Check out this article on how I built a custom made DIY Heavy Duty Garden Hose Holder with Storage box. Read more to find out Ideas and tips on how to build one for yourself.
The other day I was at my father in law’s house and was trying to reel back up one of his hoses.I got pissed at it because he had like 300 feet of hose (~2 acre property) on a tiny Home Depot hose holder. So after I reeled hose on top of hose for 10 minutes, I realized I had a great idea for a fathers day present.
It all starts with an idea, but the next step is usually a drawing (unless I just have a really clear picture of it in my head).
When I come up with a new project. Unless it HAS to be EXACTLY like the drawing, I usually try to design it around recycling or using metals and supplies that I already have in my shop. The picture above is probably my 5th rendition of the idea after I remembered I had a piece of steel handrail that I could upcycle into something new.
Next step is to start laying out the pieces similar to our drawing. During this process I went out and checked the height of my hose reel a couple of times to figure out how big I wanted this hanger. This one is probably larger than most people would want, but keep in mind I need it to hold ~300ft of garden hose.
As in the picture above, soapstone is a great way to lay out and mark projects. I can draw all over my garage floor and not even think about cleaning it up, because it goes away when I sweep the floor. Like sidewalk chalk, but it doesn’t stick around as long. For more info on soapstone, check out my article here: What is Soapstone?
Next, I needed to make the rounded part at the top. The best way I could think of to do this is with a vice and some sweat.
My next task was to get everything squared up and start tack welding it together. This job was made pretty easy with a couple of squares.
Next up was to make short cross bars that will eventually hold the hose.
Here is a time saving TIP: When making cuts that need to be close and fast but not super accurate (we are talking 1/8″ or so), measure and cut your first piece then feed your material into the saw and quickly measure the next piece by putting the piece you just cut on top of it. Then remove it before cutting.
Like this:
Next I drilled some holes in the toolbox to attach it to the mount with 1/4″ bolts. Added a coat of primer and paint. Then reassembled, and we have our final product!
Hope this post helps you with your project. Feel free to comment below if you have ideas or questions for me. I definitely don’t know everything, but try to help out where I can.
Now YOU, yea YOU! Go out in your garage and build something!
(Be safe, have fun, and learn something while you are at it)
Don’t have a welder, or just starting out? Check out some of our other articles like: Get started welding for under $250 guide and My 10 favorite home fabrication tools.
UPDATE 2015-08-13
Went and snagged some ‘after’ pictures of the hose reel installed and in use. The paving stones aren’t needed to hold it down, but they do a good job of keeping the area from getting muddy. Works pretty good.
In case you were counting there are three different hoses on the same reel. This thing handles them like a champ and makes it a lot easier to roll up.