Get a handle on difficult-to-store small items in your shop with these easy-to-build storage solutions.
It doesn’t take long to acquire quite a few router bits. And as you do, it becomes difficult to store them in a way that protects the cutting edges. To solve this problem, I built this modular system to organize all my router bits neatly in a drawer. The system is nothing more than several 2"-square hardwood blocks that hold the bits. Just drill a single center shank hole in each block to hold larger bits or make a number of holes for smaller bits. You can even mount a dowel in the block to hold an extra router collet.
Small C-clamps are handy for many shop tasks. And I have a drawer full of them. The trouble is keeping them organized so I can find the right size quickly. An easy way to store them without taking up a lot of space is this pullout rack. The rack is simply a U-shaped frame that holds an angled bar for the clamps to rest upon. It’s mounted to the underside of the workbench with a pair of L-shaped brackets. The brackets are positioned to act as a stop, keeping the end cap flush with the front of your workbench.
I use my drill press for a lot more than drilling holes. To keep the various accessories in one place, I made a storage rack. The rack is simply a piece of plywood that’s beveled at 45° along both edges. Triangular-shaped legs attached to the back add stability and allow the rack to sit on a shelf. Holes and dowels added to the face of the rack keep all my sanding attachments, chuck keys, and other accessories in plain sight and readily available whenever I need them.
Drilling holes for woodscrews usually requires the use of a couple of different-sized bits. I use a smaller bit for the pilot hole. And then I use another size of bit with a countersink for the shank hole. The trouble is trying to remember which bit goes with which screw. To solve this problem, I built this countersink caddy. The caddy is portable and has several holes for storing different sized bits with countersinks (#6, #8, #10, and #12), corresponding pilot bits, and an Allen wrench. I drilled an additional row of countersunk holes along the front. Then I ripped away the front edge so I could tell at a glance which bit to use for each screw size.
I have several metal rules I use regularly around the shop. But it seems I can never find one when I need it. So I built this rack to store the rules and keep them accessible. The holder is just a few wood blocks with a series of kerfs cut at an angle to hold the rules. The thickness of the block and depth of the kerfs can be varied to allow rules of different widths to be stored. To mount the blocks, all you need to do is screw them to the wall with the kerfs facing up to keep the rules from falling out.
