I am always looking for a better/cheaper way to store my tools. I think I finally figured out the best way to cost effectively store my bulky tools! Click to find out more.

My normal method of storing my bulky tools was on 2×4 and plywood home built shelves which is pretty effective, but lately I have gotten really tired of having to clean grinding and metal dust off of my tools.

My junky workbench home built with 2×4’s, 4×4’s, and a solid wood door top, covered with a bunch of junk, that is then covered with a bunch of metal dust because it isn’t covered…

So I could have went out and spent a bunch of money on tool storage cabinets like these nice ones below, but that’s not my style… To be clear, I’m not looking to replace my toolbox. I am looking for a supplemental place to store bulky or long power tools that I don’t necessarily need every day but need a place to store and protect them that is also easy to access.

Had to make some room for the new cabinets!

After dragging home two large lateral filing cabinets, I decided they would fit better in my garage if they were stacked. As a disclaimer typically 4 high lateral filing cabinets have a safety mechanism that won’t let you open more than one drawer. Since these are two separate cabinets, if I stack them I can actually still open 2 drawers at once. With a little one running around now I don’t want to risk anything, so in DIY style I made my own safety mechanism.

DIY file cabinet safety strap! (I believe they call this stuff plumbers strap/tape)

I first attached the cabinets to each other using self tapping screws on both sides and the rear.

Then after sliding the cabinet into place I attached it to a stud in the wall. This sucker ain’t going nowhere.

Of course the first order of business was to reassemble my free garage radio on a board I screwed down between the cabinet and the wall.

After piling all of my crap back up around the new cabinet.

The following pictures are what what it looks like full. Notice a lot of the stuff is large tools that don’t fit in normal toolboxes. Keep in mind these filing cabinets are pretty beefy because they are made to be full of paper which is pretty heavy.

I always label all of my drawers in the garage. When I have anybody in the shop helping me, it is easier for them to find stuff. I use my Brother PT label maker which has since been replaced by a newer model but is still really cheap!

Top Drawer: Safety Gear, Gloves, Welding Jackets, First aid, Ear Protection, Trash Bags, etc.

Second Drawer: Electrical stuff, Jump packs, chargers, etc.

Third Drawer: POWER TOOLS!!!!!

Fourth Drawer: Heavy Stuff, Torque Wrenches, and you can’t see it but there are about a dozen 1″ or larger combination wrenches inside that flower towel.

I also grabbed a normal 4 drawer file cabinet off Craigslist for the other side of the garage. This one has spray paint, bolts, and some other misc stuff in it (labeled of course…)

My whole point with this rant is that tool storage doesn’t have to be expensive. Unless you are a full-time professional mechanic there is NO REASON to go out and drop a couple of grand on a toolbox.