I went to the garage today to start cleaning and organizing, but realize I can't really do anything I want until I get the tools/system/setup to really reorganize it. I do have 4 of the heavy-duty wire shelving units that can hold hundreds of pounds per shelf, the two on my side are moving to the other side of the garage for her craft stuff/seasonal decorations, etc.
On the Miata side of the garage, I'm making room for a moderately-sized deep freezer, and want to install some type of organizing system that can not only hold a heavy amount of weight, if necessary, but also have some flexibility as needs change.
My first thought was something like this:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-78-in-H-White-Super-Duty-Dual-Track-Garage-Wall-Standard-EB-0119-78WT/204611783
But there isn't much info on the type of load the shelf inserts will actually carry. I plan on anchoring any system to the studs for capacity.
I don't mind a proprietary system, even though it will be more expensive, if it has good configuration options and weight capacity.
I prefer something open like this to trying to snag tossed cabinets and stuff like that.
I have done 3 garages with that stuff. There are several options for that dual track stuff, and the capacity is pretty good (typically @100# per pair of bracket.) Be sure to get the hang track for the top, and run it right up there against the ceiling so you can anchor it into the rim boards. It will bolster the weight capacity and keep all the shelves straight.
I generally like to bring the brackets down to about shoulder height in the garage, and start with shallower shelves closer together on the bottom and work out to deeper shelves up higher over my head. That way you can get a lot of storage but it's not taking up wall space where your car doors open or you might walk.
Be prepared, though, for it to add up quickly. I just installed @12' of the cheapest version of that I could find in my pantry and it was all of $350 in materials.
You may be able to find that sort of bracket system at a closed retailer. When RiteAid closed a bunch of stores, there was a lot of this stuff to be had for cheap.
oldopelguy (Forum Supporter) said:
I have done 3 garages with that stuff. There are several options for that dual track stuff, and the capacity is pretty good (typically @100# per pair of bracket.) Be sure to get the hang track for the top, and run it right up there against the ceiling so you can anchor it into the rim boards. It will bolster the weight capacity and keep all the shelves straight.
I generally like to bring the brackets down to about shoulder height in the garage, and start with shallower shelves closer together on the bottom and work out to deeper shelves up higher over my head. That way you can get a lot of storage but it's not taking up wall space where your car doors open or you might walk.
Be prepared, though, for it to add up quickly. I just installed @12' of the cheapest version of that I could find in my pantry and it was all of $350 in materials.
Yeah, I saw that the brackets are rated per pair (and the shorter ones have a surprisingly high rating).........but how many pairs of brackets? As many as you can fit? I'm pretty confident I wouldn't be overloading anything, more just curious.
That is a good idea about using the deeper shelves higher up so you don't lose the walking around space. Now I'll need to go to do some measuring in the garage this afternoon.
I wish I had some pics of my old 20x20 garage and the shelves I put in there. Through the magic of search, here is an old GRM posting of mine from 2011
Shelves all up high with the widest shelves at the top. I needed a 6ft ladder to reach these top shelves but they wer great for bulky things like storing a cooler.
Next two shelves were not as wide but good for storing unused jack stands and more normal sized boxes.
The lowest shelf was only about wide enough for an aerosol can. Handy for keeping small items but also so close to the wall that I could still walk past the car and open the car door.
In the corner of the garage, the shelves came together in an L-shaped fashion. This then meant the corner could hold even wider items.
I remember that I bought pre fabbed particle board shelves that were 18" x 6ft. So, the highest shelves were 18" wide. Using a table saw I then ripped some of these 18"ers into smaller shelves. The next shelf was then 12" leaving 6" remaining to use for the lowest shelves. I probably did rip one at 14" leaving 4"
This then gave me:
All the while, the floor remains clear to keep garbage cans, tool cabinet or whatever else you need on the floor.
As to capacity, if the vertical rails are attached to studs the shelving brackets will rip out and fail individually long before the rail comes down. I am 100% confident that the rails would hold up a car if you could get it attached.
might be worth looking into a cleat system, like below but with more automotive tools. Use solid wood (not ply) for the cleats, though, if worried about strength. Cheap trim wood from whatever hardware store would work, and just run em through a router. It's very sturdy and flexible. You can probably do it so that the little plastic storage bins can clip onto the wood rails.
I've been eyeing racks for storing lumber as a way to get a higher weight capacity. I figured some plywood as shelving with a 2x2 front cap across the front of the "arms" to tie it together.
Like this; https://www.amazon.com/PortaMate-PBR-001-Organizer-Storage-6-Level/dp/B004DGIZMW
I have a tall garage and wanted to start pretty high up on the wall but I'm just not sold on how well it'd work.
bluej (Forum Supporter) said:
might be worth looking into a cleat system, like below but with more automotive tools. Use solid wood (not ply) for the cleats, though, if worried about strength. Cheap trim wood from whatever hardware store would work, and just run em through a router. It's very sturdy and flexible. You can probably do it so that the little plastic storage bins can clip onto the wood rails.
Yeah, that's why I mentioned I wouldn't mind a proprietary system like Versatrack or something.
I really need the rest of my tools down here to make a better guess, but they are 110 miles away in my mother's garage. And I don't have a vehicle big enough to get a few of the larger items. But I do plan on leaving some open space and not just cover the walls in stuff.
NGTD
PowerDork
4/20/20 10:54 a.m.
I keep looking for people getting rid of old kitchen cupboards. I think they would do well in a garage.
But it seems like a million other people are doing the same, because they all get snapped up quickly.
NGTD said:
I keep looking for people getting rid of old kitchen cupboards. I think they would do well in a garage.
But it seems like a million other people are doing the same, because they all get snapped up quickly.
I know that's a popular option, but I specifically do not want that type of setup.
All of those pre made systems are nice, but get expensive real quick and can lack flexibility. The hanging system that you linked used to be a cost effective solution, but they seem to me much more expensive lately. I’ve had very good luck with pegboard, as it is very flexible and can be very strong with the heavier duty hooks. For the real heavy stuff, I used the larger lag bolt hooks screwed through the peg board into the stud. Of course, that limits flexibility. I’m getting ready to do another section of my garage, and I love the French cleat idea. I’ll be doing mine with more cleats and tighter spacing than the pics above.
I really like the black plastic blocks that 2x4s slide into that you can configure anyway you want.
What about Slatwall?
I'm in the same boat of finishing garage walls, in progress of installing OSB on some walls but I think I will integrate some Slatwall for some sections. Doing ALL the walls in Slatwall seems like overkill and expensive.
chandler said:
I really like the black plastic blocks that 2x4s slide into that you can configure anyway you want.
Do you have a link to the stuff you're talking about?
Same for your engiekev, got a link to the specific stuff you're thinking of?
NGTD said:
I keep looking for people getting rid of old kitchen cupboards. I think they would do well in a garage.
But it seems like a million other people are doing the same, because they all get snapped up quickly.
I've been looking for a card catalog or doctors address registry kind of system for nuts and bolts for years. I've bought running, driving cars for less than people want for those things.
Cleats work like slat wall, but can be made significantly stronger (or smaller!). If you've got a metal brake, you can make metal sections for real beefy stuff as needed.
engiekev said:
This stuff is Slatwall:
https://www.menards.com/main/paint/paneling-planking/paneling/dakota-trade-4-x-8-prefinished-slatwall/lamslatwallwhite/p-1444428251813.htm
Compared to a panel of OSB its about 3x more expensive.
I can see how that could expensive fast, especially using the metal inserts to up the carrying capacity.
But maybe a mix of one of those panels and some dual-track could give the most flexibility?
Throwing stuff out as commanded by SWMBO or putting it out at the curb to see if someone takes it are pretty good systems for me.
dxman92 said:
Throwing stuff out as commanded by SWMBO or putting it out at the curb to see if someone takes it are pretty good systems for me.
There isn't really anything to get rid of. I don't even have all my tools here yet. Which is why I want to get more organized before I do bring them down.
z31maniac said:
chandler said:
I really like the black plastic blocks that 2x4s slide into that you can configure anyway you want.
Do you have a link to the stuff you're talking about?
Same for your engiekev, got a link to the specific stuff you're thinking of?
Don't remember what it's called, got some at a Home Depot then next time I needed it they didn't have it and I found it at Lowe's. Haven't seen it anywhere since.
thats what this wheel rack is made of also. It holds a lot of weight.
