My Take On Cordless Tools Storage...

[ptgb]

Probably will never have to use a circular saw on a Valkyrie... it is now related...

Had much "analysis paralysis" over the last couple of weeks for cordless (and some corded) power tool storage.

Didn't want to just throw them in drawer. Many nice examples of hanging under the cabinet, but mostly just drills and drivers... I need to store other stuff as well. Also thought about pegboard (metal), but the hangers you can get are flimsy and not adaptable to specific cordless tools. Also what to do about chargers & batteries.

Here is my solution:


Have two wooden wall cabinets on one wall (old lab cabinets). They most had little used stuff piled in them. Had room for this stuff elsewhere...





Took the middle shelf out, and wiped the interior down with deglosser. The small wood wedges were used in the next step...





Cut up the removed shelf. Cut one side at an angle to meet the back of the cabinet and the other to be 90 degrees to the bottom of the cabinet. Drilled 7 equidistant 2" holes on the drill press. Glued and screwed the this new angled "holder" using the wedges under it as support...





Painted the inside flat black and mounted the 6 way charger and one single charger for my one "big" battery. Also placed the drills, drivers, and hammer drill in place to be able to space other stuff...




Using more scraps from the shelf and some 2x4 supports, I built a shelf to hold all my batteries...




Now, to fabricate the brackets I envisioned, I picked up a bender from Eastwood that bends flat steel to various angles. Slick little machine that makes it easy to bend steel at various degrees...





After measuring and some trial and error, bent up sets of brackets for various tools. Used different widths and thicknesses of flat steel depending on the size and weight of the tool. Primed and then painted...






Mounted specific brackets in specific places for size allowance of each tool...




Room for drills, drivers, chargers, light, oscillating tool, and grinder in this one. Also added a small hook for the cord for the corded drill on the side...




Other cabinet prepared the same way (painted) and rest of the tools mounted in there. Room for some more as I get them...




My whole setup....




Took about 2 afternoons and about $40 in supplies to accomplish it all, not including the bender which I can use for other things.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Nice work !

[John Schmidt]

OK, anyone with a clean, organized shop like that is an affront to the male species.    Great looking project. Now all you need is a grease gun holder. 

[Jess from VA]

Really nice work Pete.  

For my power tools (not as many as you) what doesn't fit in the big bottom drawer of my rolling tool chest, stays put in their original cases.... and spread all over the shed with no rhyme or reason (just any place they will fit).

This is OK, but sometimes I have to look for stuff, and last summer I almost bought another skill saw (even though I already had one... it was just hidden too well, and I forgot I had it).

I have to keep my battery stuff in the house (utility room) in winter,  so the batteries don't get frozen to death in the unheated shed.

[Hook#3287]

Nice job

Way to organized for me.  If I did that, you'd open the doors and it'd be empty in there and all the tools would be on the bench.

I like that metal bender.

[OnaWingandaPrayer]

That is a great project and finished nicely. 

[John Schmidt]

Was looking on Ebay for that metal bender and found the exact thing but with a mfr's. name of KaKa. Now anything with a name like KaKa.....I'm not sure I want on my bench. I already have enough Kaka on my bench without a tool named after it.    Besides, it was $116 so guess it's back to the vice and a hammer. 

[msb]

 Very nice work, and a good solution for having these tools close at hand. Mmm...some inspiration here for sure. Upon moving into a new home last April I was determined to make sure I set up the new , larger garage in a much more orderly fashion than what I had for the previous 30 years. I've been successful in doing so (getting rid of a bunch of crap is a good start) and I really enjoy finding more ways to be organized (the Mrs is shocked ). Thanks for posting this