Air Tool Storage

[moparfreak]

How do you guys store your air tools?

I've got somewhere between 5-10 air tools, add one or two each year. It's clumsy to keep them in their plastic cases (if they come w/), and they take up a lot of drawer space if i keep them in my rollaway.

Are there any good ideas out there for storing air tools?

I've seen stamped steel racks that can be bolted up to the wall and they hold the tool upside down by it's fitting. I'm not sure where to find these though.

Any homemade ideas?

Thanks,
Adam

 

[strizzy]

How about a piece of wood (such as a 2x on edge) with some holes (say 3/8) drilled into it to stick the air fittings into.

 

[iiibdsiil]

I've seen guys mount female fittings to a board and then pop the air tools into them that way, upside down. Sounds like a pain in the **** to me though, having to use 2 hands and all.

I don't know that I would want my air tools being supported by the air fittings, but what the heck do I know?

I have a bottom corner drawer in my box I keep mine in. I just set em in there when I'm done. No rhyme or reason.

 

[Bradley Miller]

I think thats how the big box stores (Home Depot/Lowes) display the air tools, I don't know if it would be that bad for them or not. I've just got a cabinet that I'm migrating them into, but my tools are cheapies and I don't have too many. I wonder how well a metal peg board with hooks would be for storing them?

 

[milly]

I just put them in the bottom drawer of my roll around. No matter how you store them, make sure that you lubricate them on a regular basis.

 

[iiibdsiil]

I think thats how the big box stores (Home Depot/Lowes) display the air tools, I don't know if it would be that bad for them or not. I've just got a cabinet that I'm migrating them into, but my tools are cheapies and I don't have too many. I wonder how well a metal peg board with hooks would be for storing them?

Hanging them upside down doesn't bother me as much as putting the heavy end on top. Just the way it seems like it would stress the area. But, like I said, I have no evidence to back this up, just what seems "right" to me. Kinda like a woman, all opinion, and no logic.

 

[strizzy]

We (the shop) have them all mounted how I describe in my earlier post (vertically in some holes), no problems with stress even on the big impacts. It is fairly convent way to store them I think, easy to just grab and go.

 

[sberry]

We leave them all over and toss them under benches, not the greatest but they are hi use here. I probably have about 10 more but the ones highlighted are real bargains for the home shop, they work very well, last long and are cheap.

 

[rowbow41]

I think thats how the big box stores (Home Depot/Lowes) display the air tools, I don't know if it would be that bad for them or not. I've just got a cabinet that I'm migrating them into, but my tools are cheapies and I don't have too many. I wonder how well a metal peg board with hooks would be for storing them?

Over on the Hot Rodders forum do a search on air tool storage. The best idea I have seen is to cut slots in a piece of metal that can be mounted to a wall. The slots are cut big enough to fit the small diameter of male air fitting. By doing that the air tool can be stored hanging down. Then to keep dirt or mud dobbers from getting into fittings add a hinged door to close down & cover the fittings,

 

[3/4tonYJ]

I just put them in the bottom drawer of my roll around. No matter how you store them, make sure that you lubricate them on a regular basis.

X2,
i just have a drawer designated for air tools and i keep them oiled. I squirt some oil into the air-fitting and run the tool for a couple seconds to lubricate good.

 

[Rothaus]

These are not air tools but it is just an idea. The boxes are modules and I can just lift them out and exchange or move them.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=47208#post47208

Cheers

 

[Kidd]

After I stuff a golf "T" in the end of it (mudobbers) it goes in the bottom box

 

[79rallysport]

I've never used one of these, but it sounds like something you're looking for.
You can get these from Genuine Hotrod Hardware, Inc. http://www.genuinehotrod.com/PartDetail.asp?PartId=5662

 

[Darren M.]

I'm quite happy with the peg board and some though as to what "pegs" to use.

Note: This is a rather old image, however, I'm still using the pegs are still in use for air tools. Thank goodness I found GarageJunkies when I did. Otherwise my garage would STILL be a mess.

 

[smooth72]

I use the cheap 5 pack couplers from Harbor Freight (I don't use them on air hoses) This enables me to see when I am missing an air tool. When I get a new air tool I install another coupler.

 

[moparfreak]

Smooth72,

That is a hell of an idea. I thought the racks they had at hot rod hardware were pretty nifty, but this takes it all. How did you fasten them to the cabinets on the inside w/o interfering too much w/ the first shelf?

Since I don't have a garage to install these, I won't be able to do this for awhile, but that's definitely what I'm going to do. Fantastic.

Thanks,
Adam

 

[Tim240Z]

I just put up a piece of peg board near the air lines and hung the tools:

 

[Rothaus]

I use the cheap 5 pack couplers from Harbor Freight (I don't use them on air hoses) This enables me to see when I am missing an air tool. When I get a new air tool I install another coupler.

This is the best idea I have seen. I give you a 10 out of 10. Not only organized, it also keeps any dust and dirt out of the air tools.

 

[Flathead Red]

Try this:

http://www.millerwelds.com/interests/projects/air-tool-rack/

 

[speed bump]

I throw them into the bottom frawer on my roll around

 

[Fins/413]

I've never used one of these, but it sounds like something you're looking for.
You can get these from Genuine Hotrod Hardware, Inc. http://www.genuinehotrod.com/PartDetail.asp?PartId=5662

I've got this exact item and like it, mine only concern is dust going in the open male connectors. I may put some kind of cover on the connectors when I start making a lot of dust.

 

[wreckercologist]

here's my set up:

 

[caper]

At our shop we have a piece of aluminum angle iron mounted to the wall with holes drilled in it to drop the air chucks into.Stands the tools upright so the open chuck is facing down and nothing gets in the tool.Nice fast way to acces them one handed,just drop them in and take them out.Been this way since before I worked there,no issues so far.

 

[FiftyCalAl]

here's my set up:

wreckerologist,

where did you buy those tool hangers? neat

 

[billymade]

Looks like these are sold by Matco; I wonder who the OEM is?

LOCKING AIR TOOL HOLDER

Organize your air tools with this lockable tool holder
Tool can hold up to five pneumatic tools in a 10" space
Comes with five slots that fit all popular quick connect fittings from Milton, Lincoln, Amflo and others
Can be mounted on a tool box, cart or wall for easy access
Locking feature protects your air tools from theft (provide your own lock)
Durable powder-coated finish

Part#: ATH5 Price: $27.45

http://www.matcotools.com/Catalog/toolcatalog.jsp?cattype=T&cat=2096&page=12

UPDATE:
Looks like Lisle is the OEM and if you buy it from them; cheaper!

Lisle 49960 Locking Air Tool Holder

Features and Benefits
Fits all popular quick connect fittings
Holds five pneumatic tools in a 10" space
Locking feature protects air tools from theft
Durable powder-coated finish
Can be mounted on a tool box, cart or wall for easy access
Organize your air tools with this lockable tool holder. Tool can hold up to five pneumatic tools in a 10" space. Comes with five slots to fit all popular quick connect fittings from Milton, Lincoln, Amflo, and others.

http://www.google.com/products?clie...a=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4

 

[scottguehne]

Hey, I think I have a viable option for you moparfreak. I have used 1/4" stainless rods pointing upwards that the tools set down onto. The rod slides up into the fittings. I would be willing to make you such a rack, with either 1/4 or 3/8" rod, whichever fittings you use on your tools. You don't need two hands, like you would with the quick coupler method, and it is fast and easy. It is also less likely that you'll drop and break one of your pneumatic tools. Let me know if you like the idea, and I'll draw something up for you.

 

[wreckercologist]

FiftyCalAl, as billymade stated in his response, I bought 'em from Matco, but they are a rebranded Lisle. That was way back in the good old days when I got along with my Matco dealer and he wasn't a complete tool. He price-matched the Matcos to the lisle's so I think I paid around $18 a piece.

They are OK, though after nearly three years of having tools hung in them and having the drawer opened and closed several times a day, the openings have begun to wear slightly. This may depend on what quick connects you use(they will wear a little too).

I like being able to oil all of my air tools and not end up with a drawer liner covered in oil like when they are just layed down flat in a drawer.

 

[BobWarfield]

Needs some red paint, but it was real easy to make my air tool rack:

 

[mrshaun]

epiq side box... power tool storage with cordless tool storage and battery charging in one... Just an idea.
the tools on my truck hang upside down from the ceiling like the picture above.
Snap On also sells an air tool rack for the trucks. but you could use it at home in the garage.... holds about 15 air tools on the wall for display

 

[car99r]

I use the cheap 5 pack couplers from Harbor Freight (I don't use them on air hoses) This enables me to see when I am missing an air tool. When I get a new air tool I install another coupler.

Care to share how you mounted the fittings to the bottome side? I attempted to do something like this one day but could not find a bolt to fit. Got a pic from the other side or what hardware to pick up?

 

[jsaw]

Here are mine, one off the Matco truck, & 1 homemade

 

[smooth72]

Care to share how you mounted the fittings to the bottome side? I attempted to do something like this one day but could not find a bolt to fit. Got a pic from the other side or what hardware to pick up?

What I did was to cross thread a fine thread bolt in it. Cross threading it locks it in too. The air fitting are pipe threaded. Never thought I would cross thread on purpose.

 

[alex71]

Here are mine, one off the Matco truck, & 1 homemade

In my garage that setup would quickly fill the air motors with abrasive dust and ruin the vanes.

 

[BrokeEF]

I've never used one of these, but it sounds like something you're looking for.
You can get these from Genuine Hotrod Hardware, Inc. http://www.genuinehotrod.com/PartDetail.asp?PartId=5662

Thats what we have, very nice way to store the tools. I throw a drop of oil in when I put them away so when I grab them they are good to go.

Sean

 

[BobWarfield]

In my garage that setup would quickly fill the air motors with abrasive dust and ruin the vanes.

Use a piece of channel instead of angle. Set it up so the open part faces the wall. Now when you slide the tool in the inlet is sheltered.

Cheers,

BW

 

[car99r]

Use a piece of channel instead of angle. Set it up so the open part faces the wall. Now when you slide the tool in the inlet is sheltered.

Cheers,

BW

PERFECT! I like that idea...

 

[72chevy]

Unistrut fits the bill nicely.

 

[caper]

Here's some pics of an angle iron mount:

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

it shouldn't be a problem, but putting too much stress on the fitting area.

 

[holden26]

I just put them in a draw with a couple of those little silicon sachets u get with shoes