Fold-down pegboard or tool storage... anyone tried it?

[countrytech]

I have an overhead door in my shop that I seldom open and is mostly wasted space for me because my shop is so small that I can barely afford to lose that 8ft wide space...

Since the door is metal and not flammable I'd like to use the space in front of it for my grinding/welding work on a rolling workbench that can be moved if I ever need to open the door. I'd really like to hang some tools like hammers, hacksaw, pry bars, and grinding and wire wheels (the dirty stuff) over that mobile workbench so I have easy access to it when I am working there.

The overhead door is about 8ft wide by 7ft tall and manually opened so there is no center track or power unit in the center of the ceiling. The tracks for the door are suspended about 6-8 inches down from the overhead trusses.

My idea is to put a heavy duty hinge against the wall directly over the door on the wall and then have a pegboard with a frame attached that can fold up out of the way and latch flat to the ceiling when I need to open the door.

Good idea, bad idea? confused? Your input would be appreciated!

 

[rwhite692]

Jack Olsen will be along any second

 

[SWells]

I think you could make it work assuming the structure is adequate ( or you don't overload it). If the new weight is high enough on the door the counter balance should help to keep it open vs wanting to close all the time. Hangers that work horizontally and vertically wouldn't be a big deal either. I say go for it!

 

[KCarGuy]

A couple of thoughts...
Lets say that you are talking 150 lbs of tools (with hangers, pegboard and structure)
(1) You want a Structure that will not sag when up and in place.
(2) You might think of an Assist when it comes to swinging it up and away.
(3) You will want a Real Positive way to lock it up and away.
(4) I would be afraid of someone trying to open the door while its down...so maybe a pin or lockout for the door while the Pedboard is down.
(5) and a real good way to hang the tools, it would **** to have one come loose and smack ya in the face when you were lowering the board.
Not that it cant be done...I say, go for it!
Good Luck

 

[bad_idea]

Rather than go through all the hassle to make it swing up and away, I would mount it to the rolling workbench. Then it rolls out of the door's way w/ the bench.

 

[GreyOwl]

I think you could make it work assuming the structure is adequate ( or you don't overload it). If the new weight is high enough on the door the counter balance should help to keep it open vs wanting to close all the time. Hangers that work horizontally and vertically wouldn't be a big deal either. I say go for it!

I think he is wanting to mount it to the wall above the door, not on the door itself.
I don't know why it wouldn't work as long as said before, the tools don't come loose while raised.

Charles

 

[Jeff Ivers]

My experience with pegboard is it is not very strong when horizontal. Also, all the pegboard hooks/brackets I have experience with only work well when the tool is hanging down. If your total weight of tools is fairly small and you are using some sort of bracket that keeps the tool locked in place, then the idea will work for you. Personally, I would either create a roll around frame for the pegboard or attach it to the back of the workbench.

 

[Call me the Breeze]

Rather than go through all the hassle to make it swing up and away, I would mount it to the rolling workbench. Then it rolls out of the door's way w/ the bench.

I was thinking the same thing! I envision stuff on the pegboard hooks coming loose and falling when lowered again Like Kcarguy said.

 

[countrytech]

I think he is wanting to mount it to the wall above the door, not on the door itself.

Correct.

A couple of thoughts...
Lets say that you are talking 150 lbs of tools (with hangers, pegboard and structure)
(1) You want a Structure that will not sag when up and in place.
(2) You might think of an Assist when it comes to swinging it up and away.
(3) You will want a Real Positive way to lock it up and away.
(4) I would be afraid of someone trying to open the door while its down...so maybe a pin or lockout for the door while the Pedboard is down.
(5) and a real good way to hang the tools, it would **** to have one come loose and smack ya in the face when you were lowering the board.
Not that it cant be done...I say, go for it!
Good Luck

I'm thinking of using 2x4's as the frame for it.

The overhead can only be opened from the inside and the handle to unlatch the door is directly behind where the pegboard would hang so it'd be nearly impossible to even unlatch the door if the pegboard is down.

Any suggestions on an assist? the only method I can think of would be some kind of cable and pulley attached to the ceiling in the center of the building but that would be in the way when the board is down...

 

[Cars&Classic]

I dont know if it would help, but I was just looking at diamond plate peg board at menards in the closet section. looks nice and might be stronger. a little pricy though

 

[KCarGuy]

I use a Tool Balancer for certain Applications at work.
Most can be adjusted for lighter or heavier loads (to a point)
One or More could be used.
The ones That I use have steel rope cables and can pull-recoil 20 feet.
I can add some manufacture info and pics if needed.
Or use a Spring setup, like whats on some old wooden Attic Pull down stairs setup.

 

[ozyborn]

I put my home made panel cutting saw above the garage door. Folds down when I need it then locks back up when I do not. Saves a lot of room that way.

 

[countrytech]

I put my home made panel cutting saw above the garage door. Folds down when I need it then locks back up when I do not. Saves a lot of room that way.

please post photos!

 

[Brad54]

Is this the only bench in your shop?

If you have any other tools--like a drill press, band saws, etc. I would put those in front of the door, as you can put them on wheels and move them out of the way easily.
Then I'd put the bench along the back wall.

I totally get wanting to maximize space, but I'm not sure that's the way to do it for reasons others have said.

Option 2 is to get some black pipe, flanges, 90-s and T-fittings, and make a frame and bolt it to the back edge of your bench top. Then using U-bolts and flat strap, bolt pegboard to the frame, giving you a place to put your tools.
If the bench is on wheels, you can move the whole thing out of the way of the door, tools and all.

If you add some "outriggers" over the bench, you can attach a florescent light right over your work bench too.

Go to Home Depot and look at the magazine rack--a couple times a year they have shop organization and small-shop "one-shot" magazines (annuals). Some of the magazines also have regular stories on small shop design, layout and tips.

-Brad

 

[Jack Olsen]

I'd throw everything you want to put in it into a box and weigh it. Even if it's manageable, you'll need a pretty sturdy frame.

You'll be limited in what you can put on it -- some stuff will want to fall when it's being raised or lowered. For the most flexibility, the suggestion of mounting the pegboard to the bench might make more sense.

But that depends on what you want to put on it.

You could work a counterweight and a pulley like they used to do for heavy windows.

Or you could have it swing out from the side, like a very wide door. This would preserve the orientation of the tools relative to gravity, at least. You might face fewer falling hammers that way.

 

[machine_punk]

I don't think there is a problem with the basic idea. I'm not sure it is the way I would do it, though.

If you want to to do this, I think a rope/pulley system would be the best for raising it. Attach the ropes to the bottom corners, so they are out of the way when the system is down (look at the way pulley systems are wired for bicycles...two lift points, but only one rope. A counterweight system on the other end of that rope might be necessary (or one of the little Harbor Freight electric hoists).

Make ABSOLUTELY sure that the pegboard, supports, and any hanging parts are COMPLETELY above the swing of the door.

Make sure the system is joined to the joists above by a very secure method...spread the weight out over as many joists as you can and use long lag bolts, or use u-bolts over the tops of the joists.

If I was going to do this for my shop, I'm pretty sure I would go with a rolling tool board (two asymmetrical 'upside-down T' legs. You many not even need casters...it will likely be light enough to slide fairly easily. Or, maybe put casters on one end, and move it like a wheelbarrow.)

What you want to do sounds cool (and I want to see the pictures, if you do it), but might be a little tough to pull off well.

I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of whatever you decide!

 

[bad_idea]

Another vote for lemme see this home made panel saw!

 

[d.swanson]

For the pulley/rope lifting system - could you use one of the rope/pulley bicycle lifts everyone is selling these days?

 

[Ocho]

So you will only be able to access the tools with the door closed? And the latch will be on the ceiling? How often do you use these tools?

If it were me, every time I wanted to get to something on the tool board it would be when the door was open, but then that's the way most of my projects go anyway.

 

[e-tek]

Yikes Jack - yer new Avatar makes you look WAY TOO PRETTY to know so much about garages!!