A Tool Solution For Small Spaces

[cabinetman]

There is all kinds of ways of storing tools with limited wall space. There is pegboard with hooks, slatwall, wood strips with slots or holes, shelves, drawers, and the old bench top. Here are just two examples of some creative craftsmanship. These are two of my favorites from The Toolbox Book. Thought they might give you some ideas.

This is a wall mount tool cabinet done by H.O. Studley (how's that for a cool name).
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This one is a free standing cabinet done by Andy Rae:
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[pelligrini]

Cool stuff, might have to pick up that book.

I thought that top one was a portable chest.

[cabinetman]

Cool stuff, might have to pick up that book.

I thought that top one was a portable chest.

I guess it is if it has to be, but I'd hate to have to carry it.
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[dbhost]

I believe the Studley tool chest is portable. At least from the articles I have seen on it. It looks fantastic, but I would not want to own it. My fat fingers would have a heck of a time grasping anything from there.

Andy Rae's upright cabinet certainly appears to be far more functional. Especially the coffee cup shelf.

[Shep]

Looks like my tools....sigh

[thrytis]

Every tool cabinet needs a dedicated coffee cup holder.

[crokett]

The Studley chest is 'portable' indeed, but packed full of tools it weighs in the neighborhood of 300 lbs IIRC. He was a piano maker and built the chest over the years at his work place. It is inlaid with ebony, ivory and other exotic wood scraps from his work.

[cabinetman]

Cool stuff, might have to pick up that book.

It's one of the best idea books that I've seen in a long time. There's exceptional workmanship throughout the book. Lotsa pictures and well drawn project plans.
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[Mr__Bill]

The tool boxes are a great example of the workman's craftsmanship and his pride in both tools and workmanship. What I find more interesting are the tools in H.O. Studley's tool box. I can't help but wonder, will it be as impressive a hundred years from now when someone shows off a toolbox with routers and skilsaws in it and a bunch of hand tools from Harbor Freight? OK so my toolbox won't be impressive perhaps yours will be.



Bill

[os1kne]

Very cool stuff! I saw a write up in a magazine not long ago about a man that made a wooden briefcase-style tool box for carrying his hand tools to/from a woodworking school. It was impressive.

I wish I was skilled enough to do that, but I know that I'd end up getting something that wouldn't fit, or breaking/losing a tool that did fit about a week after it was done.

[cabinetman]

The tool boxes are a great example of the workman's craftsmanship and his pride in both tools and workmanship. What I find more interesting are the tools in H.O. Studley's tool box. I can't help but wonder, will it be as impressive a hundred years from now when someone shows off a toolbox with routers and skilsaws in it and a bunch of hand tools from Harbor Freight? OK so my toolbox won't be impressive perhaps yours will be.

Bill

Bill - you forgot the slots and drawers for CD's, DVD's and documentation for CNC stuff, CAD manuals, and special drawers for those mail order plans.
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[pelligrini]

It's one of the best idea books that I've seen in a long time. There's exceptional workmanship throughout the book. Lotsa pictures and well drawn project plans.
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I just ordered it for $16 something from amazon.

[jussi]

That first one reminds me of one shown on NYW. I think Norm said it belonged to a piano maker and was the most expensive tool box in the world. From the craftsmanship I could totally believe it.

[eccentrictinkerer]

Fine Woodworking has the photo in wallpaper size..



FW offered a large poster years ago that I bought at the Smithsonian gift shop. I gave the poster to a customer friend thinking I could just order another one. I found out it was discontinued years ago.

BTW, in person, it is absolutely awesome, although smaller than the photo would indicate (39" high x 40" wide when opened. I believe it was sold some years ago to a collector.

Here's the FW article...

http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:...&ct=clnk&gl=us

It is portable, but it take two strong guys to lift it.

[chopnhack]

I am always impressed by the Studley tool chest. Thanks for the recommendation C-man... I am checking it out from the library.