Showing posts with label storage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label storage. Show all posts

French cleat tool storage system

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I have used pegboard for years as an easy way to hang my hand tools. I can see why it is popular with a lot of guys: its fairly inexpensive and there are a wide variety of hangers you can buy that will allow you to hang just about anything.
The problem I have always faced is that the little metal holders continually fall off when I try to remove a tool.  I understand there are more modern hangers than the ones I used that will stay in place, but I never got around to purchasing any. I bought an assorted box of hangers when I set up my pegboard and never added to it.
Nor did I ever move the pegs around. I set them in place and instead of getting the right hanger for the tool, Ive always just plopped tools on whatever hanger they will fit. Usually awkwardly.
Ultimately, I like building stuff for the shop whenever possible, rather than buying stuff. Especially since everything else on my tool hutch is hand-made.
This french cleat system lets you get creative with storage and is infinitely adjustable to your tools and set-up. Plus french cleats are sturdy. I use one to hold my TV on the wall.
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Clamp storage systems

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It seems everyone has a different method for storing his clamps. For too long, I have kept my clamps in a mishmash of ways in various parts of my shop. I have never liked it and decided to organize them this week.
My biggest problem was finding space for them until I had the revelation that there is unused space behind my door. Its not very deep — a little over six inches — but perfect for clamps.
If you would like to try (or modify) any of the clamp racks I came up with, here are plans:
SketchUp file
PDF version
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Bonus video!
You might be a woodworker if...
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Unique under bed storage solution

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WWMM Under bed storage systemWhen researching storage and organization projects, I was reminded how much space is available under a bed. We have several under-bed storage boxes that contain things we rarely use. Maybe once or twice a year.
I thought would be nice to utilize under bed space for long-term storage, but also be able to store and access more frequently used items without having to drag out the entire box.
My storage unit has a large back section with a removable lid for storing less-used, maybe seasonal items. The front of this cabinet has a drawer allowing easy access to things you need to get to more often.
Most under bed storage boxes have wheels on them, but I dont believe they are necessary. I attached furniture glides to the underside of this unit, allowing it to slide easily on wood floors or carpet.
Plans:Before using the dimensions in these plans, be sure to carefully measure the space beneath the bed you are going to use. I designed mine to fit under my king-sized bed, but the frames of these vary greatly. Also make sure to account for areas of the bedframe that extend lower than the mattress. 
  • WWMM Under bed storage cabinet (pdf)
  • Sketchup file
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Contemporary book stand storage unit

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Knock-down knock-offA lot of woodworkers scoff at the furniture sold at big box retailers such as Ikea. Its a snooty, elitist attitude. The knock-down furniture sold at these stores enables people who arent wealthy to furnish their homes and apartments with some pretty stylish pieces. Contrary to what some woodworkers seem think, not every twenty-something can afford to hire a woodworker to design and build custom Greene and Greene furniture. Nor would they necessarily want to.
This week I am embracing much-maligned knock-down furniture and inviting it into the realm of woodworking. Our craft should be expanded and its barriers to entry reduced. This style of furniture is easy and fun to replicate and can be built with limited tools and space. Looking down our noses at the practicality of affordable, factory furniture does nothing to expand the dwindling numbers of woodworkers. I believe woodworking is for everyone.
Some woodworkers seem to define "real woodworking" by the cost of the materials used and the color of their tools. I built this storage rack using melamine for the shelves and painted store-bought dowels for the legs. If you would like to turn this into a "fine" woodworking project just use bubinga or cocobolo wood and boast about how much you paid per board-foot.
Building options
You can easily make this stand with a hand saw, jigsaw or a circular saw. Instead of making the holes for shelf pins, use some of those metal hose clamps. Slide them in place along the dowels wherever you want to position the shelves.
Plywood would be a great choice for the shelves. To make this even less expensive, you could experiment using free pallet wood. Id love to see what you come up with!
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Versatile storage cubes

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Weve been giving my sons bedroom a makeover all week long. One of the things needed was more storage. I decided just to make some simple cubes out of MDF and let Wyatt stack and arrange them however he liked. Sort of like those old crates for storing LP records.
But the thought of making a bunch of identical cubes seemed really boring, so I made four variations of the five-sided cube.
I thought about various ways of joining all the edges together. My first thought was to use 45 degree bevels. That way each side could be the same size. The drawback is that gluing them up straight is more of a challenge. For making eight boxes, I decided simple butt joints would be the easiest and quickest. Since these are made out of MDF and painted, I really didnt need anything fancy.
The fun thing about these is setting them up in all different ways. I suspect they might be a hit in college students dorm rooms, too.
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