I thought this project might be of interest to the WWing community for its approach to flexible storage of hand tools at a workspace (and certainly not as an exercise in exemplary joinery). The project began as a hasty shelf or two to hold daily users over my woodworking bench. I had been putting off on fabricating a proper hand tool cabinet but needed something to get the tool clutter off the bench. Like many things in life, opportunities started to present themselves as I researched best practices for tool suite storage. I decided to approach this build as an exercise in modular storage employing bins and french cleats. With two main units serving as facilitators, configurations could then evolve and change with bench demands.
After a few Sketchup sessions, I commenced the build in red oak and oak plywood with bits of poplar, primarily using hand tools. Joinery was a combination of biscuit, finger, and butt joints with glue. Lee Valley aluminum sliders were used for the three main drawers and proved useful for maximizing space. I introduced curves into the lower cleat mounts to soften the harshness of the lines and used 1/8 edge roundovers throughout to achieve a pleasing tactile quality. My design aesthetic went out the window when I began fabrication of the final piece-–the large lower shelf rack. Not only did I violate the flexible, small-size dictum, I also discovered that ergonomics would not allow it to sit on the recessed lower cleat as intended. After some modification, the result is satisfactory, but not optimal. Looking back on this incremental build, I am sure I could have made much better use of the space, but the final result allows visual access and tool maintenance and upkeep in an orderly fashion.
I am impressed with your project. I would like to see the sketchup plans, as well as better photo’s of the cabinet and tools. I am always looking for good storage ideas for hand tools. Thanks for showing your fine work.
Nice… I am inspired, and will try to make my own “copy”
Thanks for sharing this..
TR.
I really like the saw till. Never seen a similar design but it seems extremely functional for dovetail or cabinet saws which I have several and also struggle to find a place for.
I’d need much more plane storage area, but with the modular design you’ve come up with that is very possible.
I like it. It’s inspired me to do something about my cluttered hand tool storage.
Thanks for sharing.
– Ken.
Great design! Awesome function meets beauty! While not a fan of Oak, red or white, I don’t notice in this piece because it’s just so damn cool!! Excellent, Fransikaner!!!
Very nice, thanks for sharing.
You let your creative juices flow, really nice. Thanks for great new ideas
Awsume project. Looks like a diplay in a store. Good idea.
to call it a shelf is a little modest !!! fantastic piece, skills!
Superb, loads of great ideas there. Thanks for sharing.
Very nice!
I like your double usage of drawer pulls & tool rack. Space is a valuable commodity, it’s good to see you didn’t waste any.
The chisels at the far left look like a set of Janport Swedish I found at a yard sale. I thought I’d use them for beater chisels but I like the short butt style blades & handles so much that they are becoming my go to all-around tools. How do you like them?
Frank, those are my Dad’s old Canadian Beavers – they are rebadged Eskiltunas for the NA market. I love the balance and the Swedish steel holds quite well. They are also a future restoration project.
Wow!!
If there are flaws as you mentioned, from what I see, they are far overcome by the successes of this project!
Any chance of posting the sketchup files? i am going to re-do my wall racks, and like the ideas in your design.
I’ll be happy to post it in the WTO SU section this w.e. The model is VERY basic, but covers most of the important elements.
Awful lot going on there.
It came out nice !
Mother of God!