Overhead Wood Storage

[bigstick509]

Having ran out of floor square footage some time ago in my shop(garage),I've been trying to utilize overhead cubic footage.I've been working around and tripping over a pile of sheet goods and boards that I'd like to get up and out of the way. I did a search but did not find any threads with pics that were still working. Any suggestions would be welcome.

[Jim-Iowa]

the stick goods are easy. Do a search for posts by Rod Kirby.
Not long ago he posted pictures of hangers from the rafters.
On the sheet goods well the area and weight makes that more difficult. I have considered a platform with pulleys mounted to the rafters. But you would need a way to tie off the cables.

[BobSch]

quote:Originally posted by Jim-Iowa

...I have considered a platform with pulleys mounted to the rafters. But you would need a way to tie off the cables.

Use a boat winch.

[Deadhead]

Issue # 82 (July/August 2005) of ShopNotes just did an article on garage lifts. They had 2 different overhead storage devices.

Maybe someone how has it handy can provide more details.

[Jim-Iowa]

quote:Originally posted by BobSch

quote:Originally posted by Jim-Iowa

...I have considered a platform with pulleys mounted to the rafters. But you would need a way to tie off the cables.

Use a boat winch.

Good thinking Bob that might just be the ticket!

[Popeye]

These are pretty simple and at times a pita because you have to fool around with stock to see what you have but............they are simple, cheap and have been working for quite a few years now. Sized to screw into the rafters. Another one is gonna get built real soon.
Put up with heavy duty lag eyes, chain, and eyebolts.
Guess it would have helped if I'd put in the link..... ah it was early. http://bt3gallery.fhauto.com/view_ph...shop&id=Da_Saw Pat

[Stick]

Previous owner of my farm was a cabinet maker. He had a frame in the garage with heavy duty hinges at one end and a winch for sheet goods. He quit using that when he converted an old wooden grainery for keeping stock. So now I have an entire 12X16 building with racks for dimensioned lumber and slots for sheet goods, and bins for cutoffs. Yeah, I know, funny isn't it? Lumber storage building bigger than some shops. I know, I suck.

[BobSch]

quote:Originally posted by Stick

Previous owner of my farm was a cabinet maker. He had a frame in the garage with heavy duty hinges at one end and a winch for sheet goods. He quit using that when he converted an old wooden grainery for keeping stock. So now I have an entire 12X16 building with racks for dimensioned lumber and slots for sheet goods, and bins for cutoffs. Yeah, I know, funny isn't it? Lumber storage building bigger than some shops. I know, I suck.

Keeps us from saying it.

[dlminehart]

So, with a platform for sheet goods in the middle rear of my garage, where would I put a boat winch? On the wall that's 5' over, at a reasonable distance down from the ceiling, with a pulley straight above it allowing the cable to then go over to above the platform? I think the hinged style sounds good . . . one would only have to crank the front end back up. If it were suspended 6" from the 9' ceiling and lowered 45 degrees, the bottom would be about 4' off the floor. If the front edge of the platform had a a rounded lip that would keep stuff from sliding down while tilted, I could lean the end of the MDF against the platform and push it up until it cleared the retaining lip. Now, to locate a source for boat winches!

[BobSch]

quote:Originally posted by dlminehart

...Now, to locate a source for boat winches!

HF of course>

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=30905

or, if you want to get fancy

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=3442

[bigstick509]

I just thought I'd post what I finally came up with for my wood storage problem. Platform made of 1x3 and 3/8 plywood,done for weight reduction.Total measurements are 4'x8',and 20" off of ceiling.Building platform was strait forward unlike getting it up and attached to the ceiling. I used every trick in the book to get the platform up 10' off the floor by myself,stacking cribs,dead men supports and a variety of support tables. I had planed on using the HF rope hoist that I purchased last winter but was unable to locate it,probably under the stack on wood that is going up onto the new storage platform. Anyway,all thats left to do is a coat of paint and transfer the wood up top.

[dlminehart]

Over the weekend, I had to stash a couple of 4x8 sheets in my garage. I considered overhead, but it looked like a lot of work, expense, and awkwardness. Instead, I took advantage of the fact that I have four of those 6' high, 18" deep, 4' wide chromed steel mobile shelving units stationed in two banks of two. This makes for a shelving setup that is 36" wide, 8' long, and 6' high. What I did was move the units so that there was about 9" between them (45" wide x 8' long x 6' high). I picked up an 10' length of 1/2" conduit, cut 6 equal sections from it. I cut six 8" sections of 3/4" PVC pipe to slip over the conduit. Also six 8" sections of foam pipe insulation to serve as cushions. Drilled a hole near the end of each piece of conduit to insert a dangling nail to prevent the conduit sliding around. Put 3 of these conduit+PVC+foam + nail gizmos straddling the bottom shelves of each of the 4 shelving units. Made enough room to slide in my two sheets of plywood, and space for a couple more. Total cost about $5.

[LCHIEN]

quote:Originally posted by bigstick509

I just thought I'd post what I finally came up with for my wood storage problem. Platform made of 1x3 and 3/8 plywood,done for weight reduction.Total measurements are 4'x8',and 20" off of ceiling.Building platform was strait forward unlike getting it up and attached to the ceiling. I used every trick in the book to get the platform up 10' off the floor by myself,stacking cribs,dead men supports and a variety of support tables. I had planed on using the HF rope hoist that I purchased last winter but was unable to locate it,probably under the stack on wood that is going up onto the new storage platform. Anyway,all thats left to do is a coat of paint and transfer the wood up top.

Can't really see how stout the metal angles are on the ceiling and what size bolts you used. Looks like a lag screw every four or six inches?

But as much weight as there may be and being overhead, I'd be worried about the nearest bolt carrying all the weight because the metal angle stuff used is just sheet metal bent and not stiff enuf to share the load with the other screws. The near screw will carry most of the load, Once the near screw pulls out the whole thing will fall.

Have you looked into using some screws into the side of the rafters (requiring holes to be cut in the ceiling). Shear load on the multiple bolts will be much better than carrying the load on the threads.

Maybe I'm just worrying but I don't think that looks safe to me.

[pierhogunn]

David, how about some pictures of what you put together...

Dan

[bigstick509]

LCHIEN,thanks for the insight.I'm in the process of beefing up the supports.I will post pics when completed. It was my intention to just store 1-by and 2-by in the overhead,but a little more support won't hurt.That way when I overload it with sheet goods cut-offs I won't have to worry.