Bench Tool Storage Shelf

[Alex Franke]

I saw this in Wood magazine a few months ago and it seemed like the perfect solution for my cramped shop. It's made from maybe a half dozen 2x4's, some pegboard, some scrap plywood and a little scrap MDF on the top. Oh, and four 4" double locking casters from Grizzly -- probably the most expensive part, but well worth it.

I modified it to fit these tools, and added a little rack to hang a couple of roller stands. It was really easy to build. Let me know what you think, and please feel free to reply with similar projects.

[poolhound]

I remember seeing that project. Good Job!

I am sure it will be really helpful in keeping things in their place. Did you also make the related rolling base?

[Alex Franke]

I remember seeing that project. Good Job!

I am sure it will be really helpful in keeping things in their place. Did you also make the related rolling base?

Thanks! No, I haven't made the base yet. I want to see if I can get by without it first. I figure I can always make it later if I need to.

Also as I recall the version in the magazine were mounted to boards that fit over the top of the base (and around the edges). I didn't do it like that because, for example, the lathe only takes up about half the depth, so I can use the other half to store something else.

So we'll see how it goes... it's easily changed if necessary

[bigstick509]

Great use of space, I especially like the idea for the hangers for the roller stands. I've got a half dozen stands that seem to be aways in the way when not in use.

[drumpriest]

I like it a lot. All of that peg board is promising. I have a couple of "bench" tools that I like, such as that ridgid sander, but boy it's a pain to move. I cannot imagine trying to move my "bench" lathe all of the time. How do you do it?

[Pappy]

Great solution to limited space.

[Uncle Cracker]

I have a friend who built one very similar to yours. He put two cutouts in his permanent work bench to accept the tool mounting plates. He has blank plates to fill the openings when all the tools are stored. Nice deal if you have a space crunch, although he does admit he'd rather just have enough bench space to keep everything tooled up and ready to use. (He swears there's a conspiracy at work to make whatever tool he needs be one that's not already on the bench... )

[docrowan]

Looks great! I, too, like the hangers for the roller stands.

[lrogers]

Nice project for a shop of any size, but especially a small one.

[Knottscott]

I need to do that! Thanks for the reminder and the inspiration.....anything you can do to help free up some time? Very nice job!

[poolhound]

I have a friend who built one very similar to yours. He put two cutouts in his permanent work bench to accept the tool mounting plates. He has blank plates to fill the openings when all the tools are stored. Nice deal if you have a space crunch, although he does admit he'd rather just have enough bench space to keep everything tooled up and ready to use. (He swears there's a conspiracy at work to make whatever tool he needs be one that's not already on the bench... )

LOL, I think all of us who are not lucky enough to have a dedicated shop space feel the same way. I know that when I watch Nahm or David Marks I am very jealous, not just of his tool selection, but that they are all setup and ready to go with built in dust collection and all!! He even has 2 jointers a basic 6" and that monster he has which I think is 12" or bigger. I dont even have room for a 6" one and have to make do with my benchtop.

[LinuxRandal]

I like your clamps on it. I was thinking of building a smaller version (vertically impaired shop), with a clamp rack or the tool stand on the back side.

[Bill in Buena Park]

Great concept and nice work. Think I need one of those as well.

[Alex Franke]

Thanks for all the great comments!

I like it a lot. All of that peg board is promising. I have a couple of "bench" tools that I like, such as that ridgid sander, but boy it's a pain to move. I cannot imagine trying to move my "bench" lathe all of the time. How do you do it?

I put the heaviest tools in the middle so I don't have to bend far or climb to reach them. They are heavy, though, so I imagine it will be a bit of a hassle, but we'll see how it plays out. It's probalby not too often that I'll have more than one or two of these out at a time.

The sander is actually the lightest of the bunch, but the problem with it is all those parts stored on the front -- I need to keep it more upright when moving it...

I would definately prefer the actual bench space. But I think there will also be a benefit to having a rolling pegboard!

[billwmeyer]

That looks great! I have been thinking of doing something like that for several years. I was worried about the mobility part. Is it stable, not top heavy and are there any racking problems? My thoughts were to make it stationery, and make a mobile cart that would slide in the bottom part sideways. What are your thoughts on this?

Great job.

Bill