Here's a relatively inexpensive tool storage idea I've used (twice, once in my current shop, and once in my former shop):

A long time ago, had a contractor work on my house when I was away, and one of the side benefits was a whole bunch of tools disappeared from my garage. For about the next year it seemed everytime I went to get something from the garage I discovered there was one more item was missing than I thought.

Sometime thereafter I saw an ad for surplus self-storage doors in a local paper. So I framed in a "closet" for my toolchest and other stuff on the back wall of the garage, just about 32" deep, then installed a 6-foot self-storage rollup door on the closet. Want to do some work in the garage - just roll up the door and there's all the tools. And its handy when I'm working on something really dusty (like sanding) because I can roll down the door and keep all the dust off my tool cabinets etc. When I'm done, roll it down and lock it. The bonus - kids, dogs and spouses don't get a key!

A self-storage door (new) costs between $40 and $120 depending on height and width, including all mounting hardware. The first one I bought used for $10. Garage door outfits can order one to suit your size and color, and one person can install it.

With a decent lock in place, nobodys getting my tools again .

 

That IS a cool idea. Think I'll try that. My garage has a cubbyhole in the front that's like 5ft wide and 7ft deep. I could put a door on that, and instant walk-in storage closet!

 

I live in a 1920's bungalow. I am either the only one or about the only one left in my area that has the coal storage room structurally intact. The old "paper" liner is long gone, but I can lock it up and I have my own little tool crib.

 

Good tip I really like that idea

 

A very good idea, but I find it very sad that you have to lock things up that are in your own garage. It's a sad statement about our society.

Have a great day,
Doc

 

Does anyone have any web-sites on where I might find these roll-up doors; either new or used?

 

I believe menards carries them

 

possibilities:

call some of the self-storage (aka mini-storage) facilities in your area - they may have extras that they will sell from re-configuring spaces

you can Google the internet for mini-storage buildings and get about 20 hits on manufacturers. I bought my last door through a local garage door company - they special ordered it for me in my color and size.

PS - I also used a self-storage roll up door for the garage door to my shop - I special ordered an 8 foot tall roll-up door (versus the 7-foot standard height garage door). For those of you who don't know, these doors roll up around a spring-loaded metal cylinder at the top of the door. The advantage to them is they can be installed in shallow spaces (less than 24" deep) and when the door is open, it doesn't block the lights on the ceiling. They aren't, however, very good for sealing out the cold, being non-insulated metal doors.

There's several suppliers of these doors out there.

 

Do you have any pics of your setup and shop?

 

Will get a picture showing the self-storage door inside the garage and post it.