Compact rolling garage storage?

[Dan Clark]

Hi.  We have a two car garage that I'd like to turn into a "Euro Shop" but still park two cars. Festool tools are core.  In addition, I need to store:

1) Other good sized tools like a lunch box planer, bandsaw, drill press, and maybe a jointer, and

2) A wide varity of non-Festool tools, materials, and other "stuff".

And all would have to be quickly accessible.

For Festool storage, Systainer ports (like FOG members have made) would be perfect.  Adding Sortainers for parts and maybe cabinets above the systainer ports would be a great combo.  But...

What about the rest of my tools, materials, etc?   Although a lot of fixed cabinets might be useful, I saw this plan on Plans Now that reminded me of systainer ports:http://www.plansnow.com/dn3077c.html.   

The nice thing about these guys is that they would be very compact when stowed against the wall, and could be moved for quick access or to be closer to the work.   With a divider in the center, they would be very stiff and accessible on both sides.   Having high density storage like this would allow a lot more wall space for movable larger tools (e.g. planer, band saw, etc.).

The only downsides I see are that you'd have to move them for access and they'd need front labeling to quickly find the right one.

Any opinions?  Other upsides or downsides? 

Thanks,

Dan.

 

[Ned]

...they'd need front labeling to quickly find the right one.

An appealing thing about this design is that they could be locked together, affording some protection against theft.  Possibly a rod(s) running through all of them, locking them together and to the wall.

Since the best protection is for the would-be thief not to realize what's there, I'd make the labeling pretty abstract.  Maybe just a large number on each unit, or paint'em different colors.

The unit back in the corner could be built without the divider, giving deeper storage there.  Or leave the divider, but build that one so that you'd have access to the back from the side of the unit.

Depending on how you place them, you might not need swivel casters at all--just fixed ones to roll a cab straight out.

Appealing, and I might use them.

Ned

 

[Dan Clark]

Ned,

Good point about the corner unit.  That would be good for larger items (like a Kapex!)  I'd have to change the design a bit, but one unit for bigger heavier items with beefed-up supports would be a definite requirement.

Also, some very nice points about security.  With these guys, it would be fairly straight forward to bolt them together with a couple of rods.  Or maybe have a latch mechanism on the wall side and a rod in the front.  Several options would work. 

I think I'll go with one fixed and one swivel set of rails.  That way the cabinets could be rolled out to form workstations.  Which just lead me to a thought...

How about adding fold-down, small worktables or tool holders on the ends, below the handles?  Quick, easy, modifiable workspace!    Properly set up for height, they could be outfeed tables.  Or maybe a foldout router table.  Here's one design that might be a direct add-on:http://www.woodsmith.com/issues/156/extras/fold-away-router-table/.  Here's another that could be modified or you could build a rack on the end to store the pieces:http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/ProjectsAndDesign/ProjectsAndDesignArticle.aspx?id=28007.  Since the storage units are 22" deep, one could be modified fairly easily to store this Stow-and-Go router table.

Finally, I thought more about a systainer port.  The standard size for these storage units is 30" wide and 22" deep.  It shouldn't be too difficult to add a little depth to make a "double-wide" systainer port (two systainers side-by-side) with a vertical divider.  Then make the back position asymetrical  - 14" or so deep for systainers on one side, and 8" deep for guide rails and bigger accessories hanging on the other side.

My creative juices are flowing now.  This could be the basis for my garage/shop that I've been looking for!  Movable, compact storage, Lots of flexible storage and add-ons.  Can't ask for much more than that!

Your going to love this...  I just purchased and downloaded the plans.  Page 4 shows construction tips.  It suggests (and shows) using a circular saw and router with a guide to cut the boards and rout the dados!  Hmmm...  Anyone know where I can get some of those!?!  ;D ;D ;D

Dan.

 

[Dave Rudy]

Dan,

There was a cover story in one of the woodworking mags within the last 6 months about a guy whose whole shop is on wheels.  Each of the cabinets rolls to the side walls for storage, all are adjusted for height so they can serve as infeed/outfeed tables for planer, jointer, ts (sorry, I didnt mean that) etc.  Seemed well built and really slick.  The carts all had locking casters and were able to store under long workbench-type surfaces along the side walls.

I'll look for the mag to see if I can direct you to the article.  Anyone else remember this one?

Dave

 

[Dan Clermont]

Dan,

There was a cover story in one of the woodworking mags within the last 6 months about a guy whose whole shop is on wheels.  Each of the cabinets rolls to the side walls for storage, all are adjusted for height so they can serve as infeed/outfeed tables for planer, jointer, ts (sorry, I didnt mean that) etc.  Seemed well built and really slick.  The carts all had locking casters and were able to store under long workbench-type surfaces along the side walls.

I'll look for the mag to see if I can direct you to the article.  Anyone else remember this one?

Dave

I believe that was the FWW Tools and Shop Magazine. It really did look slick and efficient

Dan Clermont

 

[Dan Clark]

Dave,

I think I saw (pardon the pun) that article.  It was pretty slick.   However, I believe that fellow's focus was fixed location-centric.  I.e., all work done in a single room, but the room can morph from garage to shop and back to garage.

My focus is a bit different.   I like the room-morphing aspect, but I also want most of the tools to be transportable to a different worksite.   The worksite could be elsewhere in my house (remodeling the kitchen, new flooring in the dining room, new doors and trim everywhere, potting/storage shed out back) or at another site for some remodeling work.

I'll tell ya...  Once you get used to having the "shop" at the work site, it's pretty addictive.

So my challenge is a bit different.   Finding the right balance will be interesting.  I suspect that I'll incorporate aspects of this plan and the FWW article approach.

Thanks,

Dan.

 

[Eli]

D. Clark-
Do you already have a set of Roller boys? I've got everything on a few of those and it makes the stack transitions up stairs, in and out of cars, job to job much easier, even tho it involves doing and undoing the buckles a few times. I'm still in a rental place here, so at first I was going to french cleat a bunch of cabinets in the garage, thinking that I'd just pull them down and take them with me when I moved. I kept paring the idea down more and more, and now I find but for the constant unstacking, the roller boys pretty much fit the need. Eventually I'll get some sys ports, but even then, the roller boys store in very little space. Not to mention that onsite you automatically have a few furniture dollys to move stuff out of the way and get at the work.
-e

 

[iggy07]

Roller boys? The rock group? Or the shoes with built-in wheels?

What am I missing here?

 

[Dan Clark]

D. Clark-
Do you already have a set of Roller boys? I've got everything on a few of those and it makes the stack transitions up stairs, in and out of cars, job to job much easier, even tho it involves doing and undoing the buckles a few times. I'm still in a rental place here, so at first I was going to french cleat a bunch of cabinets in the garage, thinking that I'd just pull them down and take them with me when I moved. I kept paring the idea down more and more, and now I find but for the constant unstacking, the roller boys pretty much fit the need. Eventually I'll get some sys ports, but even then, the roller boys store in very little space. Not to mention that onsite you automatically have a few furniture dollys to move stuff out of the way and get at the work.
-e

Eli,

Are you talking about these guys:

http://www.bobmarinosbesttools.com/...d=fcd9cfc2e92db0af1e6cdad3742b2a46&pid=492388

If so, I thought about them, but I like the idea of sysports for storage because you can quickly grab the one you want.  That said, they would be very nice at the worksite for moving a stack of systainers around.

If that's not what you were referring to, then I haven't heard of them.

Dan.

 

[Les]

The only downsides I see are that you'd have to move them for access and they'd need front labeling to quickly find the right one.

Dan,

I built this Festainer.

It is 29" wide x 34" deep and is made to hold the plastic insert from the Systainers. It is handy since I no longer have to open a Systainer when I need a tool. If I want to be mobile, I get the Systainer from the attic and load it.

 

[Dan Clark]

Les,

Your "double-wide" is kind of what I had in mind except that they would hold the systainers.  Since I'll be moving the tools more than you, I think I'll leave them in their systainers.   And, you have a permanent shop whereas mine will "morph" back into a garage pretty often.  That said... 

It looks like your Festainer is roughly like the movable cabinets in the plan except wider by about 12 inches.  Hmmm...   If so, it wouldn't be difficult to make one exactly 30 inches deep to match the others.  I'd have to make it a bit wider though to handle systainers since they would probably have to be pulled out further.  And perhaps use your idea for drawers for stuff without systainers. 

Some questions... 

How do you keep it from racking left to right?  Is there a solid panel between the the front and back?   

It looks like the carcase is 3/4" ply with 1/2" for the drawers.   Correct? 

Are the bottoms the same 1/2" material?   

What is the overall height including castors?

Are those 4" castors?   From Woodcraft?  (Woodcraft has similar casters.)

Regarding the slides... What brand and model?

If you did it over what changes would you make?   

Thanks,

Dan.

 

[Hotwheels]

I have a different but similar set of issues for mobility, mostly having to do with a need to have an effective garage workspace and at the same time the ability to have tools and parts where I need them during an extensive remodel of my house. My current solution is a variety of sortainers and systainers on three "systainer cartz" pictured in a previous post. I can mix and match the sortainers/suystainers according to my project and needs and it keeps everything reasonably organized. The sortainers/systainers are not always big enough and there are other solutions out there, but the systainers/sortainers are reasonably light and portable and with the cart, they can be put together in various configurations.

So. sometimes I put my "electric" sortainer, my "nails and screws" sortainer" and my "assorted parts" sortainer on a cart and take them into the house and roll them around to where I am working. I can then take parts back to the garage and store them in places that fit whatever is going in in the current work flow. It offers me the flexibility I need for the space I have.

This may not work for everyone, but so far it has given me more flexibility than I had before with running to the garage for parts stored in larger bins that took up lots of floor/wall space.
JR

 

[Roland Chung]

I imagine that these are quite a bit larger than you had in mind, but I thought that I would post them for fun.  I plan to start on one of these versions soon - I am just having a hard time figuring out which one I like best.

They are all supposed to be assembly tables / benches with storage.  I have left the overhang on one side for a shop vac to be parked.  With the torsion box base, there wasn't enough room to place my vacuum inside the cabinet and I'm not sure that I wanted to do that anyway.  The taller  versions are a bit shorter than my table saw.

I was going to make the cabinet openings at 19" to accomodate slides and trays, but the height of the openings limits the number of systainers.  Now I think that I might make the openings at 17" wide and just stack a couple of systainers in each of the shallow side bays. 

The torsion box ideas are based on online images and discussion by Ian Kirby, Mark Spagnuolo and David Marks.  The large MFT is based on the Brian Gray Jumbo MFT.

Does anyone know of an easier way to drill the holes in the top.  Right now, I am thinking of using a 20mm forstner bit  in one of those 90 degree drilling guides (that I have always made fun of and now need badly).  I think that I would drill down about halfway and then go back over the holes with a 1010 router set up with a top bearing bit.  The bearing bit would follow the starter hole, but probably leave a cleaner exit wound.

Regarding your topic, perhaps you could use a smaller version of one of these sketches.

 

[Eli]

Roller boys?

http://www.bobmarinosbesttools.com/...d=fcd9cfc2e92db0af1e6cdad3742b2a46&pid=492388

Yes. I'm up to three and they really are great. Yeah, you have to stack and unstack but there are bunch of pros as well as cons. Nothing else makes systainers so portable for such a small trade in space. It's like a stack of Legos on wheels. Break down each rolling stack to transition up stairs, in and out of vehicles, etc. (sorry, I did say that already) Anywhere that's good to go for wheels, you've got it made. I tore off one of those rubber straps first day, though, trying to muscle the whole stack up a few stairs on it's rear wheels. Not the way to go. Comes with four spares. Now I break the stack down, two at a time, one per hand, It's easier to carry anyway. When you get there, you feel like you've got a shop with you, and you can order the stacks in the way that best suit the job. I have a Caulk and Paint, Masonry/Plaster, Nail Guns, Nail and Fastener, Abrasives, Hand tools and hammer, in systainers, and a sort 4, besides the actual Festools. Some of those I'll leave home and reconfigure if I don't need them. Still working on the system though.

 

[mhch]

This might be what someone previously refered to
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/Workshop/WorkshopTour.aspx?id=22880

 

[neoshed]

Roland,

Rather than getting on of those drill guides have a look at the rockler jig it guide. I't made specifically for forstner bit drilling. I'm going to use one when I make my uberMFT.

 

[Dave Rudy]

This might be what someone previously refered to
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/Workshop/WorkshopTour.aspx?id=22880

That's it.  Thanks.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Dan, you hit on a very good topic and question this time!  I'm struggling with the same questions, driving my wife crazy with my indecision and frequent changes of plans.  Currently I am working on wall cabinets to be hung on French cleats.  I need to get a lot of my stuff up off the floor.

Have you or anyone else built short boxes on castors and used them to house your Systainers and to support your MFT?  If you built multiples of such short Sysports, you could support multiple MFTs so they could be joined together when needed.  And you could lift off your MFTs when needed to carry them wherever they were needed outside of your garage/shop.  And you could design the short Sysports so they could be stacked one upon another, e.g. using dominos without glue as simple locking keys given their typical frictional fit.  The dollies (wheeled carts) could also be bullt as stand alone units and joined to the short Sysport boxes similarly with dominos without any glue.

I believe this concept would provide you with a lot of mobility, flexibility and versatility compared to taller dedicated, unitary Sysports.  If the casters were lockable and the MFTs secured to the short Sysport boxes, the MFT supported by them would not be prone to racking as it will when standing on its Festool folding legs.

This should make it easier for the old men among us (me) to setup and store our MFTs and many of our Festools in a garage.  If you have multiple MFTs, you can customize the support boxes for different storage needs.  If an MFT is secured "permanently" to a base cabinet, you need only four castors to make that unit mobile whereas if you suport it on two short Sysports, each will need to be equipped with at least 3 and preferably 4 casters.

Dave R.

 

[Eli]

Dan, you hit on a very good topic and question this time!  I'm struggling with the same questions, driving my wife crazy with my indecision and frequent changes of plans.  Currently I am working on wall cabinets to be hung on French cleats.  I need to get a lot of my stuff up off the floor.

Have you or anyone else built short boxes on castors and used them to house your Systainers and to support your MFT?  If you built multiples of such short Sysports, you could support multiple MFTs so they could be joined together when needed.  And you could lift off your MFTs when needed to carry them wherever they were needed outside of your garage/shop.  And you could design the short Sysports so they could be stacked one upon another, e.g. using dominos without glue as simple locking keys given their typical frictional fit.  The dollies (wheeled carts) could also be bullt as stand alone units and joined to the short Sysport boxes similarly with dominos without any glue.

I believe this concept would provide you with a lot of mobility, flexibility and versatility compared to taller dedicated, unitary Sysports.  If the casters were lockable and the MFTs secured to the short Sysport boxes, the MFT supported by them would not be prone to racking as it will when standing on its Festool folding legs.

This should make it easier for the old men among us (me) to setup and store our MFTs and many of our Festools in a garage.  If you have multiple MFTs, you can customize the support boxes for different storage needs.  If an MFT is secured "permanently" to a base cabinet, you need only four castors to make that unit mobile whereas if you suport it on two short Sysports, each will need to be equipped with at least 3 and preferably 4 casters.

Dave R.

You're not struggling. You're just drinking from the fire hose of possibility...

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Thanks, Eli, but actually I am struggling, and perhaps drowning.  Example:  Last evening I invited my wife to see the progress (my choice of word) I had made in organizing the garage/shop.  In the last few weeks I made and hung a couple of 32" X 32" X 12"D wall cabinets, each with two shelves, one with a pegboard back and the other with 1/2 plywood back, and most recently I added additional French cleats and hung a ~32" H X 64" L piece of prepainted pegboard on it, and loaded it with some of my C-clamps, Festool Guide Rails, bubble levels, screwdrivers, files and awls and layout tools.  I also made a pair of shallow tool trays  that are attached to the side rails of my 1080 MFT, and placed some of my Festool L-clamps in them along with tape measure, try square, etc.  Her reaction:  Milktoast facial expression upon seeing the pegboard.  First comment: You need to paint white the exposed side edges of the reinforcing boards behind the pegboard.  She did seem a bit relieved when I explained that the pegboard was hanging on a cleat and not permanently screwed to the wall.

Some type of Sysports and a clamp rack are definitely needed.  Has anyone built any mobile units combining these functions?  Clamps stored on the back walls of  could serve as a counterbalance to extended drawers.  I think I can address my wife's hatred of pegboard by "hiding" it within hanging or standing cabinets with HD hinged doors - with pegboard lining the back wall and inside the doors.  Lots of quickly accessible storage and out of sight when the doors are closed.  Putting the Sysports inside simple cabinet boxes with doors might not be a bad idea, too.  It would keep most of them out of sight when not in use.  Out of sight means out of interest to some would-be thieves.  (There is a motion detector/alarm in my garage.)

One benefit I am getting from my slow paced organizational effort is that I can see what my work habits are and what tools I use most often and where.  This is helping me to try to locate the tools according to their frequency and location(s) of use, to save time and steps.  I've already decided that if I build more hanging wall cabinets, they will likely be less deep than 12" used for the first pair, unless I want to place Systainers in them.  For storage of finishing supplies, making the shelves/cabinets much deeper than the diameter of a gallon can is not very useful.

Dave R.