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Project Information

May 2, 2013

Been busy doing more organizing in the shop. This project eliminates all the tool cases that tools come in and places them on one BIG mobile customized tool tower. (Scroll down to see all the detailed pictures and descriptions)

Please let me know if there is too much detail (all the following pictures). I like to see detail when I look at a projects.

It is mounted on 4 inch Total Swivel Lock casters.

This tool tower consists of individual boxes made from 3/4 inch plywood that measure 22 inches wide, 15 inches deep, and height determined by the tools that are to be stored. Each box has a back on them.

The base of the tower is a sheet of 3/4 inch plywood that has another layer of 3/4 inch plywood about 5 inches wide attached to the bottom perimeter of the base to which the casters is attached.

Over all dimensions:
Width = 44 inches
Depth = 15 inches
Height = 69 inches

NOTE: This modular system can also be configured to be a more compact tower by placing the boxes back to back. The resulting tower would be:

Width = 22 inches
Depth = 30 inches
Height = 69 inches

Of course, the base would have to be changed to accommodate the form factor.

(I may reconfigure mine later) If I do reconfigure mine, I might make it so the tower above the base rotates on some sort of lazy susan setup to make it easier to get to tools on the opposite side.

Once the boxes were made and customized, they were arranged according to use. I got lucky and it turned out that when all the boxes were arranged (as seen in 1st photo) the top of the tower was even.

I then started at the bottom of the tower and screwed the first boxes to the base with a couple of sheet rock screws. I also screwed the box sides to each other too. Subsequent boxes were then screwed to the boxes below (and also to the one next to it).

Handles were added about 1/3 of the way up the sides to minimize the chance of tipping the tower over. It won't be moved often.

Now here are the detail pictures of the tool tower starting at the top:



At the very top I have places to store my various batteries.

Starting at the TOP RIGHT of the tower and working down:



The 28V Milwaukee Recip saw was probably the hardest one to make a storage area for since it was so long. However, this allowed me to make a drawer to store the various owners manuals. You might note that every tool storage box has Laser made labels printed on 1/4 inch MDF. That is so when I get old I'll know what went in the box.


I also managed to make a tiny drawer where I now have a place to store all my recip saws.


Drawer for owners manuals.


Next box down I have my small impact driver, speed bloc sander, and a Porter Cable Panel Saw.


Beside the panel saw I have a storage area for all the blades for that saw with 1/4 inch plywood separators.


The next box down I have my corded angle grinder, PC ROS, and my Bosch jig Saw.


Storage for angle grinder wheels and ROS sand paper is right next to the tools.


Beneath the Jig Saw is storage for the jig saw blades.


Next level down is my 18v Makita impact driver and corded circular saw. Note the storage area for the edge guide for the saw.


Beneath the saw is storage for it's blades with 1/4 inch plywood separators.


And at the bottom of the right row of boxes are various corded drills, a heat gun, and a seldom used old heavy 3 X 24 belt sander.


Moving to the UPPER LEFT side of the tool tower is storage for my 28v Milwaukee circular saw and DeWalt and Porter Cable trim routers. The wrenches for the trim routers hang on nails. There is also a storage place for the saw's edge guide.


Beneath the battery saw are it's blades with separators.


The next box down finds my Porter Cable 2HP plunge router with all of it's accessories in their custom cradles.


Next to that is my biscuit router with all it's accessories in custom cradles.

NOTE: My dust collection for this tool utilized a hose from a C-PAP machine with an adapter for my shop vacuum.


The next box down holds all my nail guns and my 28V Milwaukee hammer drill. Storage for the pin nails are beneath the pin nailer.


Beneath that are more sanders. Beneath my PC mini belt sander is storage for extra mini sanding belts.


And the final box holds my power planer and Colt trim router with custom holders for the 2 other (offset and tilting) bases for the Colt


This is the back of the tool tower. Can we say more surfaces to store more tools?


One one end of the tool tower I have a place to store safety glasses. Beneath that is my dust pan and brush. The handles were made with a dowel inside a PVC Pipe.


On the other end I store my router/drill press fences and fire extinguishers.

I hope you enjoyed the tour of the Monster Modular Mobile Tool Tower and it gives you some ideas of what you can do to organize your collection of hand power tools.

Comments are encouraged. Don't forget to let me know if there are too many pictures.

Thanks for looking.

Gallery

Comments

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that looks like a nice set-up. Though I would be concerned about the whole thing toppling over - it just looks pretty skinny front to back…
 

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841 Posts
Ultra cool!!!!!! Really like what you've done-great organization, your hallmark.
 

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Buche-When ever I move it, I have to keep that in mind. That's why I may reconfigure it at a later date. So far, because the handles are placed low, tipping doesn't seem to be a problem.
 

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Tyveboy,

when will I ever find the time to create such things? I must say that you give me a goal to strive for in my shop organization

Best Regards,

Patrick

ps the tool storage cabinet is one step closer to the starting line….I just finished up installing the new molding in my master bath…..
 

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15 Posts
I don't know which is more impressive; all the pictures or the tool tower itself! I especially like the labels and how you've made room for the essential accessories for each tool. Nice build!
 

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Looks great. I do have one question, did you make the labels or have them made?
 

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LOVE THE FIRE EXTIGUISHERS!!!!!!!!!!!
 

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5,738 Posts
Thats just amazing man. Really really cool.
 

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RE: Laser Labels …. I'm fortunate enough to have access to laser printers … so I made them myself.
 

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The storage and organization is great. You noted that each you built smaller boxes then assembled the unit together as a whole. Can I ask if you glued them together or if you just used screws and bolts so it can be reconfigured down the road should you feel the need to?

I always feel I spend half my wood working time going from the basement where I store most my tools to the garage and back again. This central and modular storage unit would be really useful.

The amount of pictures you have included is great. Personally the more details and information provide insight for others who might wish to replicate your build.
 

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425 Posts
wolfsburg_woodworks-all the boxes are just screwed together. You don't really need a lot … 2 screws on the bottom and 1 screw on the side.
 

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WOW!!!!!

love it,how long did it take you to design?

not to many photo's i like seeing a spread of photo's and details.thanks for sharing…...
 

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599 Posts
HOLY SMOKES BATMAN!!

I gotta build me one of those! Unless of course, you want to deliver that one to my shop. I'll let you keep your tools, I can fill it up with mine! LOL!

That is slick as snot! I like the way you "modularized the cubes to fit the tools. I love the detail of labeling everything as well as the drawers and cubbies for all the accessories.

WELL DONE SIR!

Cheers!
 

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There are more cubby holes in this than a beehive. You'll need a file system to locate everything, LOL.
 

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Love the organization this project has created. I love all the pics it really help bring it home. I like the fact that you store the blades close to the tool they belong to. On the 4 1/2" ones what keeps the last spacer on, so the blades don't fall off? Will PM you when done here. Thumbs way up.
 

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Belg1960- The spacers have a snug fit so they won't readily fall off.

whitebeast88-This mnoster started with the ones that I made previously that were just screwed to the wall beside my workbench and tool cabinet I posted. If you go back to those projects and look at some of the pictures, you'll see them hanging on the wall to the LEFT of each project. I didn't have any more wall space so I decided to make more boxes and trick them out for the new tools and mount the whole thing on big heavy duty casters. Thus the moster was born.
 

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Maaaan! That is one BAD ( watch yo mouth!) tool organizer! I have been thinking about, and not doing much, about something similar, but screwed to the wall. Truly impressive!
 

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19,753 Posts
Great job I really like have my tools organized.
 

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Yessss! The modular idea is icing on the cake!! I like having the ability to reconfigure a design once it's already built, and this is the best idea yet. I always seem to have an overflow of tools with no place to put them, this is….Perfect!
 

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People.who are this organized are just too blamed lazy to look for stuff!!!
 
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