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Thoughts on tool storage welcome.

O

oldtanker

Well-known Member
When I first moved back here I converted one end of the barn to use as a shop. Well now that I'm farming the place myself and trying to sty out of debt, I find myself in a dilemma. I need the barn for critters. Wife's chickens, a few rabbits that are supposed to be for meat although the grand daughters may win that fight, wife's goats and shelter for the cows. Not a huge issue because the machinery is getting too big to get close enough to the barn. So I'm hauling tools out to work on equipment then having to put them away again. I'm thinking of building up a 2 axle trailer and enclosing it to hold my tools, compressor and welding equipment. I could just pull it up alongside of whatever I have to work on and go to it. I figure I'd have to get a generator big enough to power the welder and compressor. I don't want to go into debt to build a dedicated shop right now but pouring a slab big enough to split a 100 plus HP tractor on would be doable.

Thought? Comments? Suggestions?

Rick
 
I would look for a trailer made from a utility bed. Lots of storage and I have seen them sell in my area for 500.00 to 1000.00 for a ten ft. one. As for power look at a Miller Bob Cat or similar. You have a welder and a generator in one unit. If you have a small compressor you will be good to go or buy a bigger commercial unit. If you need a tool box look at the "Montezuma" A frame, at your local JD dealer, they are cheaper for there size than anything I have seen(and hold a ton of tools). BTW, you may be able to by a truck with a bed and build your own cheaper, just watch CL.
 
Maybe an older cargo van like they use for
service vans. Worst case weld up a tongue
on it and ditch the front wheels, by the
time you drop the motor and trans the
weight should offset each other.
 
My neighbor bought a delivery "box" van similar to what UPS would drive. It had a shelled out engine in it, so he cut it at the cab firewall and put a hitch on it instead of the front axle. In effect, it's two wheeled trailer. He built shelves in it and can pull it to where ever he needs it. He's got the vice, generator and all in it.
 
You will think I am crazy, but buy a retired school bus. The last
I bought off a district was sealed bid and I got it for $800. I put
thousands of miles on it in my charter business. If you go with
a mid size (59 passenger) you will have room for all of that
plus a nice workbench space. They have enough guts to pull
something home if needed and a strong enough frame to put a
boom on to lift things like tires. If you aren't transporting people
a company like Progressive will put liability on it for $300 a
year. You have heaters for the winter - really the best of both
worlds. Don't want something big? Get a short bus. They tend
to run about twice the price. Buy from a district not a company
(first student) as most of the country buses were driven by the
same old gal it's whole service life. I never had a lick of trouble
with the ones I bought and took them on 18 hour trips on
business. I sold the charter business about 7 years back and
the last bus about three years ago. They are so handy. I will
buy one fairly soon and cut the top off most of it for a bale
wagon. They've got to pass yearly inspections (even if they are
retired) and have to be sold at 18 years (in KS). When you get
them they are ready for another 100k miles.
 
(quoted from post at 19:26:54 08/25/14) I would look for a trailer made from a utility bed. Lots of storage and I have seen them sell in my area for 500.00 to 1000.00 for a ten ft. one. As for power look at a Miller Bob Cat or similar. You have a welder and a generator in one unit. If you have a small compressor you will be good to go or buy a bigger commercial unit. If you need a tool box look at the "Montezuma" A frame, at your local JD dealer, they are cheaper for there size than anything I have seen(and hold a ton of tools). BTW, you may be able to by a truck with a bed and build your own cheaper, just watch CL.
Click to expand...

I've got a compressor. 7HP one. It's a brute. 80 gallon tank. If I get a genny big enough to power that it will power my existing Lincoln tombstone leaving me the money to add in a wirefeed. Had not thought about the truck box. Have to watch for one. Thanks

Rick
 
Maybe I just saw something that will help. There
was a house that burned down, of all places,
directly across from the firehouse last spring.
The people who owned it are just now rebuilding,
and the carpenter crew is Amish. They bought an
older horse trailer and have stocked it with
everything they need from a compressor and welder
to saws and tools, with a flip down tail gate and
a large tank on the tongue for air. Around here,
an older horse trailer doesn't go for much, but
they have really fixed this one up....
 
One of the neighbors has a cut down 1 ton truck with a utility bed on it. He put a gooseneck hitch on it. Mobile shop.
 
last weekend saw an old dual axle camper trailer sell for $90. 16 ft long with all tires ready to tow away. Would've made a good toolbox.
 

Keep your shop space in the barn. Cows don't need to be inside, just a crude three sided run in to keep the animal cruelty people off your back. I built a hen house once using native rough lumber to build an 8x8 deck, then walls with no frame but vertical boards instead. Rabbit hutches don't take up that much space.
 
(quoted from post at 04:55:48 08/26/14)
Keep your shop space in the barn. Cows don't need to be inside, just a crude three sided run in to keep the animal cruelty people off your back. I built a hen house once using native rough lumber to build an 8x8 deck, then walls with no frame but vertical boards instead. Rabbit hutches don't take up that much space.
Click to expand...

Well no they don't have to have much for shelter but when it's -20 without wind chill I like for them to have it.

But it's to the point without moving some dirt and taking out a few trees that I'd like to keep I can't get some of my equipment close to the barn. It was fine when I was renting the crop land and only had a 9' haybine. But now I'm spending a good deal of time fetching tools and putting them away.

I'm going to look into the bus idea. Plus I have an area that I can pour a concrete slab as a work area large enough to split a 100 plus HP tractor if needed. A slab that when I can afford to could be the floor of a shop.

Rick
 
DeeZee in 2007 had the largest tool boxes I could
find. I bought 3, one across the front and two
down the sides of pick up. I carry all the tools I
need in truck. Lock truck up at night in a secure
building with alarm.

I also have complete sets of tools in pole barn
and complete set in workshop.

Having tools in a trailer is asking for it. People
like to steal trailers as it is. Storing tools in
one would be really asking for it.

I also have small tool boxes on tractors for the
small things.
 
How about buying a dead bus...ie, no engine, just the body? Gotta go cheap, and just add a hitch to the front for moving it when necessary. Hitch clamps to the front axle and hooks to the tie rods. Just like homemade wagons of years ago. Dad never had a factory wagon- all were made out of old cars. Donate the seats to a threshing club for a people mover!
 
Rick,
I was told to put down a concrete floor when I
built my pole barn. Neighbors told me if I didn't
theifs would tunnel under and rob me blind.

How secure would a bus be with windows?

Perhaps the bus could be for the chickens.
 
Police are city. Here in the country you would be
lucky to see a county cop. If it isn't nailed down,
locked down it's history.

We've had a grandkids bike stolen from front
pourch, log splitter on wheels with flat tire
stolen. Left garage window open, theif went through
house, didn't find anything he wanted, same with
shed. There isn't anyone in the country who hasn't
had a broken in. Too many lazy meth heads.
 
(quoted from post at 05:33:59 08/26/14)
(quoted from post at 04:55:48 08/26/14)
Keep your shop space in the barn. Cows don't need to be inside, just a crude three sided run in to keep the animal cruelty people off your back. I built a hen house once using native rough lumber to build an 8x8 deck, then walls with no frame but vertical boards instead. Rabbit hutches don't take up that much space.
Click to expand...

Well [b:25d79fdc17]no they don't have to have much for shelter but when it's -20 without wind chill I like for them to have it.[/b:25d79fdc17]

But it's to the point without moving some dirt and taking out a few trees that I'd like to keep I can't get some of my equipment close to the barn. It was fine when I was renting the crop land and only had a 9' haybine. But now I'm spending a good deal of time fetching tools and putting them away.

I'm going to look into the bus idea. Plus I have an area that I can pour a concrete slab as a work area large enough to split a 100 plus HP tractor if needed. A slab that when I can afford to could be the floor of a shop.

Rick
Click to expand...
ut up a windbreak from first or second cut slabs.
My cows have never seen the inside of a barn and it gets here -40,..cows can handle it
 
(quoted from post at 15:16:34 08/26/14)
(quoted from post at 05:33:59 08/26/14)
(quoted from post at 04:55:48 08/26/14)
Keep your shop space in the barn. Cows don't need to be inside, just a crude three sided run in to keep the animal cruelty people off your back. I built a hen house once using native rough lumber to build an 8x8 deck, then walls with no frame but vertical boards instead. Rabbit hutches don't take up that much space.
Click to expand...

Well [b:cea6c83ccb]no they don't have to have much for shelter but when it's -20 without wind chill I like for them to have it.[/b:cea6c83ccb]

But it's to the point without moving some dirt and taking out a few trees that I'd like to keep I can't get some of my equipment close to the barn. It was fine when I was renting the crop land and only had a 9' haybine. But now I'm spending a good deal of time fetching tools and putting them away.

I'm going to look into the bus idea. Plus I have an area that I can pour a concrete slab as a work area large enough to split a 100 plus HP tractor if needed. A slab that when I can afford to could be the floor of a shop.

Rick
Click to expand...
ut up a windbreak from first or second cut slabs.
My cows have never seen the inside of a barn and it gets here -40,..cows can handle it
Click to expand...


LOL, I understand that but my wife doesn't. So barn shelter it is. I keep telling her they have fur/hair coats!

Rick
 
I have a 4WD dodge Dakota supercab with a tall camper shell its packed with tools I can drive it to the breakdown also have a 8ft X 4ft trailer I pull behind a garden tractor I have a good assortment of tools and a small Honda gas power air compresser to do small jobs.
 
A drill and any battery powered sawzall will cut a new doorway through the metal wall or sliding door of about any standard pole barn.

A co-worker had a break-in to his shop. The reinforced side door did stop them, but they just cut a hole in the wall next to the locked door to get inside.
 
Pickup camper or toolbox body mounted on an old wagon running gear.
Old tool van or a 4WD suburban.
A neighbor uses an old ambulance to carry his tools. That might be a better rig for someone like the tractor vet.

Eventually, it will be handy to keep a tool van inside a shed or garage. Tools stay drier under a roof, and the van is out of sight to intruders.
 
If you can beat the scrappers to one,
a Grumman step van would do nicely.
A lot are Chevy powered, dual wheels in the back,
roll-up doors, aluminum everything, etc.
I had one for a short time as a movable shed, until
someone offered me too much.
(He wanted it for camper/motorcycle hauler.)
 
The bus idea is a bust. I'm 6'5". Can't stand up strait in one. Anything I do has to have room for a large upright compressor, gas and arc welding equipment, drill press, metal cutting band saw, small bench, vice's and grinders and such. 2 roll away's worth of tools plus hardware storage.


But that said the ides are not bad at all.

Rick
 
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