Brad Justinen http://toolmonger.com/2009/04/30/hot-or-not-store-bought-storage/#comment-910529 Brad Justinen Thu, 30 Apr 2009 22:51:32 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=23844#comment-910529 NOT. Half the fun of owning tools is building your own storage systems for them. I have a mix of old tables, desks, and commercial shelving all tied, screwed, nailed glued, and welded together. Here's an example: http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_Peg_Board_Tool_Cart_then_brag_about_it/ NOT.

Half the fun of owning tools is building your own storage systems for them.

I have a mix of old tables, desks, and commercial shelving all tied, screwed, nailed glued, and welded together.

Here’s an example:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_Peg_Board_Tool_Cart_then_brag_about_it/

]]> By: paganwonder http://toolmonger.com/2009/04/30/hot-or-not-store-bought-storage/#comment-910513 paganwonder Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:32:01 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=23844#comment-910513 Building your own is sometimes the only projects I don't have to get some one else to approve/pay for- I wouldn't give that luxury up in my own shop. For my trucks everything is commercial purchase because it has to 'look' professional. My father-in-law has that refrig and I definitely lust after after that huge castered beauty! Building your own is sometimes the only projects I don’t have to get some one else to approve/pay for- I wouldn’t give that luxury up in my own shop. For my trucks everything is commercial purchase because it has to ‘look’ professional.
My father-in-law has that refrig and I definitely lust after after that huge castered beauty!

]]> By: Snork http://toolmonger.com/2009/04/30/hot-or-not-store-bought-storage/#comment-910508 Snork Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:17:12 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=23844#comment-910508 Sometimes the best option is found items. Three of my work benches were found. The main one is an old solid oak desk with a water damaged top but otherwise in great shape. The other two were from moving sales. Do a cost benefit, sometimes free or cheap isn't worth the ultimate cost. Sometimes the best option is found items. Three of my work benches were found. The main one is an old solid oak desk with a water damaged top but otherwise in great shape. The other two were from moving sales. Do a cost benefit, sometimes free or cheap isn’t worth the ultimate cost.

]]> By: fred http://toolmonger.com/2009/04/30/hot-or-not-store-bought-storage/#comment-910452 fred Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:15:51 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=23844#comment-910452 In my commercial shops we have a combination of shop-built and manufactured storage solutions. We like the Stanley Vidmar, Lista and Rotabin products that we have. These are part of the capitalization of our shops, are on a depreciation schedule and not only increase our productivity - but add to the marketablility of the shops - should we decide to sell them. At home - I am much more modest - and also think that half of the fun and learning experience comes from building your own. In my commercial shops we have a combination of shop-built and manufactured storage solutions. We like the Stanley Vidmar, Lista and Rotabin products that we have. These are part of the capitalization of our shops, are on a depreciation schedule and not only increase our productivity - but add to the marketablility of the shops - should we decide to sell them.

At home - I am much more modest - and also think that half of the fun and learning experience comes from building your own.

]]> By: Jim http://toolmonger.com/2009/04/30/hot-or-not-store-bought-storage/#comment-910440 Jim Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:31:44 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=23844#comment-910440 For a rolling cabinet, I've had good luck with the US General Industrial Quality tool chests sold by Harbor Freight. They're heavy duty, bb slides, welded, powder coated, rubber mats, and lockable. They're often on sale or if you sign up you can get e-mail coupons (15-20% off). I looked at the Craftsman line and these just seemed way better. In terms of wall cabinets and benches though I don't know of a good value, unless you've got more money than time. It does take time to sort through lumber and find good materials, cut, mill, assemble, etc. For a rolling cabinet, I’ve had good luck with the US General Industrial Quality tool chests sold by Harbor Freight. They’re heavy duty, bb slides, welded, powder coated, rubber mats, and lockable. They’re often on sale or if you sign up you can get e-mail coupons (15-20% off). I looked at the Craftsman line and these just seemed way better.

In terms of wall cabinets and benches though I don’t know of a good value, unless you’ve got more money than time. It does take time to sort through lumber and find good materials, cut, mill, assemble, etc.

]]> By: ToolGuyd http://toolmonger.com/2009/04/30/hot-or-not-store-bought-storage/#comment-910439 ToolGuyd Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:27:47 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=23844#comment-910439 Definitely hot - for some applications. In some cases, store-bought storage can be modified to produce something far more suitable than pure store bought or DIY options. Definitely hot - for some applications. In some cases, store-bought storage can be modified to produce something far more suitable than pure store bought or DIY options.

]]> By: Tom C http://toolmonger.com/2009/04/30/hot-or-not-store-bought-storage/#comment-910436 Tom C Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:21:48 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=23844#comment-910436 I had had good luck using old cabinets, and file cabinets from the local University (U of Michigan). They have a whole warehouse (with wacky hours) that is full of old computers and office/dorm furniture for cheap. I had had good luck using old cabinets, and file cabinets from the local University (U of Michigan). They have a whole warehouse (with wacky hours) that is full of old computers and office/dorm furniture for cheap.

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