Garage organization idea

[Shaun @ Tru6]

These are 27 gallon totes at HD. They are sturdy and cheap. But are only good for throwing tons of junk and stuff and whatnot into them with no chance for organization of easy access to anything but what's on top.

Would a grid/shelf/tray system that you install in the tote sell to the average homeowner? There could a vertical "pull up and lock" system for totes on the floor and horizontal shelf system you pull out for totes horizontally on a shelf.

Easy to mock-up with 3D printing. Modular so you can make things fit efficiently.

[masraum]

You just can't turn yourself off, can you?

You remind me of the old saying, except your version will be "I'll retire when I die" instead of "I'll sleep when I'm dead".

It's a good idea, really good, but I don't think folks would spend another $5-10 (or more) to enhance the tote experience.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

These are 27 gallon totes at HD. They are sturdy and cheap. But are only good for throwing tons of junk and stuff and whatnot into them with no chance for organization of easy access to anything but what's on top.

Would a grid/shelf/tray system that you install in the tote sell to the average homeowner? There could a vertical "pull up and lock" system for totes on the floor and horizontal shelf system you pull out for totes horizontally on a shelf.

Easy to mock-up with 3D printing. Modular so you can make things fit efficiently.

Shelf system designed to fit totes is a great idea. I'm not sure I understand the "pull up and lock" idea. I think a full depth grid that divided a tote into four or six cells would be great.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Shelf system designed to fit totes is a great idea. I'm not sure I understand the "pull up and lock" idea. I think a full depth grid that divided a tote into four or six cells would be great.

I think he was thinking about something like the tray in the top of a tool box, and having the height of the tray be adjustable.

[Tim Hancock]

https://organize-it.com/en-us/products/caddy

[David Inc.]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Ah, the "god damnit I hate moving I'm just going to throw all this **** in this box and hope I can still pick it up."

I still have one of the few I used for my garage stuff when I was often moving for work, I think the best I managed was at least 100lb. Pretty sturdy box!

[gacook]

I'll be the dissenting voice and say no.

If I want something organized, I don't use a tote--I get any number of organizational implements that already exist--or build a shelf. Totes are for Christmas/Halloween/whatever else decorations, or to store crap my kids don't want to get rid of but don't want to clutter their own small apartments with.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by gacook

I'll be the dissenting voice and say no.

If I want something organized, I don't use a tote--I get any number of organizational implements that already exist--or build a shelf.

Agree. They have a place, but I only use them for light material.

I use a combination of 12 and 20 quart bins that stack...much better for the storage I do, YMMV.

Also, built a bunch of shelves using plastic and 2x4's twenty years ago, infinitely changeable. Just like these:



Again, may not work for you, but in my shop it was the best option.

[David Inc.]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Agree. They have a place, but I only use them for light material.

I use a combination of 12 and 20 quart bins that stack...much better for the storage I do, YMMV.

Also, built a bunch of shelves using plastic and 2x4's twenty years ago, infinitely changeable. Just like these:



Again, may not work for you, but in my shop it was the best option.

These worked surprisingly well--I built a 30" x 6' workbench with two shelves out of this. For plastic connectors of unknown strength it's very sturdy and stable.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by David Inc.

These worked surprisingly well--I built a 30" x 6' workbench with two shelves out of this. For plastic connectors of unknown strength it's very sturdy and stable.

The important thing for me, since they do carry a lot of weight, was securing them. My shop is an old tobacco stripping room with wood walls, so I just used L brackets.

One last thing on plastic bins: They do get old and crack, especially if they get any direct sunlight...some of mine do. Just FYI.

[aschen]

its one of my lifes ambitions to store everything in totes and I vote no as well.

The unit of order is "1 tote" anything that requires more precision than "1 tote" shall use a smaller tote or a tool box or any other more precise container.

The joy of tote is simple cheap stackable....not premium

Then again I would never guess premium cups would be selling for 50$ but here we are

[masraum]

Thank goodness allan continues his surprisingly long string useless, worthless posts.

[LWJ]

I have a stack of totes in my garage doing exactly what you describe. It is "ok." Not my best organization system by a long shot.

Best? Loops of paracord to hand everything and anything. You can see it. Up out of the way. Cheap. Simple.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Would a grid/shelf/tray system that you install in the tote sell to the average homeowner? There could a vertical "pull up and lock" system for totes on the floor and horizontal shelf system you pull out for totes horizontally on a shelf.

One problem with any large size 'totes' bin is all the empty space when used in a large storage system, because of the draft needed for manufacturers and retailers to stack empty bins. Instead of designing more efficient ways to store stuff in totes, you could just design a better, flat sided, modular storage solution; - but then you've just reinvented packouts.




HSAT, I think if anyone could improve on packouts, Shaun, it would probably be you.

[varmint]

Home Depot had a sale. These things were $175 each. Just finished putting them together.

[Seahawk]

This is one wall of the stripping room. Not as neat as I would like but it is a very busy time of year...the battery charger tote for example

I have probably 100ft or more of shelving in the entire barn/workshop. A lot of it are metal shelves I bought used at HFH (I work a day a month) for a song. My go to aesthetic for my work spaces is "cheap and close the door".

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

This is one wall of the stripping room.

Where are the ladies supposed to dance and how did you get Mrs Hawk to agree to it?!? You can get the man out of the Navy but....?

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by masraum

Where are the ladies supposed to dance and how did you get Mrs Hawk to agree to it?!?

Bottle service is in the VIP, next to the Stripping Room.

I am not an animal

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by David Inc.

Ah, the "god damnit I hate moving I'm just going to throw all this **** in this box and hope I can still pick it up."

I still have one of the few I used for my garage stuff when I was often moving for work, I think the best I managed was at least 100lb. Pretty sturdy box!

They will hold a disassembled 915 so they are good for 100 lb. I could not have moved my shop without them.

And that's the thing. They are great for moving stuff, not so great for efficiently storing stuff that you want regular/semi-regular access to specific things inside.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

One problem with any large size 'totes' bin is all the empty space when used in a large storage system, because of the draft needed for manufacturers and retailers to stack empty bins. Instead of designing more efficient ways to store stuff in totes, you could just design a better, flat sided, modular storage solution; - but then you've just reinvented packouts.




HSAT, I think if anyone could improve on packouts, Shaun, it would probably be you.

There's a guy on FBMP that makes these frame systems, they are nice but are pretty expensive. today I built half of a 16'x8'x2' wall of shelves that will fit 40 totes. Organizing what's inside is phase 2 and I think I will try my ideas.