2 Woodworking Shop Storage Projects: Tool Tote & Wall Rack
A well-organized woodworking shop makes every project more enjoyable. When your tools have a dedicated place, you spend less time searching for what you need and more time building. And you don't need an elaborate cabinet or an entire shop makeover to make a difference.
These two woodworking shop storage projects offer practical ways to organize your favorite tools. One is a portable wooden tool tote that keeps essential tools ready to go. The other is a wall-mounted tool rack that puts frequently used hand tools within easy reach of your workbench.
In this episode of the Woodsmith Shop, Logan and Phil build both projects and share useful woodworking techniques along the way.
Build a Portable Wooden Tool Tote
Whether you're moving between workstations or taking a few tools along to help a friend, a portable tool tote makes it easy to keep everything together.
Logan's tool tote combines traditional woodworking joinery with several clever storage features. The open center compartment provides room for frequently used tools, while smaller compartments and a built-in drawer help organize accessories and supplies.
The design features curved sides, a comfortable carrying handle, and box-joint construction that adds both strength and visual appeal.
Smart Storage in a Compact Design
There's more to this tool tote than meets the eye. In addition to the main storage compartment, the design includes a small drawer for keeping frequently misplaced items like drill bits, measuring tools, and other accessories close at hand.
A false bottom creates an additional storage compartment above the drawer. You can also customize the interior with tool holders that keep screwdrivers, pliers, and other hand tools upright and easy to grab.
For this build, Logan uses white oak, taking advantage of the grain patterns and natural color variations to create an attractive, durable shop accessory.
Woodworking Techniques You'll Learn
Building the tote provides an opportunity to practice several useful woodworking skills, including resawing lumber, cutting box joints, routing stopped grooves, and shaping curved parts.
Logan also demonstrates how to make the handle, fit the drawer, and assemble the case with hide glue.
These techniques are useful well beyond this project and can be applied to boxes, cabinets, drawers, and other shop accessories.
GET THE STEP-BY-STEP WOODWORKING PLANS — Build a Handy Tool Tote
Build a Wall-Mounted Tool Rack for Your Workbench
If your workbench is constantly covered with chisels, screwdrivers, squares, and other hand tools, a wall-mounted organizer can make a big difference.
Phil's tool rack takes advantage of the space above the workbench, keeping tools visible and within easy reach without using valuable bench space.
The design combines open shelves with specialized tool holders, making it easy to customize the storage arrangement for the tools you use most often.
Custom Storage for Your Favorite Hand Tools
One of the most useful features is a slotted tool holder that accommodates a variety of hand tools.
Rather than relying on individual holes for every tool, the holder uses a continuous opening that provides flexible storage for chisels, files, rasps, squares, and other tools.
Additional holes and slots in the shelves provide storage for screwdrivers, awls, and longer tools. There's even an opening for routing a charging cord, allowing the rack to accommodate cordless tool accessories.
The open design makes it easy to see where everything belongs and quickly return tools when you're finished using them.
Simple Construction with Useful Joinery
Phil builds his version primarily from Baltic birch plywood, incorporating clean profiles and contrasting wood details.
Along the way, he demonstrates several practical techniques for working with plywood and making accurate joinery.
You'll see how to score plywood veneer before routing to prevent chip-out, cut stopped dadoes and rabbets at the router table, and use a plunge router to create clean holes and slots.
The shelves and end panels fit together with concealed joinery, creating a sturdy assembly that's well-suited to everyday shop use.
GET THE STEP-BY-STEP WOODWORKING PLANS — Build a Wall-Mounted Tool Rack
Customize Your Woodworking Shop Storage
One of the advantages of building your own shop storage is the ability to tailor each project to your tools and the way you work.
The tool tote can be fitted with dividers and holders for the tools you regularly carry around the shop. The wall-mounted rack can be customized with additional holes, slots, or shelves to accommodate your favorite hand tools.
You can also change the materials and finish to match your shop. A combination of hardwood and plywood provides plenty of options for creating durable, attractive storage without making the projects unnecessarily complicated.
Both projects demonstrate that shop storage can be functional without sacrificing good design or craftsmanship.
Get Organized with Weekend Woodworking Projects
You don't have to build an entire wall of cabinets to improve your woodworking shop organization. Sometimes, a couple of well-designed storage projects are all it takes.
Whether you choose the portable tool tote, the wall-mounted tool rack, or something else, you'll end up with useful shop accessories and gain valuable woodworking experience along the way.
EXPLORE MORE WOODWORKING SHOP STORAGE PLANS - Get Organized in the Workshop
