It doesn’t matter if you play or are just into hockey: if you have one at home, you know how handy and convenient they are. Having your own NHL-quality hockey locker allows for a unique set of advantages. You can keep your equipment organized, keep track of all the required accessories, and ensure that everything is clean and dry.
You may be wondering how easy it is to build your own hockey locker. Thanks to the wonders of technology, you can find the plans online and save them to your smartphone to take with you. This tutorial will guide you through the step-by-step process of building a hockey locker from the ground up, so you can enjoy the benefits of having your own NHL locker even if you’re not blessed with extraordinary skills.
Table of Contents
The Basics
If you’re new to building things, you may wonder where to start. The first thing you’ll need to consider is what size you want your hockey locker to be. The standard size for a hockey locker is 66.5″ x 40″ x 30″, but if you have a large space, you can build an 80″ x 60″ x 35″ version. You’ll also need to decide whether or not you want a traditional locker with metal rails (and if so, how many you want) or a modern take with no rails at all. You can also find a variety of other styles online that can be suitable for your needs.
Choose Proper Tools
Building materials won’t be the only thing you need, as you’ll also need the proper tools to get the job done. You’ll need a table saw, a drill, a hammer, nails, screws, a saw horse, and sandpaper. It goes without saying that you should have all proper tools for the job – you don’t want to take the risk of damaging your equipment while building. Especially since you’ll have all of that stored inside your locker. And if you’re lucky, you might even get to keep some of it once you’re done!
The Most Essential Step
Once you have all of your basic building materials, you’ll need to have a frank talk with yourself about how to go about assembling the locker. You’ll need to consider a few things, such as what are your skills and what exactly do you want out of this endeavor? Do you already have a basic understanding of carpentry and how to use a table saw? Is there someone specific you want to ask for help? These are all questions you need to ask yourself before starting to build. Based on your answers, you can determine which method you want to use to build the machine: by yourself or in collaboration with others.
The Advantage Of Building It Yourself
Although it’s always an option to hire a professional to build something for you, there are several advantages to building a hockey locker yourself. First, you’ll save money. Second, you can ensure that the person building it will understand your unique needs. Finally, you’ll have full control over what goes into it. There’s no worrying about whether or not the person delivering the equipment will be able to fit it in your space – you’ll be able to ask them to bring another size if you run out of room. The main disadvantage is that it can take a lot of time to build something from the ground up. If you want an efficient way to get your equipment organized, you should look into buying a pre-built hockey locker.
Build It On A Raised Surface
If you have a garage or a room above the ground level, you can build your locker on a raised surface to take advantage of the space. This way, when you’re done, you can simply pull down the peg, and the locker will be stored in its upright position. If you live in an area where temperatures can reach extremes, you can also store your equipment in the wintertime and take advantage of the temperature difference to your advantage – putting your locker above ground level will help keep it at a cool temperature. The only disadvantage to this method is that it requires a lot of space, which you may not have.
Make It As Spacious As Possible
The last thing anyone wants is a cramped, claustrophobic hockey locker. If you can, you should have enough room to lay out a pair of ice skates, a pair of hockey sticks, and a couple of helmets. If not, you’ll have to make do with what you have. There’s also the option of adding an extra shelf for extra equipment. By making your hockey locker larger, you can also make more room for everything else you need inside it. The main disadvantage to this option is that it takes more time to build and you’ll have to figure out how to store it when you’re not using it. If you want to keep your equipment organized and in good condition, you should opt for the smaller size and build a small workspace in your garage.
Choose A Location For The Machine
Once you’ve decided which method you want to use to build your hockey locker, you’ll need to determine where you want it to go. You can’t use the garage as it is since you’ll need room for cars as well. Ideally, you’ll want to find a space that’s near a window, so you can get sunlight and fresh air anytime you want. If you have a smaller space, you can always build the machine in the corner near a wall and add a desk or a stool for optimal work surface. Remember: the closer you can get to the wall, the less room you’ll have for cars or other items in the area. If you decide to build it yourself, it’s also a good idea to work near a water source so you can clean the tools and materials easily – if you run out of water, you can always pull a pipe from the wall and get some water from the tap. If you opt to hire someone to build it for you, choose a location that’s easily accessible for the person building it so they can provide first-hand assistance should you need it. Also, consider how you’ll move the machine once it’s done – if there’s no garage or room above the ground level, you’ll have to find a way to get it in and out of the space you have.
Install Shelves And Rails
If you have a pair of doors at the far end of the room, you can install a set of shelves above them to create more storage space – if not, you can use the existing walls to create more space. From there, you can build a set of rails that will run along the top of the wall to create a walkway for easier access to the equipment inside. This is a good option if you want to keep some of your equipment stored outside the locker itself (like helmets and skates) and have them accessible via a shelf or a rail.
Add A Desk
A desk can be a useful addition to your sports equipment storage space – it will give you something to put your laptop on, so you can check your emails or work on projects online while keeping track of time. If you have the space, you can add a desk along with the stool or two chairs from the existing room, or just use the stool alone if you don’t have the space. If you decide to build a desk, make sure to have a proper lighting system so you can see what you’re doing easily – nothing looks more unattractive than a poorly lit desk!
Build Double-Shelf Locker
If you have an attic or a storage closet at your disposal, you can build a double-shelf locker to keep your equipment organized. This option provides you with plenty of storage space, but it takes a bit more work – you’ll need to remove one of the existing shelves and add a second one on top of it. You can purchase a pre-built double-shelf locker online for a much cheaper price, but you’ll still need to determine where you want to put it and make the necessary arrangements to move it when done.
Consider Other Storage Solutions
There are many other options for storing equipment and materials besides the ones mentioned above. If you have limited space and need a quick and easy way to store items, you can build a set of shelves above the existing wall and add a locker on top of them. Alternatively, you can build a storage shed where you can fit all of your equipment and have some peace and quiet while storing your cars or other items. Do you need a room for just cars or other vehicles as well? You can use the existing garage for that purpose and put in a parking space for easier access in the evening. If you decide to build a shed, make sure to add sliding doors near the garage entrance so you can access the space easily during the day – it’s best to have access to the space whenever possible so you can ensure all of your equipment is always kept safe and organized.