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Temporary Storage Workshop Contents

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KMP14/08/2011 12:29:49
73 forum posts
2 photos

Hi, I need to empty my current workshop (double garage) to allow work to be done to the roof. The machinery will need to be out for 3-4 weeks and I currently have no other buildings that I can store it in. There are some 8 major machines with the heaviest being about 900Kg and the usual stack of small tooling; much of it is new and thus important to keep rust free. I have considered hiring a container but advice is that the large trees over the drive would preclude delivery and placement. The current start date is Oct/Nov so can’t assume good weather.

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I would appreciate any thoughts or experience of a suitable temporary method of storage that wouldn’t break the small bank I have available. I have considered moving it about 10 miles to “storage” but that in itself is a major undertaking and I have no fork lift available to load/unload at either end. How do new machines cope outside under tarpaulins? Has anyone experience of the “flat pack” containers that come for self assembly? Any ideas would be a great deal of help.
 
Best regards
Keith
Bogstandard14/08/2011 13:11:30
263 forum posts
I have done major garden storage twice over the last fifteen years.
 
I used waxoil sprayed over machinery bedways and other shiny bits and stood on 3"x2" dunnage and then covered with tarps. The first one was for 6 months over a winter period and no harm befell the machinery at all, except for a large influx of spiders.
 
The second time, just over 3 years ago, when I did a major upgrade of my workshop, and was mainly brand new tooling. It was scattered throughout my garden, wherever it could be squeezed into, even under and on the garden swing. Again just stood on dunnage, kept oiled and covered up. Not one sign of rust anywhere.
 
It is when things actually get wet with no protection on them that problems arise. The waxoil and ventilation took care of everything else.
 
 
John
Nicholas Farr14/08/2011 14:17:04
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3988 forum posts
1799 photos
Hi Keith, I would agree with John's method, but will stress the importance of the use of dunnage, with at least 2" thick but 4" to 6" would be better. Whatever you do, don't stand anything derectly on the ground, and keep any weeds ect. at bay around them, ventilalation is important. If you can devise a method of holding the tarpaulin off the machines, this will also help, and try not to let rain puddles to build up on your tarpaulins.
 
Regards Nick.
Jon14/08/2011 14:30:41
1001 forum posts
49 photos
Currently coming to the end of having to do the same 10 1/2 months.
All machinery inc a CNC Boxford, benches, bandsaw, circular saws, cabinets, hoover and tooling etc what i can do without is either outside under Tarpaulin or in the house boxed
I didnt even spray with an oil, its all ok from Oct last year, think it snowed that little bit 3 times, you will be fine.
I have a good mrs.

Just sold a Harrison 140 being collected 22 Aug, its currently in the way, no benches, nothing until gone. Just need to get rid of a Conquest never used it since bought.
I would certainly not entertain the idea of shifting the other Harrison or mill even with a 1
tonne engine hoist.
 
Can you not leave the major heavier bulkier machines where they are?
 
Gordon W14/08/2011 15:52:54
2011 forum posts
Will reinforce the above, all will be well outside, with tarps or plastic sheet, I put lengths of old timber on the m/cs to try to keep clear of surfaces. Must be stood clear of ground, with heavy plastic as "damp course", I used old ply ( shuttering ply). This is useful for moving the m/cs, slide on steel sheet for the heavier stuff, or pipe rollers.
Peter Tucker15/08/2011 03:45:45
185 forum posts
Hi Keith,
 
I don't under stand what is being done to your roof. I would expect a reroof to be done in a day ( by two men ), or if the roof needs reframing two to three days ( or get more men in ). In any case the gear shouldn't need moving just covering. If they were working on the house roof you wouldn't expect to have to move your self and all your stuff out? I would have a serious talk with other builders or look at doing it yourself, it's not hard.
 
Anyway good luck.
 
Peter.
WALLACE15/08/2011 11:56:38
304 forum posts
17 photos
You could always hire one of those steel shipping containers for a month. They come in various sizes and are pretty secure !
 
 
W.
 
 
KMP15/08/2011 15:28:18
73 forum posts
2 photos
Good afternoon all thanks for all the excellent advice and particularly the boost to my sagging confidence. It looks like it may not be the major expense I feared and SWMBO has already started clearing out the conservatory for the items that can be boxed.
John, thank you very much for taking the time to post with your experience it is much appreciated; I hope thinks are all OK. I have to say that I have read all of your posts that I can find and both enjoyed and learnt much from them. For some unknown reason (pure luck) I bought a fair amount of 3 x 2 from the local B&Q which was on offer a few weeks back so it looks like I have a use for it already. I have a fairly sheltered area of paving which is easy to access so will see what I can fit in there.
 
Nick, thanks for your comments – the weeds grow thick and fast round here, even through the gaps in the paving. I have a number of 4 inch fence posts so thought of them directly on the ground over some of that weed preventing fabric and the 3 x 2s on top.
 
Jon, I hope it doesn’t take as long as your project. I’m also not keen on moving the heaviest machines as I only have the engine hoist. I have just moved my Bridgeport (complete) but only lifted it far enough to get some rollers underneath and that caused some serious creaking. We must both be lucky as my SWMBO is a huge support in my mad schemes.
 
Gordon, thanks, I have plenty of odd sized wood to make up some sort of frame but no source of cheap ply. I was wondering if that cheap OSB would be OK for the short time it should take.
 
Peter, thanks, you have exposed my lack of detail in the original question. Unfortunately, it is not the roof but what is under it that is the problem. I am still waiting for the written report of the “bulk sampling” but from the experience of the analyst it looks like everything needs to be moved out or treated as contaminated hazardous waste after. It is also possible that I am “notifiable” but my wife says she has always known that. If I can find an honest contractor (yes I know), as the amount is relatively small I would hope to get an exemption from a full wet strip, then again I would not wish to put anyone at risk at all.
 
Wallace, I’m afraid that the arch formed by the trees lining the drive my wife likes so much precludes the use of a shipping container. I am looking at the possibility of the “flat packed” container but they seem to be sold rather than hired.
 
Apologies for the long winded reply but I am grateful for all the excellent ideas and comments, thanks again.
 
Best regards
Keith
KMP21/10/2011 20:40:49
73 forum posts
2 photos
Hi all, just a quick update to say thank you all for the excellent advice you took the trouble to post in answer to my question. Just moved the final machine back into the "cleaned" workshop and unpacked it, not a single patch of rust on any of the machines that were outside under tarpaulins for a month despite some serious rain and winds. Now I have to decide on a new layout for them all, some new benches, new power points and...............
 
Thanks again to all
 
Regards
 
Keith
Jon24/10/2011 00:47:47
1001 forum posts
49 photos
Told you would be ok, i have stuff still outside 12 months on.
Last month did bring in the little cnc and hoover.
 
Takes serious time sorting power points, shelving and work benches built in.
 
I would tend to position the main machinery where you are comfortable working.
Might sound stupid but say if the bigger lathe was further down i would be less inclined to do anything. What i usually need is around me within a few paces either way 95% of the time.
I like the natural light.

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