THE NEW STORAGE SHED
Even though we've been using the Storage Trailer for several years now to contain a lot of our parts and equipment, there is still something missing. We have a lot of larger equipment that still needs a better place to be contained that would put all those items in one good place. This is where the New Storage Shed idea comes into play. Part of this stems from the batch of portable garage tubing parts that I still have laying around. There's more than enough pieces to throw together a frame, but I would have to do some things to make this a viable structure that will do what I ask of it. I plan on storing most of the larger hardware, like the air compressor, cement mixer, and/or the different large power garden tools. There's a couple generators I want to store in here too, especially after I get the whole house genny hooked up. Garden tools will go in here. First thing I will have to do is build a foundation out of 2x6 lumber and 4x8 plywood, all pressure treated of course. From here I threw together the frame, using the vertical pieces that would be anchored to the ground, along with connecting pieces of tubing to keep everything stable and plumb. The roof frames will go on top of the vertical pieces, and be further connected with more tubing, then a second row of connecting tubing as put in place along the top of the "walls". Lastly I added a couple extra pieces of vertical tubing along the two end walls to split the opening up so instead of a large 8ft opening, its split into 4ft sections. This will make it a little easier to attach the corrugated sheet metal that will clad the walls and roof.
As for the corrugated sheet metal, after sourcing a batch of used metal from a local guy, I used a bunch of self tapping screws to attach the sheet metal to the tubing frame. On the ends I had to cut pieces that would fit the angled points on the roof. Even then I will still seal the gaps with expanding foam. As for the door, this was made using leftover tubing to make a frame that is held up with heavy hinges and clad with more sheet metal. A sliding latch bolted in place allows for the door to be held closed. To top things off, I added an outdoor motion sensor light to light up the area in the event we have to go to the shed at night. I also added a 4ft LED shop light in the middle to light up the shed for those night time episodes where we might need to grab something from inside.
With power applied to the line feeding the shed, our LED flood light has power. This light is a motion/dusk/dawn light. It is currently set to dusk/dawn to illuminate the back area so we can make our way to the shed with minimum use of extra light.
A 2x4 board was attached between one of the overhead frame tubes and the end of the wall. A hole was drilled through the tubes on either side to allow a wood screw to be put through to the board. This board has hook bolts in place, along with bungee cords used to hold the larger power garden tools vertically instead of leaving the tools on the floor or propped against the wall. Note the compressors and push mower stored below the hanging tools.
With the aid of a 2x4x8 cut in half, two more boards are secured to the overhead frame tubes to provide a makeshift storage area for manual garden tools as can be seen here.
Fast forward to the present, along with the horizontal framework that was used to hanging some tools as well as supporting other items overhead, I took a moment to add a couple of shelves made from old pallets and 2x4's on the let third of the shed, making for plenty of room to store anything from boxes or crates full of smaller items or other larger yet light items like a spare cooler or extra tote containers. The shelves are made to allow for the storage of the heaviest items like the log splitter or auger on the floor yet under the shelf to keep them out of the way. The shed capitalizes on vertical storage to allow for as much storage capability as possible on the smallest footprint. As time progresses and we continue to declutter, we can better organize the Storage Shed to be more easily navigable and not as crowded with hardware.
