Summary:
[[Image:BrokenShed.jpg|630px|thumb|left|Shed your broken backyard mess and make a new home for your tools. Photo by Donnie Nunley/[http://www.flickr.com/photos/dbnunley/4163920973/ flickr]/CC]]
{{#shtml:Template:Ryobi1}}
The shed. If you live in the 'burbs, chances are you have one of these in your backyard. If your name is [http://www.sloshspot.com/blog/09-04-2009/Trailer-Park-Boys-The-Timeless-Wisdom-of-Bubbles-209 Bubbles], you may well call one home. They're the place where we stuff everything that's needed to keep the lawn green, the snow shoveled, and the hedges clipped. Kids' outdoor toys, tools, gardening supplies, lawn furniture, BBQ accessories and pretty much anything else that you don't want in the house and don't have room for in the garage will inevitably end up tossed in the shed. This role as the dumping ground for so much stuff makes organization and maximization of the available space critical. And while shed manufacturers will happily sell you snap-on panels, shelving units and accessories for their products, if you're handy enough to fire up a power saw and operate a cordless screwdriver, you can do it yourself for a lot less. Even better, by doing it yourself, you can customize your shed to meet your needs exactly. No compromises.
[[Image:ShedBefore.jpg|630px|thumb|left|If your shed looks like this, it might be time to re-structure. Photo by Brad Moon, Wired.com]]
''This how-to was written by Brad Moon, who spends his days playing with gadgets, complaining aboot the music his kids listen to, dispensing tech industry advice to tech-wary investors, writing Wired.com How-Tos, blogging for GeekDad ? and slipping in Canadianisms whenever he can.''
==Planning==
Most of the sheds sold in the U.S. are kits, and the majority are fast-assemble models that provide the basics ? four walls, a door and a roof ? while using the minimum material possible. The walls are likely plastic or steel, materials that are light, weather-resistant and relatively inexpensive. Customizing these mass-produced sheds often means starting with at least partially framing the interior as a starting point. Those walls likely won't be capable of supporting shelves and the weight of tools on their own and the way to win the battle of the shed is to make the most of vertical space. That means utilizing walls. Framing the interior gives a solid base to work with and also serves to make the shed stronger (a good thing in these days of increasingly extreme weather).
'''PRO TIP''': You don't have to be a certified framer to do this. Remember, the shed is already structurally sound ? the purpose of the framing you're doing is to create a vertical surface that's solid enough to bear weight. You can use metal brackets and screws for attaching the studs together to make the job faster (a shortcut you can't use when framing a house). If you want a basic guideline to framing a wall, [http://wayneofthewoods.com/Tiphowtoframeawall.htm here's one]. Just remember to use the appropriate screw type (i.e, for plastic) at any point where the frame is attached to the wall itself.
==Make Sure You Have the Right Tools==
Assuming you're going to be working primarily with wood here (it's the easiest material to work with, it's inexpensive and long-lasting), a typical shed optimization project will require the following:
* Drill
* Impact driver
* Sander
* Circular saw (If there's demolition involved, a reciprocating saw is also very useful.)
* Flashlight
* Vacuum cleaner
You can skip the hammer. You want this to be as strong as possible and you also don't want to be pounding on a flimsy outer wall, so stick with screws instead of nails. And unless you're a masochist, go for power tools. Cutting lumber by hand is bad enough, but there will be a lot of drilling involved and that's just no fun without a power drill. Cut the cord if possible for maximum flexibility. Working in a shed can be confining and running an extension cord is a pain. If you have cordless power tools, this is the perfect project to showcase your prowess with them.
'''PRO TIP''': having a spare battery makes any project involving power tools a lot more pleasant. There's nothing more frustrating than calling a halt while waiting for your only battery to recharge. With two batteries, you can also minimize swapping of battery packs between tools. If possible, opt for lithium-ion batteries for faster charging and higher capacity.
This is the all-important step where you turn your shed from one of millions of identical plastic boxes into a model of storage efficiency. You want to be able to move around without stumbling over stuff, see everything at a glance and easily retrieve any item that you might need.
Remember: Go vertical! An average garden shed may have an 8- by 8-foot floor, with 7-foot-high ceilings. That's 64 square feet of floor space if you open the doors and toss stuff in. Maximize the walls, though, and you can gain another 180 square feet or so (allowing for the door). Include shelving and that available space goes up even more. Your ideal shed layout will vary from mine, but here are some ideas to get you started:
* Incorporate a shelving unit (you can build this or repurpose an existing one that's lying around the house) for stacking items. Make sure to anchor it securely to a wall.
* Installing a sheet of plywood over top of a framed section lets you mount an assortment of hooks, hangers and pegs for efficient hanging of garden tools. You can use pegboard for small items or a reconfigurable space, but for solid mounting nothing beats heavy-gauge hooks driven into wood.
* Add your stuff back in as you go so you can make adjustments. Unless you're a master planner, installing all the hooks, brackets and shelves at once, then moving everything back in is likely to end with some head scratching while you try to figure out why some things just don't fit the way you'd expected.
* You can easily pay $100 or more for a tire hanger to store seasonal wheels for a vehicle, but with $20 worth of two-by-fours and a sheet of plywood, you can make one that's sturdier and easily repurposed. In my sample photos, I have lawn furniture cushions stuffed on the shelf meant to accommodate my winter wheels.
==Construction==
We won't get into the nitty gritty details here. Basic shop class stuff will serve you well. The circular saw will cut any wood you'll use in this project, but remember your safety rules. (Wear goggles and keep your fingers away from the blade.) Here's a link to the ultimate [http://www.powertoolinstitute.com/pti_pages/safety.asp guide to power-tool safety] (from the Power Tool Institute). Oh yeah, and remember to measure twice, cut once. Sounds trite, but cut one two-by-four a quarter of an inch short and you'll realize someone came up with this for a reason.
[[Image:ShedProgress.jpg|630px|thumb|left|Photo by Brad Moon, Wired.com]]
'''PRO TIP''': If you have a demolition phase and want to make short work of it, a carefully wielded reciprocating saw can be your best friend. Ever tried to tear down an old metal shed with hundreds of screws rusted into place? It's not fun and even a sledgehammer will do little other than to dent the thing while leaving your ears ringing worse than an eight-hour Motorhead concert. Go to the hardware store, ask for a "Rescue Blade" for a reciprocating saw (firefighters use these things) and that shed will be reduced to a mound of scrap in minutes.
==Finishing Touches==
Once the construction is more or less complete, it pays to survey your handiwork and see if there are any improvements you could make that you didn't include in the original plan. In my case, this included mounting a series of hooks along the unused roofline to hang small, hand-held gardening tools and adding a solar-powered light (collector panel mounted above the door) to provide nighttime illumination in the shed, which lacks power.
[[Image:ShedFinal.jpg|630px|thumb|left|Photo by Brad Moon, Wired.com]]
<br clear="all" />
==Results==
If you spend a Saturday and $100 to $200 at the lumber store (including wood, screws, metal brackets, hooks, pegs and hangers), you will spend less than any pre-packaged kits cost, and end up with a shed that's stronger, far more efficient and completely customized to your needs.
==18V or 14.4V?==
If you're considering buying a cordless power tool set for this job, you'll notice that most companies offer either 14.4v or 18v models. While 14.4v versions may be slightly cheaper, 18v tools generally speaking are more powerful and will run for longer on a charge.
[[Category:DIY]]
[[Category:Lifestyle]]
{{#shtml:Template:Ryobi1}}
The shed. If you live in the 'burbs, chances are you have one of these in your backyard. If your name is [http://www.sloshspot.com/blog/09-04-2009/Trailer-Park-Boys-The-Timeless-Wisdom-of-Bubbles-209 Bubbles], you may well call one home. They're the place where we stuff everything that's needed to keep the lawn green, the snow shoveled, and the hedges clipped. Kids' outdoor toys, tools, gardening supplies, lawn furniture, BBQ accessories and pretty much anything else that you don't want in the house and don't have room for in the garage will inevitably end up tossed in the shed. This role as the dumping ground for so much stuff makes organization and maximization of the available space critical. And while shed manufacturers will happily sell you snap-on panels, shelving units and accessories for their products, if you're handy enough to fire up a power saw and operate a cordless screwdriver, you can do it yourself for a lot less. Even better, by doing it yourself, you can customize your shed to meet your needs exactly. No compromises.
[[Image:ShedBefore.jpg|630px|thumb|left|If your shed looks like this, it might be time to re-structure. Photo by Brad Moon, Wired.com]]
''This how-to was written by Brad Moon, who spends his days playing with gadgets, complaining aboot the music his kids listen to, dispensing tech industry advice to tech-wary investors, writing Wired.com How-Tos, blogging for GeekDad ? and slipping in Canadianisms whenever he can.''
==Planning==
Most of the sheds sold in the U.S. are kits, and the majority are fast-assemble models that provide the basics ? four walls, a door and a roof ? while using the minimum material possible. The walls are likely plastic or steel, materials that are light, weather-resistant and relatively inexpensive. Customizing these mass-produced sheds often means starting with at least partially framing the interior as a starting point. Those walls likely won't be capable of supporting shelves and the weight of tools on their own and the way to win the battle of the shed is to make the most of vertical space. That means utilizing walls. Framing the interior gives a solid base to work with and also serves to make the shed stronger (a good thing in these days of increasingly extreme weather).
'''PRO TIP''': You don't have to be a certified framer to do this. Remember, the shed is already structurally sound ? the purpose of the framing you're doing is to create a vertical surface that's solid enough to bear weight. You can use metal brackets and screws for attaching the studs together to make the job faster (a shortcut you can't use when framing a house). If you want a basic guideline to framing a wall, [http://wayneofthewoods.com/Tiphowtoframeawall.htm here's one]. Just remember to use the appropriate screw type (i.e, for plastic) at any point where the frame is attached to the wall itself.
==Make Sure You Have the Right Tools==
Assuming you're going to be working primarily with wood here (it's the easiest material to work with, it's inexpensive and long-lasting), a typical shed optimization project will require the following:
* Drill
* Impact driver
* Sander
* Circular saw (If there's demolition involved, a reciprocating saw is also very useful.)
* Flashlight
* Vacuum cleaner
You can skip the hammer. You want this to be as strong as possible and you also don't want to be pounding on a flimsy outer wall, so stick with screws instead of nails. And unless you're a masochist, go for power tools. Cutting lumber by hand is bad enough, but there will be a lot of drilling involved and that's just no fun without a power drill. Cut the cord if possible for maximum flexibility. Working in a shed can be confining and running an extension cord is a pain. If you have cordless power tools, this is the perfect project to showcase your prowess with them.
'''PRO TIP''': having a spare battery makes any project involving power tools a lot more pleasant. There's nothing more frustrating than calling a halt while waiting for your only battery to recharge. With two batteries, you can also minimize swapping of battery packs between tools. If possible, opt for lithium-ion batteries for faster charging and higher capacity.
This is the all-important step where you turn your shed from one of millions of identical plastic boxes into a model of storage efficiency. You want to be able to move around without stumbling over stuff, see everything at a glance and easily retrieve any item that you might need.
Remember: Go vertical! An average garden shed may have an 8- by 8-foot floor, with 7-foot-high ceilings. That's 64 square feet of floor space if you open the doors and toss stuff in. Maximize the walls, though, and you can gain another 180 square feet or so (allowing for the door). Include shelving and that available space goes up even more. Your ideal shed layout will vary from mine, but here are some ideas to get you started:
* Incorporate a shelving unit (you can build this or repurpose an existing one that's lying around the house) for stacking items. Make sure to anchor it securely to a wall.
* Installing a sheet of plywood over top of a framed section lets you mount an assortment of hooks, hangers and pegs for efficient hanging of garden tools. You can use pegboard for small items or a reconfigurable space, but for solid mounting nothing beats heavy-gauge hooks driven into wood.
* Add your stuff back in as you go so you can make adjustments. Unless you're a master planner, installing all the hooks, brackets and shelves at once, then moving everything back in is likely to end with some head scratching while you try to figure out why some things just don't fit the way you'd expected.
* You can easily pay $100 or more for a tire hanger to store seasonal wheels for a vehicle, but with $20 worth of two-by-fours and a sheet of plywood, you can make one that's sturdier and easily repurposed. In my sample photos, I have lawn furniture cushions stuffed on the shelf meant to accommodate my winter wheels.
==Construction==
We won't get into the nitty gritty details here. Basic shop class stuff will serve you well. The circular saw will cut any wood you'll use in this project, but remember your safety rules. (Wear goggles and keep your fingers away from the blade.) Here's a link to the ultimate [http://www.powertoolinstitute.com/pti_pages/safety.asp guide to power-tool safety] (from the Power Tool Institute). Oh yeah, and remember to measure twice, cut once. Sounds trite, but cut one two-by-four a quarter of an inch short and you'll realize someone came up with this for a reason.
[[Image:ShedProgress.jpg|630px|thumb|left|Photo by Brad Moon, Wired.com]]
'''PRO TIP''': If you have a demolition phase and want to make short work of it, a carefully wielded reciprocating saw can be your best friend. Ever tried to tear down an old metal shed with hundreds of screws rusted into place? It's not fun and even a sledgehammer will do little other than to dent the thing while leaving your ears ringing worse than an eight-hour Motorhead concert. Go to the hardware store, ask for a "Rescue Blade" for a reciprocating saw (firefighters use these things) and that shed will be reduced to a mound of scrap in minutes.
==Finishing Touches==
Once the construction is more or less complete, it pays to survey your handiwork and see if there are any improvements you could make that you didn't include in the original plan. In my case, this included mounting a series of hooks along the unused roofline to hang small, hand-held gardening tools and adding a solar-powered light (collector panel mounted above the door) to provide nighttime illumination in the shed, which lacks power.
[[Image:ShedFinal.jpg|630px|thumb|left|Photo by Brad Moon, Wired.com]]
<br clear="all" />
==Results==
If you spend a Saturday and $100 to $200 at the lumber store (including wood, screws, metal brackets, hooks, pegs and hangers), you will spend less than any pre-packaged kits cost, and end up with a shed that's stronger, far more efficient and completely customized to your needs.
==18V or 14.4V?==
If you're considering buying a cordless power tool set for this job, you'll notice that most companies offer either 14.4v or 18v models. While 14.4v versions may be slightly cheaper, 18v tools generally speaking are more powerful and will run for longer on a charge.
[[Category:DIY]]
[[Category:Lifestyle]]
Source: http://feeds.wired.com/~r/howtowiki/~3/C1AOn94DNWs/Get_Your_Shed_in_Order_With_a_New_Shelving_System
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