Powertool Storage??

[Martelle]

what are you guys doing for power tool storage. I have a bunch of smaller hand power tools that I have no idea what to do with. I don't really have space in my toolbox.

Here is my workbench and some of the area I'm working with. I'll try to get better photos tonight that shows the rest of the space.

So what creative idea do you have or are you using to get hem out of the way.

 

[Crizzle]

Nice blue CMan boxes. Have the same. One thing I did was to add some hooks to the back edge of my workbench and hang some of the tools I use less often (sabre saw, finish sander, router) on the hooks. Looks liek you might have some room to do the same!

 

[csp]

Cabinets - 10char

 

[W_KY]

My brother in law happened to be in Home Depot one day and they were selling empty Dewalt tool cases from their displays (like $1-3) each. I had him pick me up two of them. I now wish I had him buy all they had. They are really handy for sticking things like me HF multitool or Angle grinder which didn't come with cases. I think you can buy the empty cases online but no idea on the prices.

 

[vlpronj]

My garage is nothing like most shown here, organization wise, but I've been picking up filing cabinets whenever I see them. I've got a 4 drawer vertical, with drill motors up top, circular saws and a jigsaw in the next, and I forget what's in the 3rd, but its stuff that plugs into the wall The bottom one has a big tub of deck screws right now, but I'll probably put the jigsaw, palm sander, and some other stuff there, when I move the 3rd circular saw into the 2nd drawer.
I pick up the sturdy cabinets, with half height sides when possible.

 

[kbs2244]

I don’t do it this way, but the best idea I have seen was a metal 5 drawer file cabinet.
They can had real cheap, even free, and have big strong drawers.

 

[robertgreen79]

I don’t do it this way, but the best idea I have seen was a metal 5 drawer file cabinet.
They can had real cheap, even free, and have big strong drawers.

I see those on craigslist all the time for free too

 

[JerryTX]

A couple of ideas...

Build a shelf or two below your work bench and store your power tools there. I have a shelf under my work bench where I store my routing table (one of the Craftsman table top routing tables) and my miter saw. I used to use a metal shelf like what you have on the right side of your picture but I found it hard to get those larger items on and off the shelf.

You could also get a roller cabinet with a power tool storage area and slide those under your bench. Harbor Freight has one that is part of their 11-drawer tool cabinet (tho the 11-drawer is on sale now for $199 and the cabinet alone is $150).

I store my power tools in the bottom of that. I was able to put my 18V reciprocating saw and jigsaw in one drawer, all the accessories in another, and the rest of my power tools in the bottom.

To give an idea of what you can fit in there...
18V Drill (x2)
18V Impact Driver
18V Flashlight (x2)
18V Circular Saw
18V Dirt Devil
Angle Grinder
Dewalt Heavy Duty Drill

And that's everything nicely and neatly stored in there... I could pile twice that amount of stuff in there if I wanted to.

Last idea is to install some hooks on the wall and hang your tools from the hook. I used to store my drills on a pegboard wall and the home improvement stores sell pegboard hook specifically for drills.

Hope that gives you some ideas.

 

[Martelle]

These are great Ideas, keep them coming.

I'm going to look for the large filing drawers and the Harbor freight box. (ran out of room in my Craftsman). Hooks are on the list just need to get them installed

 

[Stuey]

Wire shelving. can fit a LOT of stuff. I like 'em more than I do cabinets.

 

[rieferman]

I agree with wire shelving, that's what I will be doing in my shop. I prefer to be able to visually scan my entire lot of tools quickly and all my major power tools are in hard cases, so no need for drawer protection.

 

[KenB]

I've built a couple versions of this simple but surprisingly versatile shelf/cubby idea. One is a stand-alone version that hangs on the wall and another is built under a workbench. The cubbies are great for storing power cords -- no wrapping around the tool to get them out of the way -- and stashing other tool-specific accessories, like chucks, wrenches, blades, bits, belts, discs, etc. Easy to take stock of your collection at a glance. Good luck.

http://emporiumindonesia.com/Woodworking-Project-Plans/Power-Tools-Storage.htm

Ken

 

[OccupantRJ]

I use lateral file cabinets with lift up lids that slide back into the cabinet when open, and the drawers also glide out. Best thing I have used yet.

 

[Krokodil]

I recently put up a pipe against my wall with various lengths of threaded bar drilled through the pipe and bend into various length hooks at the bottom to hang my powertools from. I pulled rubber pipe over the threaded bar to protect the tools from scratching.

I'll see if I can take a pic today.

I guess this is what everybody refers to with a wire shelf.

 

[usmc_noma]

As other have mentioned get some file cabinets. You could probably even score the two drawer lateral file cabinets and place them under your work bench for your tools. If you need to charge a battery, put the charger on top of it. I personally have a large mouth bag with several small cordless tools in it. Otherwise I have them sitting on shelves I built into my workbench.

 

[mdbeck1]

My cordless stuff go back into the bag that came with them. That way the whole bag can be thrown in the truck easier.

About half of my corded stuff came in cases. The cases are on shelves or on top of the cabinets in my garage. Some of the stuff is in file cabinets. The rest of the stuff is on shelves with the router table or in a cabinet under the toolbox.

The only neat idea that I use is for my drills. I have a piece of plastic pipe screwed to the leg(s) of my workbenches. The ID of the pipe is a little larger than the OD of the drill chuck. While I am working on the bench I can just slip the drill chuck into the holder and not worry about it. If this is confusing I'll try to get a picture of it for you.

 

[Krokodil]

The only neat idea that I use is for my drills. I have a piece of plastic pipe screwed to the leg(s) of my workbenches. The ID of the pipe is a little larger than the OD of the drill chuck. While I am working on the bench I can just slip the drill chuck into the holder and not worry about it. If this is confusing I'll try to get a picture of it for you.

This sound like a cool idea. I hope you unplug the drills when storing like this. I can just image a drill being trigger in this position and slapping you!

 

[Lkdelta]

I went to the local big-box home improvement (lowes in my case) and got 2x3's, half inch plywood and a sheet of hardboard and built "custom shelf height/depth" cabinets for my drills, saws, tape measure, staple gun, boxes of screws, etc
They can be as tall and skinny, short and fat or any combination you need to do your storage. One "cabinet" even has drawers for wrenches, cutting pliers, squeeze pliers, big drawer for all hammers. I made the drawers from 3/4" plywood and the 1-1/4 screws.
I didn't have to buy roller drawer sliders for any of the drawers. Create a groove for the drawer you made by letting the drawer sit on the bottom of your shelf and screw a 3/4"w by 1-1/2h" strip to the wall of the cabinet about 1/4" above the sidewall of the drawer.
3" or 4" sheet rock screws hold it all together with a box of 1 and 1/4" screws to hold the plywood/hardboard.

 

[pcgold]

Great ideas guys. Just the type of things I'm looking for. I've just bought a new (to us) home with a three car garage. I'm in the process of trying to outfit it. Can't wait to see the pics of the ideas above.

 

[Lkdelta]

Great ideas guys. Just the type of things I'm looking for. I've just bought a new (to us) home with a three car garage. I'm in the process of trying to outfit it. Can't wait to see the pics of the ideas above.

do you have to keep all three "cars spots" open, or is one going to "shop"?

 

[bobadame]

For tools like circular saws, drills, portable grinders etc. I use old file cabinets. They hold lots of weight and being rather tall, they don't take up much floor space. The old ones are built much sturdier than the newer ones and can be had for cheap.

 

[PAToyota]

I picked up a bunch of file cabinets that the office I was working at was going to throw in the dumpster. Made a base for them and painted them with Hammerite paint. Perfect sizes for power tools (either with or without cases) as well as other assorted supplies storage.

 

[Lkdelta]

Almost forgot...one of my "cabinets" is big enough that I can roll my snowblower into the first shelf (the floor) and have 3 sturdy storage shelves above it. the shelves are 48" x 60" over in the corner
Keeps everybody else from using the blower as a place to drop stuff

 

[pep]

+1 on lateral file or normal file cabinets.

The only I have to add is that there's crummy ones and better ones (as usual). I'd look around for Herman Miller on Craigslist or one of those places that sells used office furniture. There's a few other brands that seem decent too.

 

[jeepjunky]

After years of trying to figure this out...I did. first how offen do you use your tools? I generally dont use my compound miter saw, or tile saw very much. So I built a HD (used 2x10) shelf that is about level with the garage door track. I put my power tools up there. I can tell when one has not been returned, if I need it I grab my step stool, and I dont have a tool I might use only 3x a year taking up usefull space on my bench. My cordless drill gets used often, its found in the tool box. The tile saw, miter saw, circular saw, 1/2 chuck drill, jig saw...ect, the shelf is 8' long
good luck

 

[ChristopherLutz]

I have open vertical shelving - nothing tricky....I really want to build some cabinets with doors to keep the dust off everything. So - not much help other than urge you to find something that closes up.

 

[JC23]

You can add walls and doors to your shelving. I did it years ago in my old garage using pegboard for the doors.

 

[Cwood8656]

I keep small hand power tools in plastic tubs under my benches, along with most of my parts and build materials.

 

[xcgates]

Wow, I get around it by having exactly two cordless tools, both of which go back in the same case!

(Yes, I'm working on it, don't fret, I'm almost as sick as everyone around here)

 

[Mike14k]

Hi all,


First time poster here... so assuming the image I loaded will show up.

I built a wood, wall mount cabinet out of ply left over from our house consutruction. I use the top surface to hold shapeners, bits, jigs and chargers.

I like the cabinet up off the floor to keep dust out and make sweeping easy.

 

[evintho]

Hi all,


First time poster here... so assuming the image I loaded will show up.

I built a wood, wall mount cabinet out of ply left over from our house consutruction. I use the top surface to hold shapeners, bits, jigs and chargers.

I like the cabinet up off the floor to keep dust out and make sweeping easy.

Welcome to the board! Great first post! I really like that idea!

 

[ddawg16]

Mike14...welcome....so....do you have enough screws there? Pretty decent layout....what I like is that you can tell at a glance what is missing....

I'm glad OccupantRJ chimed in. I have been to his shop....I really like his use of the file cabinets.....what I like is the fact that you can take the drawer face and pop it up out of the way giving you a full view of what is inside.