In our article you will learn how to make a DIY tool rack. If you are a true master of your craft, then one shelf for storing tools is definitely not enough for you. Do not forget that the issue of storing tools, materials and equipment is often very acute. Everything that can be useful in repairs should always be at hand. And the best way out of this situation is to make a convenient rack.
What is a rack
Before you make a tool rack with your own hands, you need to decide what it is? In fact, these are several shelves on which you can store any items. At the same time, they have the most free and convenient access. Shelving can be:
- Mounted.
- Floor.
You can alsodivide into angular and straight structures. They also differ in size - it all depends on what parameters the room has.
Materials for making
Both metal and wood are used for making. The processing of the finished product is minimal, it is enough to apply a layer of paint so that the material is not damaged during operation. Aesthetic appearance is not the main thing in such a piece of garage interior. Of course, you can get confused and make beautiful and aesthetic shelves from wood and drywall sheets, but is the game worth the candle? You end up with an expensive, non-mobile system that is completely useless in a garage.
Simple rack
In any garage or workshop, at least a simple and inexpensive rack is indispensable. It can store large tools, small ones in containers, various materials. Please note that the rack, regardless of whether it is metal or wooden, it is desirable to fix it on the wall. In the event that it is not possible to screw screws or dowels into the wall, it is better to choose a stand-alone model.
We will consider a simple shelving model with a shelf depth of 40.6 cm. But it should be noted that the total area of the shelves can be limited by doors and other items. When manufacturing, it is necessary to make shelves 40-60 cm deep. In this case, the rack will not take up much space in the room, and most importantly, there is enough space for storing various materials. Can do thiseven an inexperienced person, but you will have to use the step-by-step instructions.
What you need to make
In order to make a tool rack with your own hands, you need to acquire materials and tools. The most important thing is the presence of 50x100 mm pine boards, as well as plywood. The following tools are also needed:
- Roulette.
- Pencil.
- Level.
- Screwdriver, screwdriver.
- Wood screws.
As for the boards, you will need to prepare the following blanks:
- Strips for ends and facade bases of shelves made of pine. In total, you will need six such strips 243.8 cm long.
- Strips for making legs - three pieces. The length of these slats should be the same as the height of the topmost shelf.
- Strips for the manufacture of supports in the amount of 9 pieces. The length of each plank should be 30.5 cm.
- Plywood 40, 6x121, 9 cm for making rack shelves.
Having all these materials, you can start making a tool rack in the garage with your own hands.
Making a simple shelving
And now let's move on to making the structure. You need to perform the following manipulations:
- First, make markings on the wall at the level of the shelves. Check if the layout is horizontal using a level.
- Fix with long screws to the wall of the plank, the length of which is 243.8 cm. They should be fixed at the level at whichshelves will be installed later. The height of the shelves is determined independently, it all depends on what you are going to store.
- You have the three longest planks left, they need to be aligned as accurately as possible with those that are already fixed on the wall. Using two screws or nails each, you need to put on the straps to simply fix the position.
- Take those planks that will subsequently serve as legs - put one in the middle and two at the edges. They need to be connected only with the upper strips with self-tapping screws. Do not use more than 2-3 pieces in one connection. If you plan to store heavy items, then you need to make the distance between the supports at least 70 cm.
- Remove additional fasteners for fixing from the slats. As a result, the front part should turn out to be almost perfect.
- Now you need to prepare pocket holes on nine slats using a special tool.
- Attach planks with pocket holes at right angles to planks horizontally.
- Install the front part of the rack and fasten it with long screws. They must be screwed securely into pocket holes and cross bars.
- Now securely fasten the cut pieces of plywood to the frame.
Finishing is not necessary, but if desired, apply several coats of paint and varnish. This will not only improve the appearance, but also significantly increase the life of the product.
Wheel design
Such a mobile tool rack with its ownIt’s easy to make by hand, with the subtleties we will now try to figure it out. It is ideal for those who do not have the opportunity to fix the entire structure to the wall. It will also be useful to those who need a mobile version of the rack. In order for the design to be as cheap as possible, it is best to use wood as the basis. Pine is ideal - it is easy to work, durable and strong.
What you need to make a mobile structure
In order to make a mobile rack yourself, you need to acquire the following blanks:
- boards with a section of 50x150 mm and a length of 2438 mm - in the amount of 15 pcs;
- boards with a section of 50x100 mm and a length of 2438 mm - 4 pcs;
- elements with a section of 25x50 mm and a length of 1828 mm - 10 pcs;
- boards 25x50 mm and length 2438 mm - 2 pcs;
- one board 50x50 mm;
- dowels;
- metal rods 1708 mm - 4 pcs;
- corner brackets - 4 pcs;
- furniture metal wheels at least 10 cm in diameter - 4 pcs;
- 50 mm screws.
You will also need the following materials:
- sandpaper;
- glue for carpentry;
- putty;
- primer on wood;
- paint or varnish.
You also need a tool to make pocket holes, drill, level, ruler and tape measure, pencil, square, saw, grinder.
Cutting parts
You need before you makedo-it-yourself plywood tool rack, cut the material according to the following list:
- For the shelves you need 15 boards with a section of 50x152 mm and a length of 1645 mm.
- In the amount of 10 pieces, the end elements of the shelves - section 25x50 mm, length 1683 mm.
- Side elements for shelves - section 25x50 mm, length 419 mm. You will also need 10 pieces.
- Side rails - 50x50 mm, length 279 mm. They also need 10 pieces.
- Vertical side posts - 4 boards with a section of 50x100 mm and a length of 1918 mm.
- Steel rods - 4 pieces of 1708 mm each.
Mobile shelf manufacturing procedure
You will need to make five identical shelves, each should consist of 7 elements. The article contains photos of racks for tools. With your own hands, to make a mobile structure, you need to make pocket holes in the planks. Then you need to assemble three strips together with screws and glue, which is applied to the joints. Be sure to remove all excess glue immediately, otherwise it will be problematic to do after drying.
The drawing shows the design of a bookcase. According to it, you can make a similar design for the tool store. The separator can be used to separate one tool from another.
Further manipulations for the manufacture of a mobile rack:
- On the short sides, place planks 41.9 cm long and 25x50 mm in section. For connection you need to use glue and screws. Similarlyyou need to connect the end long strips with the shelves. After that, you can assemble the side racks using planks 1918 mm long and 50x100 mm in section.
- Punch pocket holes on short planks and join with self-tapping screws and wood glue. After you make the connections, you need to choose the most convenient location for the metal restrictive rod. For it, you need to prepare through holes. You need to drill as carefully as possible, away from the edges of the bar. Otherwise, the wood may break.
- Assemble the rack, you need to start by installing the top and bottom shelves. After that, in turn, attach the averages. Use screws and glue to connect. Then you need to install the steel rods in the appropriate places. Fasten with nuts.
- In the place of fastenings with screws, you need to fill the recesses with putty in order to level the surface as much as possible. Using sandpaper or a grinder, remove all remnants of putty, and if there are large imperfections on the surface of the wood, they must also be removed. It is not necessary to make perfectly flat surfaces on the rack. But you need to take into account the fact that the structure will be mobile, therefore, it must be safe to use.
- After that, remove the dust and apply a protective compound to the wood (stain will do). Leave to dry.
- If you wish, you can varnish the structure on wood. This treatment is not necessary, but it can protect the material from moisture, temperature changes, etc. Leave the rack for a while so that the varnish candry.
- On the lower and upper corners of the product, use a drill and screws to put metal pads.
- Gently place the structure on the ground. Screw metal furniture wheels to the bottom (at the corners) with screws.
This guide will allow you to assemble on your own not just a shelving unit, which will be convenient to store materials and tools, but a versatile, multifunctional garage interior item. If you wish, you can make some amendments. And such a rack can be placed in the office, living room, summer kitchen.
Production of a rack shelf
If you regularly use tools, it will be convenient to use an open hanging rack. When working, you do not need to look for the right key or nuts, it will be enough to reach out to get to the right tool. You can find various models - both simple and complex.
If the tool rack (photo shown in the article) is used away from the workshop, you can install doors on it. The result is an aesthetically pleasing design that will serve you for years to come. But now let's look at how to make a rack shelf.
Materials and tools for making shelving rack
In order to make a tool rack with your own hands, you need to acquire the following materials and tools:
- Piano loops - 2 pcs, length 762mm.
- Magnetic latches - 2 pcs
- Plastic containers (they must be the same) - 12 pcs. Each measures approximately 279x127x127 mm.
- Plywood - one piece 200x100x19 mm, the second 200x100x6 mm.
- Perforated panel 200x100x6 mm – 1 pc.
- Pocket hole making machine.
- Screws, self-tapping screws, screws.
- Wood glue.
- Electric drill, screwdriver.
- Cutting and circular saws.
- Roulette, ruler.
- Pencil.
It is also necessary to acquire personal protective equipment - goggles, a respirator, earplugs.
Instructions for making a rack shelf
In order to make a DIY tool rack, you will need to follow a simple instruction:
- First you need to prepare the grooves on all the details of the main part of the structure to accommodate the perforated panel. Also on doors for fastening perforated panels, on vertical elements of the lower compartment (on which dividing partitions are installed). The grooves should be approximately 6 mm deep. After you place the tool blade, you need to check the correct settings on a small piece of wood.
- In order to reduce the chance of damage to the plywood while cutting the grooves, you need to apply tape to the cut.
- Use screws and wood glue to assemble the frame of the structure. In order to avoid the destruction of wood and plywood, you needuse a special device - before connecting, you need to make pocket holes for the screws.
- Now install the bottom shelf using glue and screws.
- After that, through the top, you need to insert the perforated sheet into the grooves, pre-lubricated with wood glue.
- Use the pocket holes to attach the top cover.
- Glue the ends of the partitions of the lower compartment with glue, then you need to put everything in place one by one.
- Assemble three of the four door frame pieces.
- Place the perforated plates in the grooves, grease the joints with wood glue.
- Attach the last element in each of the doors.
- Check if the length of the hinges for attaching the doors to the frame matches. Adjust so that the hinges are about 2-4 cm shorter than the length of the door.
- Step back 1-2 cm from the edge, install the hinges on the screws. Attach the hinges to the shelving body.
Now the simplest thing left is to put the plastic containers in the compartments and hang the rack on the wall. And then you can fill it as you wish.