Building a Cordless Tool Station... Thoughts?

[EOC_Jason]

So I'm finally getting around to building a cordless tool station because my neighbor gave me a bunch of 3/4" plywood for free...

I started sketching out a design to fit my current tools and work within the space I want to install it...

Then this evening it kind of dawned on me, why all the fuss over making the tools hang? Seems a lot easier just to make another shelf and line them up that way? lol...

Am I missing something here as to why everyone is making the tools hang vs just sit on a shelf?

 

[Bessy]

I built one out of plywood and 4" PVC pipe, a few years back, and I love it. A) it was free to put together, (short of an hour of my time), and B) because I can simply walk up to the tool I want, pull it out and be on my way.

Hung tools can stay put regardless of the presence of a battery and that's a huge plus if you have an assortment of tools and only a few batteries. If I'm out doing a tire swap with my 1/2" impact I can easily use up two of the 1.5AH batteries (I don't own any big volume 4, 5 or 6AH batteries) so when i start, I toss on a battery to charge while i drain the first, then swap them out. Hanging the tools allows me to do this without having to take a tool down just because the battery is not there for it to sit on. I'd imagine with the larger impacts and such that are available these days, that some tools may not stand up on their own.

 

[astrohip]

So I'm finally getting around to building a cordless tool station because my neighbor gave me a bunch of 3/4" plywood for free...

I started sketching out a design to fit my current tools and work within the space I want to install it...

Then this evening it kind of dawned on me, why all the fuss over making the tools hang? Seems a lot easier just to make another shelf and line them up that way? lol...

Am I missing something here as to why everyone is making the tools hang vs just sit on a shelf?

I spent a lot of time musing over this very issue (I clearly have too much time on my hands ). And I use my cordless tools all the time, probably more than any other single group of tools.

I decided to just build a shelf below my workbench, and keep them all there. It was easy to do, and made access simple. Plus, as I add or change cordless tools, I don't have to re-jigger everything, which one would have to do if you built a custom station. You can see in the attached pics, I put my older corded tools (saw, drill, a few others) on the right side shelf. So all my power tools are together, for the most part.

I keep the batteries plugged into the charger, which sits on top of my tool chest. However, based on knowledge I picked up here at GJ, I don't keep the charger plugged in. I only plug it in when needed.

 

[ratdoggy]

I just throw them in a drawer of the toolbox.
But then again I'm a simple man with a simple mind

 

[EOC_Jason]

Right now my tools are on a free-standing shelf with just a bunch of other stuff. Problem is having to shift things around to get to the things behind the tools, that is what has been driving me to re-locate them all...

Also my chargers are on a shelf on my workbench, and my extra batteries are in a container on the corner of the workbench and I would like to get those out of the way too and consolidated with the tools.

As to the other person's comment about batteries, mine will stand up with or without the batteries so that's not a concern...

I've seen some where people build space not just for tools + batteries + chargers, but also room for all their boxes of bits and screws. Adding room for those would be great so I can again consolidate the location of things instead of having the spread around in several areas...

I think I'm going to go with the shelf idea instead of hanging, make the whole layout a little more generic so I can move everything around if need be, I'm always trying to re-optimize my space so I hate having to commit something to a fixed position.

Will post updates when I get something built!

 

[Lelandwelds]

I've seen some where people build space not just for tools + batteries + chargers, but also room for all their boxes of bits and screws. Adding room for those would be great so I can again consolidate the location of things instead of having the spread around in several areas...

!

I agree completely and would add " strap down chargers so battery can be removed with one hand" and "add a prominent light switch to turn all chargers on and off without unplugging". Maybe add " compact space".

For example, I would use this 12 ft shelf for something else and build something like the white storage trays in the same footprint and mount it higher.

 

[bcradio]

Do they fit in your penny vanities?

 

[Ji m]

My problem with doing this is Li-ion batteries don't like my unheated garage during New England winters.

Going from full charged to dead due to temp drop probably isn't good for them,

especially since they're Makita's and every trip to the charger is a spin of the "roulette wheel of bricked batteries".

I try to not even leave them in the car in the winter,
either in my work bag, or in the house (unless I'm using them).

 

[ARFLY]

The problem with building a shelf for them to sit on is it becomes just another shelf. How long before the new shelf for the cordless tools becomes just like the old shelf they currently reside on. With the hanging type holder it is a dedicated space that other stuff can't really take over.

 

[MinnesotaHack]

When I built mine I though I was genius by ensuring I could pick and place a battery single handed. Fasten the chargers down. No need to hold the base with one hand while removing a charged battery with the other. Works well but......I didn't think of Minnesota winters....the lithion ion batteries did not like staying in an unheated garage even on the charger....and can't walk the charger inside. Doh!

 

[PhysicsDude]

When I built mine I though I was genius by ensuring I could pick and place a battery single handed. Fasten the chargers down. No need to hold the base with one hand while removing a charged battery with the other. Works well but......I didn't think of Minnesota winters....the lithion ion batteries did not like staying in an unheated garage even on the charger....and can't walk the charger inside. Doh!

Same... I mounted 2 chargers permanently to the wall. 1 handed battery removal is the greatest thing since sliced bread..

 

[EOC_Jason]

Garage temp is not an issue, but thanks for bringing that up as I can understand the issues...

Good tips on securing down the chargers.

Didn't get to work on it today, got sidetracked traveling around town all afternoon... Maybe tomorrow...

 

[minytrker]

I just bought one of these and really like it. Going to buy a second one to hold the rest of the cordless tools.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-24-in-x-30-in-Steel-Tool-Chest-Black/1000222005

 

[dreamingmuscle]

I just bought one of these and really like it. Going to buy a second one to hold the rest of the cordless tools.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-24-in-x-30-in-Steel-Tool-Chest-Black/1000222005

Thats one of the most reasonable things at lowes. It would be hard to build it for less with the surge protector and bed lining type finish.

I just used some of these multi hooks

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Blue-Hawk-2-Pack-7-in-Gray-Steel-Multi-Tool-Hangers/50218513

 

[dreamingmuscle]

Am I missing something here as to why everyone is making the tools hang vs just sit on a shelf?

FSS. Flat Space Syndrome. Anything thing flat will soon be covered with ****. Making finding said tools harder and making it virtually impossible to move such tool without knocking over or off something on said flat space.

Hence the hanging storage.

 

[FTWingRiders]

I’m watching this as I also am trying to figure out the best solution for me. Liking the one from Lowe’s.

 

[GMCGarage]

I just throw them in a drawer of the toolbox.
But then again I'm a simple man with a simple mind

sort of the same way. keep it simple. I did just screw all my chargers to a piece of wood so I can get it up on the wall off the bench.

 

[racestatus]

My problem with doing this is Li-ion batteries don't like my unheated garage during New England winters.

Going from full charged to dead due to temp drop probably isn't good for them,

especially since they're Makita's and every trip to the charger is a spin of the "roulette wheel of bricked batteries".

I try to not even leave them in the car in the winter,
either in my work bag, or in the house (unless I'm using them).

lmfao. yeah I had to just throw a Makita battery and charger out of the garage door this summer due to it exploding.

 

[Fueler]

I keep the batteries plugged into the charger, which sits on top of my tool chest. However, based on knowledge I picked up here at GJ, I don't keep the charger plugged in. I only plug it in when needed.

I missed the memo. What is the story behind not keeping the charger plugged in?

 

[GMCGarage]

lmfao. yeah I had to just throw a Makita battery and charger out of the garage door this summer due to it exploding.

What did Makita say?

 

[EOC_Jason]

I missed the memo. What is the story behind not keeping the charger plugged in?

Different chargers work differently... Like mine if I leave a battery in it will go into low-power mode so it won't over-charge the battery.

Some older chargers recommended not to leave a battery in after it is charged.

I don't leave the battery in the charger though and I have them on a power strip that I flip off when not in use just because I don't like any of the parasitic draw that all electronic devices will draw even when they are "off"...

 

[Jon_E]

I like the idea of tool storage "cubbies" where you have something akin to a tall bookshelf with adjustable vertical dividers. You can put any kind of tool in there, move the dividers to fit, and label the cubby. Some of them I have seen with fixed dividers and a shelf below for coiled power cords, but I use those cable clamps for my cords so they don't spread all over the place and I don't like fixed dividers.

My battery chargers are attached to the wall next to the outlet they're plugged into, so it is a one-handed removal or insert of batteries.

 

[Grodge Area]

This is a great idea! I currently have seven of the Dewalt 20V Maxx tools, two chargers, and four batteries, and I keep all of them except the hedge trimmers in a large Rubbermaid tub. Sounds like it's time to build something.

 

[Fueler]

Different chargers work differently... Like mine if I leave a battery in it will go into low-power mode so it won't over-charge the battery.

Some older chargers recommended not to leave a battery in after it is charged.

I don't leave the battery in the charger though and I have them on a power strip that I flip off when not in use just because I don't like any of the parasitic draw that all electronic devices will draw even when they are "off"...

Thanks,
Other than the parasitic draw my Dewalt stuff doesn't seem to present any issues leaving the battery on there if I forget about it.

I do have the Dewalt leaf blower that got weird. It ***** the battery dry just sitting on the shelf..so battery does not get installed until needed.

Oh, after some hemming and hawing I did the shelf deal. I did cut a couple of slots for the saws blades to fit.

 

[69385vette]

I really liked the Lowes Charge Station design, but I needed 6 slots. I extended the dimensions and ran this off on my CNC over the weekend. Works great for me.

A sheet of plywood and some pocket screws!

 

[EOC_Jason]

What are in all the spray bottles??? That is really nice, wish I had that much wall space to make a nice big one!! Unfortunately I'm kind of constrained to certain dimensions so I'm just maximizing what space I have...

Here's some pictures thus far. About to go back outside and work on it some more. I temporarily hung it with the clamps just to get a rough idea how it would look, it will be ~2" below that shelf so I can stuff all my small boxes of screws up there. I was wanting an edge on the sides but I kind of forgot to take into account the 3/4" thickness of the plywood when doing the height... Oh well...

Hard to tell from the pictures but I did router the outside edges with a small arc just to take the sharp corners off.

Looks like everything will fit more or less how I wanted. Small screws like I said will be on top, the larger 5lb boxes (that I use more often) will be on the smaller shelf on the bottom. Battery chargers will be mounted to the side. Spare batteries will be up on the shelf with the saw / angle grinder.

It will be painted the same as the wall / shelves.

I'm happy, this will get the tools off my free-standing shelves, the batteries & charger off my workbench, and all the screws out of the bottom drawer of my tool chest..

Will post some more pics as I get closer to finishing.

 

[Will Allen]

However, based on knowledge I picked up here at GJ, I don't keep the charger plugged in. I only plug it in when needed.

I must be missing something., My chargers have been plugged in for years.

 

[M35A2]

I have one drawn up and plan on going to my sons shop to cut on CNC router. I have drills, impacts, ratchets and hackzall to go in mine so I made it 40” long. I’ll post pics when I get it done.

 

[EOC_Jason]

I had to cut every board with the cordless Cman circular saw... I'm storing a few things for a friend and they are in the way of my radial arm saw... Talk about a pain in the ****!!!

I would have loved to make it wider but the shelf on that workbench you can probably see in the corner would have caused issues. Gotta work with the room that I have!

Just finished priming it around 10pm.. Tomorrow it gets painted, a front just came through this evening too which hopefully the humidity will be a lot lower tomorrow and I can get two good coats on...

 

[tim_]

I saw Lowes had something like this on sale, though not in-store near me:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-24-in-x-30-in-Steel-Tool-Chest-Black/1000222005

The title is tool chest, but it's designed around cordless tools, and has a wall mount bracket included.

 

[Git]

I needed 7 slots if I wanted to include my circular saw. I also went with the battery up configuration which enabled me to hang some things that you couldn't ordinarily do

From left to right
Grinder, LED Light, Jig Saw, Drill, Driver, Drill, Circular Saw

Two Makita chargers on top along with a charger for my Fein Cordless stuff and a regular aaa-aa type battery charger. It's nice to have everything in one place

 

[James-W]

I don't have enough cordless tools to warrant having a cordless tool station. Maybe I should have a few more cordless tools, but at this point in time I don't really have the need for it.

 

[69385vette]

The spray bottles are different colors for making custom epoxy cabinet tops.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have my chargers on a shelf but I leave my 18V Dewalt stuff in the bag in the workbench. If somebody decides to do a smash and grab, they are out of sight.

Even though the chargers are present, they will have to look for the tools except the impact driver, it never gets put away.

 

[biggziff]

I have my chargers on a shelf but I leave my 18V Dewalt stuff in the bag in the workbench. If somebody decides to do a smash and grab, they are out of sight.

Even though the chargers are present, they will have to look for the tools except the impact driver, it never gets put away.

The other problem with displaying them on or in a shelf is they accumulate all the dust, dirt, etc. in the air which will shorten the life of the tool.

I prefer to keep them in a bag or drawer.

 

[iowa4x4dieselman]

Sorry for the bad picture but mine are in a kobalt cabinet and the shelf below has the Chargers, I used 3" pvc and a 2x4 to attach them too, I need to make some more but it works well for me.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[EOC_Jason]

Yes, I've seen that too, but it wasn't big enough to hold everything I wanted, and buying two seemed rather pricey when I could build one for free...

I saw Lowes had something like this on sale, though not in-store near me:

Sounds cool, do you have any pictures???

The spray bottles are different colors for making custom epoxy cabinet tops.

Interesting point, I guess a good thing about the way I designed it is I *could* add some doors to the front.

The other problem with displaying them on or in a shelf is they accumulate all the dust, dirt, etc. in the air which will shorten the life of the tool. I prefer to keep them in a bag or drawer.

I also forgot to include my cordless finishing nailer in the picture, but it should fit just fine. If I was to hang them I would have done like Git did and gone battery-side UP since some of the tools can't be held upright (like the nailer, or angle grinder).

I totally forgot I recently acquired a bunch of new bits for my router (estate sale), and I'm pretty sure there were several dado bits and I'm betting one could have been the right width for the plywood... Oh well, maybe next project!

I really like all the pictures people are posting of theirs! If you have one post it up!

 

[69385vette]

This is a counter top I just finished.

 

[Fueler]

Just got some stuff from Stone Coat. Going to take a stab at doing the kitchen counters.

 

[69385vette]

Yep, this is Stone Coat stuff