How do you store all your parts?

[HCO41]

Hey Mart, The company I worked for had the same policy. Broke my heart to see 7' x 3' double door cabinets laying flat on a pallet with the doors bent back so they could be filled with other scrap(?). I was able to find out where some of the stuff went to be salvaged. The salvage outfit would sell the stuff on consignment. That's where I got most of my industrial shelving. I was also fortunate to get 70 heavy duty uprights, that helped.
Salvaging used shelving isn't unusual, there may be a used office equipment or general salvage operation where you can find sturdy storage options.
Howard

 

[tubman]

I'm lucky, I guess. I bought a 30' by 40' storage unit with a 14' ceiling. I built a 30' by 8'mezanine across the back with an additional 8' X 8' "office" area. The whole back wall is filled with pallet racking from Menards that was surprisingly reasonably priced. I have everything (well, most of it) up there off the floor and out of the way. The main reason I posted this is to recommend installing a dehumidifier in your shop. It's amazing how much humidity can get in the air. I run mine constantly and keep it around 35%, which really cuts down on the rust factor.

 

[Clem Clement]

I grabbed another set of steel shelves last week that someone put out for trash. Also a huge counter from a defunct store followed me home. I organized by function: brakes, steering, engine, ****** parts. Then folks come to finds something and it is allover the place.

 

[waterboychuck]

I have a 3 car garage and a 32x40 shop with a 12x40 lean and I'm out of room! I guess we're all hoarders in a way. The filing cabinet idea is great. I'll have to check CL free ads for them.

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Here is two of my lateral files. One is already on wheels in the photo.

 

[TDO]

I have two garages and a 10x20 out building . The last garage I build was 30x40 . Before any thing went in . I could drive my 88 GRAND AM in one door and out the other. Now you would be lucky to get a bike in there. MY wife says I'm a hoarder. And I say I'M a saver. I guess will just have to agree to disagree.

 

[Bolts]

Gonna try and get some files Scott, great idea.
When I was a young kid, my wife and I rented a small place with a single car garage. I had a woodie that needed everything. I found one that was missing a lot, but had what I needed for $25. Towed it back to the apartment and had to take it apart to get it and my car in. Fenders and doors hanging on the wall, rear axle tilted up and tied in pace with rope, tailgate on the wall, tires and wheels everywhere, trans in the corner, dash parts hanging up, on and on-- It's a wonder the wall didn't come crashing down. You could just squeeze in to get into the car to move it out to do anything. Had to leave the chassis in the alley for a few days. Made the landlord happy, oh yeah. Rented a cutting torch and cut up the big parts and towed them away on a trailer. Fun times.

 

[fordscript]

I got a lot of wooden shelving out of an old Austin dealership....looked good to begin with.......

 

[malpais]

Sure wish I would quit "saving".

Lots of shelving and stuff on the walls, in the rafters. Wouldn't work in regular garage.

 

[Karl Wescott]

Its simple

For a true gearhead the equation is:

available space X 2 = collection size.

end of story

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

Stuff expands and accumulates to overflow available space. Formula works for any conceivable size space...

 

[TagMan]

I used to have access to Xerox boxes when I was working, so I grabbed a bunch of them, ripped some 2"x4" lumber into 1½"x1½ pieces, cut up some scrap plywood and made the shelving unit in the pic below. I was in a hurry, so it isn't pretty, but I have the boxes stuffed with small parts and the boxes labeled so I can find stuff in a hurry. Had it for 15+ years and it's held up well. Saved a lot of room.......

 

[adileo]

Rowdy - your not foolin us that's Bob Drakes stock room")

 

[johnh7]

I bought two 8' tall and 10' long commercial shelving units. They will hold 2,000 lbs per shelf. They hold all my extra stuff and my supplies. I also use two file cabinets like others are using. My wife offered to make me curtains for my shelving units... I declined

 

[41panelmark]

Here are various pic's from the old parts barn (now torn down) and pic's from the shop storage over the last few years. Getting ready to move a building from the farn to my back yard so I can finish moving parts from the farm. Farm is going to be sold in the next few years, so am selling alot of the bigger parts stored outside soon. Rod

Looks like there could be a lot of needed parts in those boxes.

 

[raceron1120]

I got a lot of wooden shelving out of an old Austin dealership....looked good to begin with.......

I'd say it looks better NOW!

 

[Rowdy]

I could only wish at this point to be any competition with Drakes or any other part supplier. What started out to be spare parts has turned into a very small side business. Had about $8500 in sales in recent years. Sales have slagged greatly this year, but most of that is my fault as I have been dealing with other things. Hoping the rest of this year is better than it has been so far. Digging deaper in the piles of parts soon. Will start selling of the T parts in Sept. As it is too hot right now to be outside salvaging those parts. Health issues keep me from working in the high heat. Lingering affects from Kemo keep me out of the cold, so I have to work fast when the temps are nice. On my days off I try to be done with outside work by 11 am. this time of year, so get up very early. Rod

 

[Bolts]

Hey Rowdy,
The metal shelves with cardboard file boxes would help things if I could remember which box I had put it in. I don't know what to do with tires and big stuff though.
Hope your health improves and your strength returns.

 

[Elmo Rodge]

Both my shop (40x40) and my house (2400 sq ft old school house) are F.A.F.S. First Available Flat Surface. Wayno

 

[fordscript]

I'd say it looks better NOW!

Thanks Raceron, I needed that bit of reassurance.