 A
rock-solid workbench
and plenty of storage are essentials in any shop. Of
course, both require space, which is especially tough to
find in a shop that shares the garage with cars or has
to fit in a confined basement room. This work center
offers a solution for both situations, with a sturdy
bench that drops out of the way when no longer needed, a
big storage cabinet, and a handy perforated-hardboard
tool-hanging rack. |
 Tool
Chest Plans
In days gone by, to
become a journeyman woodworker, an apprentice had to
pass one final test. He had to use his new skills to
craft a tool chest. If his master approved of his work,
the apprenticeship ended, and the chest became a sales
tool to show off the journeyman’s talent. Let this
handsome chest when completed do the same for you. |
 Tool
storage unit
We packed all these tools and bits—135 pieces total—into
an instant-access storage unit that takes up just 2x2'
of wall space. Think of how it will help organize your
shop!
Spin the entire carousel to access each of its six
tool-holding wings and rotate each wing to access both
of its sides and the center column. |
 Storage
unit
Two simple projects, one great idea: Give the notes or
paper you need a place to be stored, and then studied |
 Clamp
organizer
Solve your clamp-storage problems once and for all with
one or more of our five custom holders. These clever
wall-hung helpers not only keep all your clamps at arm’s
reach, they also look great doing it.
1. Spring-clamp holder
2. Bar-clamp rack
3. Locking C-clamp support
4. C-clamp rack
5. Handscrew-clamp organizer |
 Sanding
Station
You’ll spend less time gritting your teeth and more time
sanding when you store everything you need–sanders,
sandpaper, and sanding belts–in one convenient wall-hung
cabinet. The cabinet accommodates a portable belt sander
and a palm-grip sander. |
 Wall
Cabinet
When we decided to build the Ideal Shop we wanted every
component to be fresh, new, and above all practical.
With that in mind, we put our background to work and
designed a wall-cabinet system that works great for
organizing hand tools, safety equipment, power-tool
accessories, and much more. The cabinets go together
quickly, they won’t cost you an arm and a leg, and the
acrylic inserts in the doors allow you to spot your well
organized tools in a jiffy, and keep dust away from
them, too. In this WOOD PLAN, we’ll show you how to
build a 2x4' cabinet. |
 Lumber
rack
Looking for versatility in a lumber storage rack? This
one's got it! Our rack features adjustable supports that
attach to vertical 2x4s for holding loads of boards. The
unique sheet-goods bin lets you easily sort through
heavy sheets and slide out the one you want. There's
even between-the-studs storage for short stock and
dowels. |
 Wall
unit
Looking for that single location where you can store all
of your sanding supplies? This WOOD magazine original,
featuring a half-dozen easy-to-build projects, may be
just the tick.
It includes holders for belts, sanding discs and
accessories, stick sanders and strips, hand sanders, and
rolls of adhesive-backed sandpaper.
Six great organizers. 1. Sanding-stick and
sand-paper-strip organizer. 2. 5" sanding-disc holder.
3. Hand-sander rack and tote. 4. Disc-sander center. 5.
Roll-sandpaper dispenser. 6. Belt-sander belt divider. |
 Shop
Cabinet
Perforated hardboard and hooks help you get organized
once and for all. What’s the #1 complaint most
woodworkers have about their shop? You guessed it. They
have a hard time finding the right tool when they need
it most. If your shop could stand a little bit more
order, try building the double-door cabinet shown above
and the single-door unit shown at left. You can clean up
your act in a hurry, which will leave you more time to
do what you really want to do–build stuff. Large cabinet
measures 48 x 48" and small cabinet measures 30 x 48". |
 Sand
paper cabinet
Left in the open, sandpaper will cup due to humidity. To
keep this perennial problem in check and keep our
sandpaper organized and away from dust, we came up with
this multi-purpose cabinet. We’ve made room for sanding
belts, a sandpaper cutter, a mini shelf for your sanding
blocks, a holder for your scrapers, and clips to hold
sanding discs in place. |
