Simple Drill Charging "Center" & Drill Press Drawer

I know everyone seems to build and show these things, but it’s because we all need them at some point. I’ve been meaning to build one, and finally took some time in the shop today to knock out a few quick shop “tools”, after being in the dog house yesterday with the better half. We’ve all been there, haven’t we?

I don’t make any secret my like for Ryobi cordless drills, Drill press or 8.25” Radial Arm Saw (which I’ve had for 20+ years), and since I just got a new Li-Ion Drill kit a few weeks ago, I figured it was time to get to building this project to keep things off the kitchen counter, or at least in one place on the counter when it was charging time.

I didn’t have any pre-conceived idea of how it was going to be built, I just went to work to work and whatever I ended up with was going to be fine. I just knew I need it to hold the 3 drills, chargers, batteries and anything else would be a bonus. As it turns out, there was MAYBE an 1/8” clearance on the bottom shelf where the batteries are (WHEW!) and it’ll store up to five batteries there, Or I can store 3 with room for the 150 Ryobi Bits/Tips roll-up keeper there. I like the idea that the Li-Ion/NiCad Charger can be mounted vertically so that’s what I decided to so while the other older NiCad charger could just sit on the shelf area next to the drill bits and screw tips containers (Dewalt, because Ryobi doesn’t make nice small cases like those). I did use a small piece of Red Oak for the Drill holder so it would hold up a bit better, Plus it was scrap and not useful for anything else at the time.

The only thing I would change I think at this point is adding a few small handles on either side at the top, to make it easier to carry. I have the handles so it won’t cost anything extra. Total cost for this was $6 for a 1” x 10” x 6’ whiteboard. Leftover 1/4” MDF for the back.

Next was the small drawer/lift for the Ryobi Drill Press. I chose to put the drawer on the side so I could get it out easier than one long drawer pulling all the way out and spilling when it does get pulled out too far. This way it could just be pulled out onto the counter top. Oddly enough, I decided that the sanding discs for the (Ridgid) Orbital Sander fit great there, so that’s where they ended up, along with a few misc wrenches and stuffs.

-- Respect your shop tools and they will respect you - Ric