Cheapest options for a chest style lockable storage container for outdoors?

GervisLooper

I made a similar post a little while ago but that was for larger suggestions, like a garden shed.

In this case I would like something like a chest where it might come to maybe hip height, reminiscent of those big old clothes chests if people know what I mean, which can also lock.

Not an issue about being super secure, it is more that it can be locked so I know the contents haven't been tampered with in between visits. Would not be a great loss if they were stolen but want to feel they have not been meddled with when coming back to use.

I was looking up army surplus containers and in this case it seems they would run probably as much or more than buying an equivalent new outdoor garden box. The latter doesn't seem quite as secure though so far from what I have seen.

Suggestions please.

born_again

Depends on how secure you want it.

Most garden storage boxes are now plastic type, so even if locked. They are not secure.

Slinky

How about this? It should be fairly obvious if it had been tampered with

https://www.habitat.co.uk/product/1516593?&cmpid=cpc&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20743488231&utm_content=shopping&utm_term=&utm_custom1=&utm_custom2=785-748-9804&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAudG5BhAREiwAWMlSjC_CdphRfKhKd8O67uKoJkjHT_WrcZ4IDvOKQRVH3CvXh3yu_6guYxoC8OgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

We had something similar we left in our garage with cleaning materials in when we rented our house out.

EssexExile

Keter are everywhere. Ours is lockable but obviously, being plastic, not super secure.

silvercar

We have a Keter storage chest, kept outdoors. It’s lasted 16 years so far.

Ectophile

See if anyone's got an old chest freezer they want to get rid of.  Make sure it comes with the keys for the lock.

GervisLooper

Ectophile said:

See if anyone's got an old chest freezer they want to get rid of.  Make sure it comes with the keys for the lock.

Don't they give off harmful gases?

daveyjp

We also have a low Keter storage box.  Does the job, but the lock hasp snapped after a few uses, its only thin plastic so offers little security for anyone determined to access it.

Ectophile

GervisLooper said:

Ectophile said:

See if anyone's got an old chest freezer they want to get rid of.  Make sure it comes with the keys for the lock.

Don't they give off harmful gases?

Only if you damage the compressor system.  But the OP asked for the cheapest solution, not the most environmentally friendly one!

casper_gutman

Just for comparison, I made a storage box in the summer using 18mm thick pressure treated rough saw timber. It's about 1.2 metres long by 0.5 metres deep and the same high. I suppose it's not entirely secure as anyone could take the screws out of the boards if they really wanted to get in, but it's very solid and I'm hoping it'll be good for 25 years plus.

I spent about £60 on timber for the box. I also bought a cheap set of galvanised strap hinges for the lid and a hasp and staple (I already had a spare Abus Diskus padlock). In addition to the materials I bought, I also used a 50x50mm piece I had lying around, a bit of batten, an offcut of EPDM roofing and something around 100 to 150 decking screws I had left over from another job in the garden.

GervisLooper

casper_gutman said:

Just for comparison, I made a storage box in the summer using 18mm thick pressure treated rough saw timber. It's about 1.2 metres long by 0.5 metres deep and the same high. I suppose it's not entirely secure as anyone could take the screws out of the boards if they really wanted to get in, but it's very solid and I'm hoping it'll be good for 25 years plus.

I spent about £60 on timber for the box. I also bought a cheap set of galvanised strap hinges for the lid and a hasp and staple (I already had a spare Abus Diskus padlock). In addition to the materials I bought, I also used a 50x50mm piece I had lying around, a bit of batten, an offcut of EPDM roofing and something around 100 to 150 decking screws I had left over from another job in the garden.

I changed my criteria now. I decided to just keep important items in my sleeping area which is my van.

So external storage would not have to be secure from humans however I came back today to the plot and saw that rodents had gotten in the dried food! I thought there was no way they would know food was in them as the packets were airtight but I see they must have a gnawing instinct no matter if they smell food or not as I noticed they had also nibbled of a couple of empty meths bottle caps one was almost totally through!

So I would be looking to make a chest to keep out rodents now instead.

I plan to make a 'bender' with a tarp which would provide shelter for a workshop however a chest like you note above sounds a good way for the stuff I don't want to be taken by the little critters.

Would they also gnaw through wood though? That plastic was hdpe so I expect wood would be even easier for them to get through. Maybe I will get a metal ammobox or something if wood could be an issue for rodents still.

A new challenge to think of.