Shop-Made Magnetic Parts Trays for Your Workshop

Every woodworking machine seems to have a few small accessories that are always getting misplaced. Whether it's a wrench, drill bit, or other small part, it's handy to keep those items close to the tool where they're used.

My solution is a set of shop-made magnetic parts trays. They're easy to make from scrap wood and use rare-earth magnets to attach to the metal surfaces of woodworking machines.

Best of all, you can make several at once and place them wherever they're needed around the shop.

A Simple Two-Piece Design

Each tray consists of a recessed wooden bottom and an upright back. The two pieces are glued together, and rare-earth magnets installed in the assembly hold the tray against a steel surface.

The recessed bottom provides a convenient place to store small accessories without having them roll away.

Make Eight Trays at Once

Rather than shaping each tray individually, I came up with a way to make eight tray bottoms from one oversize blank.

A simple template guides a router equipped with a bearing-guided bowl and tray bit. The bit cuts a shallow recess in the blank, creating the tray-shaped pockets.

Once the recesses are routed, the individual tray bottoms can be cut apart.

This batch-building approach saves setup time and makes it easy to produce a matching set of trays.

Add the Backs and Magnets

With the tray bottoms complete, cut the upright backs to size and glue one to each tray.

Then install the rare-earth magnets as shown in the construction drawing.

The magnets let you attach each tray to a suitable steel surface and move it whenever your storage needs change.

WOODSMITH TIP: Choose a Safe Mounting Location. Place magnetic trays where they won't interfere with moving parts, machine controls, guards, or workpieces. Make sure the magnets hold the loaded tray securely, and avoid placing magnets near sensitive electronics.

Keep Small Accessories Close at Hand

These little trays are a simple way to keep frequently used accessories organized and within easy reach.

And because they're removable, you can rearrange them as your workshop changes.

It's a practical storage upgrade that makes good use of a few scraps and a handful of magnets.

More Workshop Organization Ideas

Small accessories are only part of the workshop storage challenge. From adjustable wall racks to mobile tool stands, a few well-designed shop projects can help you keep tools organized and your work surfaces clear.

Explore more shop-made storage ideas and workshop organization tips to make the most of your space.

EXPLORE WORKSHOP STORAGE IDEAS → Simple Storage Solutions for a Better-Organized Shop