Where to Store Power Tools with No Garage Space

dufflover on 03/08/2024 - 14:32

Partner and I are in the process of looking for a new house, and one big issue is that most places are a single car garage, many smaller than the already pretty current one which is 3.5m x 6m.

Issue is my current use case is the garage holds all my power tools, small work bench, etc. and primarily leave the car on the driveway. I do have an area marked off inside where if I need to put the car in (e.g. forecast big hail) I can squeeze the car in and barely open the door. But it's hardly useable as a daily situation.
We are going to get a new car soon as well so want to leave it in the garage full-time.

The main issue are the fixed square footprint tools like the OzB favourite Ozito/Workzone mitre saw, table saw, planer. Including other stuff that isn't going to fit nicely or be used inside the house. Even the big bags of charcoal I'd rather not put in the house lol.
My thought is a place with a bigger yard and getting a "premium" garage shed which is more insulated so stuff doesn't rust. The minimum seems to be those outdoor "pods"/studios, that are a step above a bog standard garden shed where stuff still rusts, but they usually have a big min foot print themselves.

We have found some double garage and the odd 1.5 garage places but they are obviously far fewer and typically a higher property price.

Any other solutions people use on OzB or shed suggestions, maybe a type I don't know about?

Home & Garden Power Tool

Comments

  • brad1-8tsi on 03/08/2024 - 15:04

    can't you build a mezzanine or shelf on a pulley system for storage?

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 03/08/2024 - 15:34
      -1

      Was thinking the same till op said tools like table saw.

      I thought about adding in some rails for heavy duty storage for items example - for items that we don’t use often (eg Christmas decorations) - and keep a list of what’s in where using a qr system linked to a Dropbox hosted excel.

  • Nugs on 03/08/2024 - 15:56
    +6

    isn't that what spare bedrooms are for?
    .

    • dufflover on 04/08/2024 - 23:10

      For all my 3D printer junk lol, not sure dusty dirty power tools will be welcome :P

  • outlander on 03/08/2024 - 16:56
    +1

    Outdoor storage, in plastic tubs. That's my plan. It's less accessable, but most of the time when you're pulling out a drill or a saw, it's a job that will take a few hours, so 5 minutes to pull out the tub with the right parts is not a big deal.

    How often do you see yourself needing a workshop? Will you be in there multiple nights a week, or is it a once-a-month type activity

    • dufflover on 04/08/2024 - 23:13

      Pretty rare so that kind of use case might work. But from my memory of the Bunnings isles not sure there are containers big enough for that type of power tool?
      But yeah it's one idea to look into more 👍

  • star-ggg on 03/08/2024 - 17:41
    +1

    Look for a house with a bigger yard where you can build a "garden studio". They're not that expensive if you don't need water or plumbing. Definitely a lot cheaper than trying to find the "perfect" property.

    https://gardenhouse24.com.au/timber-products-for-sale-austra…

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 03/08/2024 - 17:54

    I think you are seeking a shed….?

    • dufflover on 04/08/2024 - 23:14

      Already have a small shed where I've had garden tools rust.

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 05/08/2024 - 20:19

        But we know how rust occurs, you can easily prevent that in a shed.

  • Ghost47 on 03/08/2024 - 19:37

    Throw up a gazebo and store them in that.

  • elgrande on 03/08/2024 - 19:42
    +1

    Get a keter shed, the plastic ones.

  • JIMB0 on 03/08/2024 - 20:36
    -2

    Get a place with a double or triple garage.

    • Minimum chips on 03/08/2024 - 22:44
      +3

      I just hand the tools to my butler.

  • sneezy on 03/08/2024 - 20:47
    +5

    I use an old 4 drawer filing cabinet. Store a lot of power tools, around 12 I think.

  • Euphemistic on 04/08/2024 - 06:49
    +1

    Seems youve answered your own question. You need the space to either have the tools in the garage, park on the driveway (but not across the nature strip), or get a garden shed. Ultimately, you either have space and power tools or you dont. I could not buy a house that didnt have a workspace, its a non-negotiable.

    Storage above the car bonnet space may work but wont be a convenient workspace.

  • FAIL on 04/08/2024 - 09:10
    +4

    I'd go a decent little shed, ideally one with a roller door entry, Stratco do them which look decent. Just make sure there is good ventilation so as not to promote moisture as that will kill your tools pretty quickly. I even put the little silica gel packets into any storage tubs I use in my shed which helps heaps

    • dufflover on 04/08/2024 - 23:20

      Is that a different type to the ones I've found so far like "SheShed" which is kinda similar to the Garden Studio mentioned above?

  • iminabrons on 04/08/2024 - 14:38

    Waterproof garden box

  • 82norm on 04/08/2024 - 14:58

    Consider a decent gabled carport and the shed for your tools. What about attic space the roof. Pita if you’re constantly needing your tools…. If rusting is a concern, line the walls with sarking, insulation.

  • JIMB0 on 05/08/2024 - 09:25

    We are going to get a new car soon as well so want to leave it in the garage full-time.

    Keep the old car and park it outside until you can afford a place with a garage big enough for your tools and new car. Gotta get your priorities right.

  • Dollar General on 05/08/2024 - 20:32
    -2

    Simple choice. Keep the power tools and ditch the partner or vice versa

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