How to Build a Tool Rack

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Build storage cabinets for your tools, outfeed tables for shop machines and more in “How to Make Workbenches & Shop Storage Solutions” from the Experts of “American Woodworker.” Clear-cut instructions and accompanying photographs will have you building like an aircraft engineer, super-flat and strong with a torsion box workbench, assembly table and alignment beams.
Build storage cabinets for your tools, outfeed tables for shop machines and more in “How to Make Workbenches & Shop Storage Solutions” from the Experts of “American Woodworker.” Clear-cut instructions and accompanying photographs will have you building like an aircraft engineer, super-flat and strong with a torsion box workbench, assembly table and alignment beams.
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“My passion for woodworking began as a teenager, so I was thrilled to receive my great-great-grandfather’s wooden hand planes and other tools when I was newly married. I enjoy designing and building furniture, because of the challenging joinery and different styles. Building my own router table, miter saw table, and workbenches has also been satisfying.” — David L. Pickard
“My passion for woodworking began as a teenager, so I was thrilled to receive my great-great-grandfather’s wooden hand planes and other tools when I was newly married. I enjoy designing and building furniture, because of the challenging joinery and different styles. Building my own router table, miter saw table, and workbenches has also been satisfying.” — David L. Pickard
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Each tool hanger has a bottom groove that allows it to slip snugly onto any of the slats. This nifty feature makes the hangers easy to move, so you can rearrange your rack to accommodate newly acquired tools.
Each tool hanger has a bottom groove that allows it to slip snugly onto any of the slats. This nifty feature makes the hangers easy to move, so you can rearrange your rack to accommodate newly acquired tools.
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Use an L-shaped jig to assure uniform spacing when you screw the slats to the frame.
Use an L-shaped jig to assure uniform spacing when you screw the slats to the frame.
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Check periodically to make sure the assembly remains square. Each added slat stiffens the frame.
Check periodically to make sure the assembly remains square. Each added slat stiffens the frame.
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The rack consists of slats fastened to a frame. Assemble the frame with one screw at each joint. Clamps hold the frame square during assembly.
The rack consists of slats fastened to a frame. Assemble the frame with one screw at each joint. Clamps hold the frame square during assembly.
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Cut grooves in a long, wide board to make tool hanger blanks. Make the grooves a hair wider than the slats.
Cut grooves in a long, wide board to make tool hanger blanks. Make the grooves a hair wider than the slats.
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To create custom-fit hangers, lay all your tools onto a large table, then group them according to the types of notches you think they’ll require. Sawing slots, installing dowels, drilling holes, chopping mortises or adding lipped edging will accommodate most tools.
To create custom-fit hangers, lay all your tools onto a large table, then group them according to the types of notches you think they’ll require. Sawing slots, installing dowels, drilling holes, chopping mortises or adding lipped edging will accommodate most tools.
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Drilled end, mortise
Drilled end, mortise
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Leave the last slat oversize. Mark the edge and trim the slat to width. This method is easier than trying to exactly size all the parts.
Leave the last slat oversize. Mark the edge and trim the slat to width. This method is easier than trying to exactly size all the parts.
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1 7/8-inch Hole diameter
1 7/8-inch Hole diameter
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Applied edge, dado
Applied edge, dado
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3/8-inch Diameter dowel, 7/16-inch (typ.)
3/8-inch Diameter dowel, 7/16-inch (typ.)
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Lipped edging keeps planes in place.
Lipped edging keeps planes in place.
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1/8-inch to 1/4-inch Lip
1/8-inch to 1/4-inch Lip
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Acrylic shields glued into grooves protect hands from sharp edges.
Acrylic shields glued into grooves protect hands from sharp edges.
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Dimensions for parts of the tool rack
Dimensions for parts of the tool rack
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Use these measurements when building your tool rack.
Use these measurements when building your tool rack.

If loose screws always scatter when you open a drawer or you can never find the right hammer, then How to Make Workbenches & Shop Storage Solutions: 28 Projects to Make Your Workshop More Efficient (Fox Chapel Publishing, 2011) is your guide to getting organized. Everything you wanted to know about building a workbench, making work tables and constructing storage cabinets for tools, materials and supplies can be found in this comprehensive book. Learn how to build a tool rack in this excerpt taken from the Chapter “Tool Storage.” 

Whether you have an exquisite collection of antique tools or the latest in high-tech gear, this versatile wall rack stores them all within easy reach. It’s easy to build and adapts to fit virtually any wall space. The 48-by-48-inch rack is made from poplar, but any hardwood or combination of hardwoods will work. Each tool hanger has a bottom groove that allows it to slip snugly onto any of the slats. This nifty feature makes the hangers easy to move, so you can rearrange your rack to accommodate newly acquired tools.

The biggest — and most fun — challenge this rack presents is figuring out how to modify the hangers to display your unique collection of tools.

See the dimensions chart in the Image Gallery for measurements of parts.

Build the Tool Rack

  • Published on Mar 27, 2012
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