Improved sheet storage

**LanceC** · 26th October 2019, 05:55 PM

We generally don't use a lot of plywood and MDF sheet goods. You would then think we would not have much to store, which would discount the fact that leftovers stick around for a while. With the cost of good plywood, I don't want to use it up on more utilitarian projects, so half of a nice 18 mm hardwood sheet may be in for a long stay. This along with the odd pieces of MDF, steel plate and acrylic means there is stock that needs storage.

There is a tension between compact storage, accessibility and being able to quickly identify what I have on hand when making projects, jigs or what not.

In order to improve the situation, I made a rolling cart several years ago. The idea was that it would sit against the garage door, and could be rolled out of the way when more space was required. It quickly became evident that without active management, it became a mess. Additionally, extracting less than full dimension sheets necessitated a fair bit of juggling, and it's is very rare that full size sheets are stored.

Over time, it got heavier, floor space got more valuable, and all in all it just became a poor solution. While I've had an idea of a vertical unit for a while, I've always struggled with maintaining easy access to smaller offcuts. Whilst in the shed with my wife earlier in the week, I again lamented the shortcomings in my proposed design. A brief pause, and she responded with "why not just leave half the side off". That would do it! Without delay, I shot off to the hardware shop and bought the required materials, and whipped it up in an afternoon and evening.

Then this morning, despite being exhausted from two days away cycling the Tasmanian wilderness, I transferred the contents across, and turned the old unit into kindling and stock ready for use.

Being placed behind the door, means it doesn't use up much usable space at all.

When pulling my old one apart, I found my signature and date of 2017. This one has now been signed and dated too. Hopefully it will last a little longer.

Kind regards,
Lance

**Simplicity** · 26th October 2019, 06:28 PM

That’s a fantastic idea,lance I like the it’s not taking up too much of the realestate,
Does your wife to design consultation on the side [emoji6].

Cheers Matt.

**aldav** · 26th October 2019, 06:45 PM

Well that's all very nice Lance, but now where are you going to hang your clamps?

**LanceC** · 26th October 2019, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by aldav

Well that's all very nice Lance, but now where are you going to hang your clamps?

You had me scratching my head there for a while wondering how on earth you knew that my clamp storage needed to change. Then it dawned on me that the were some clamps (wonderful clamps they are by the way) on the old rack, which my wife is using on a project currently underway.

You see my clamp storage used to be on the wall next to the door, right where the new sheet storage is!

I relocated them to a temporary spot on the other side of the shed untill I figure out something more permanent.

Kind regards,
Lance

**LanceC** · 26th October 2019, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by Simplicity

That’s a fantastic idea,lance I like the it’s not taking up too much of the realestate,
Does your wife to design consultation on the side [emoji6].

Cheers Matt.

She does do the odd bit of residential drafting and design from time to time

. I realised a while ago that her ability to visualise size and space far outstrips mine. You should see her play tetris!

Kind regards
Lance

**labr@** · 26th October 2019, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by LanceC

her ability to visualise size and space far outstrips mine.

Sheer understatement Lance - let's face it, she's a bloomin genius!

I reckon this is a problem - and solution - that would apply to hundreds of us. Thanks for posting.

**twosheds** · 1st November 2019, 08:34 AM

Uh Oh.... Looks like I've just added a new project to my 'to do' list. Might even get bumped up to near the top of the list.

I really like your design Lance, it might just get copied in my shed.

Regards
Twosheds

**LanceC** · 1st November 2019, 08:57 AM

If you do build it, one point to note that I never mentioned in the build, and it may not be obvious from the photos, is that I added a 100 mm section to each of the vertical panels, otherwise fitting in a full sheet will be a tricky affair.

Kind regards,
Lance

**Stratman** · 26th January 2020, 09:56 PM

Great idea and well executed, Lance!

Consider your idea 'stolen'

Regards Adam

P. S. I'm way out of practice, but I see a Tetris challenge on the horizon!
(the tension at my parents' house when an ex-girlfriend came to visit and the Tetris gauntlet was laid down... We'll.... You didn't want to mess up because it would be AGES until you got another go!

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