Which ply for garage storage?

[pike]

I'd like to build some power tool storage in my garage, like the systainer shelves in this guys van.

Tempted to just screw it together incase I want to change things later. Second option is runners or grooves for drawers.

My question is should I go for sheets of 18mm ply (about £30), 25mm ply (£35+) or 18mm birch ply (£50+)? Birch would obviously be nice but it starts to look like silly money compared to off the shelf storage.

Cheers,
Carl.

 

[fraxinus]

Just for storage in a garage I would use 18mm ply or even 12mm in some places if it wasn't taking anything particularly heavy. As nice as it is, birch ply seems a waste of money to me for something that you aren't going to be looking at a huge amount compared to if it was in your house.

 

[pike]

Makes sense, thanks. I think it works out at about half the price and I just need to be careful with screws.

 

[Roughcut]

Looks like Far Eastern Plywood to me in the photo.
I agree that Birch ply is too rich for the intended purpose.

 

[MrYorke]

Or head to your local IKEA if you have one close by as they regularly put out packing materials. I've had loads of 12-18mm chipboard from them. All for free. It's basic stuff but ok for making simple storage bits and bobs

 

[Alexam]

Alternatively, the 4-5 shelf units available in B&Q are only £19 for the 4 shelf and I have just added 2 of these in my garage. Only takes about an hour to bolt them together - eazy-peazy. I use them, for storing my timber etc

 

[fraxinus]

If you do end up making your own using plywood or chipboard as Mryorke suggested, pilot hole your screws before driving them in and you'll be fine.

 

[pike]

Thanks all. 18mm (maybe 25mm) ply with pilot drilled screws it is I was having a moment thinking I can't do anything proper with regular ply but a quick look in my shed proves myself wrong.

 

[JonnyW]

Yep either or will do. I used 25mm to cupboard/shelf out all of my garage/workshop and used the same for the cupboard doors - doors painted white with black T hinges and slip bolts. Looks quite nice and throws some much needed light back into the garage. My cupboards stand floor to ceiling and cover a couple of walls. Everything in its place. I get accused quite regularly of being a bit OCD and anal, as my workshop/garage is freaky neat and tidy, but it's for my own sanity as I hate having to search for something I know is in my workshop/garage.

I used 25mm as I was unsure what was to be stored on the shelves.

My father-in-law used high density fibreboard or the moisture resistant fibreboard as I think it's called. A much more stable material if you are thinking about making doors to hide the mess behind, like wot I did - especially if your garage is unheated.

Regards

Jonny

 

[Woodchips2]

Not much help to the OP but I love to see the innovative ways people fit out their vans :lol: The one illustrated is great and I imagine took many hours to design and construct =D>

Regards Keith

 

[pike]

Not much help to the OP but I love to see the innovative ways people fit out their vans :lol: The one illustrated is great and I imagine took many hours to design and construct =D>

Regards Keith

Me too Did you google search the image and find the whole page? http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/2011/07/15/van-racking/

 

[JonnyW]

Wow. Absolutely amazing.

I used to work for the Council as a joiner, and it became like a competition to see who could kit out their van the best. Until our foreman put a stop to it when a former colleague took over a week to kit out his Boxer. To this day, we still don't know what went in his time sheet!!!

Jonny