Hammer Zone - a great resource

I was browsing the web for ideas on cheap, easy to install, heavy duty garage storage. I came across this and this at Hammerzone.com. These two projects and a trip to Lowe's got me going in the right direction for my garage project. There's lots to like on this website. The picture-filled instructions are clear and precise, and he warns of pitfalls to avoid. I also like that he places a high value on doing things right, and not just slopping them together. For example, in the second project (attaching a garage shelving unit to a finished wall), he uses joist hangers because regular fasteners may tend to not resist the force pulling them away from the wall. It's a small, but important detail that will make your shelves last and be a pleasure to use.

For the projects I linked to, he places a high value on sturdiness, durability and low cost. Since they are garge storage, there isn't a lot of emphasis on making them designer-gorgeous although they look fine for the space. I don't need my garage to look like this, but it depresses me when things look to much like a junkyard. In the second project, he finishes the wall with painted OSB (oriented strand board - similar to plywood) instead of drywall. OSB is cheaper and easier to install the drywall, and has the added advantage of being sturdy enought to support hanging tools. I was thrilled to find this idea for my garage.

Even though the slogan for the site is "Better Living through Handy-man-ly-ness," there is lots for a "handy-ma'am" to like as well.


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