Router Storage Stand: A Simple DIY Organizer for Your Workbench
If you use a handheld router regularly, you know how awkward it can be to find a convenient place to set it down between cuts. With a bit extending below the base, you can't always place the router flat on your workbench without the bit contacting the surface.
And then there's the challenge of keeping track of router bits, wrenches, collets, and all the other accessories that go along with the tool.
That's why I like this shop-made router storage stand. It provides a dedicated place to park the router while keeping frequently used bits and accessories organized and close at hand.
Best of all, the stand is a straightforward plywood project that doesn't take much material or complicated joinery.
A Dedicated Resting Spot for Your Router
The main feature of this stand is the U-shaped opening in the top.
The opening is designed to accommodate the router base while leaving clearance beneath the router bit. This lets you set the tool in a designated location without the bit contacting the workbench.
It's a particularly convenient feature when you're making a series of routing operations and need a place to put the tool between cuts.
The stand also keeps the router upright and within easy reach, rather than leaving it lying on its side or taking up valuable bench space.
Shop Safety: Always switch off the router and wait for the bit to stop spinning before placing it in the stand. The opening provides clearance for the bit, but the stand isn't intended to hold a running router.
Build the Stand from Baltic Birch Plywood
The basic structure is made from ½"-thick Baltic birch plywood.
I like Baltic birch for shop accessories because it's stable, strong, and works well with simple plywood joinery.
The base and top are cut to size, with rabbets along their edges to receive the surrounding case pieces.
The top also gets the U-shaped opening that supports the router.
Assemble the Case with Rabbets and Dadoes
The back, sides, and vertical dividers form a sturdy box that supports the top.
A pair of dadoes, spaced evenly from the edges, locates the vertical dividers. These dividers help organize the interior and establish the storage spaces for the tray and drawer.
Once the rabbets and dadoes are cut, the plywood pieces can be glued together to form the case.
It's simple construction that makes this a manageable project for an afternoon in the shop.
Add a Built-In Router Bit Storage Tray
One of my favorite details is the built-in router bit tray.
The tray fits into a dado running across the front and back panels, creating a convenient storage spot for the router bits I use most often.
Instead of searching through a drawer or bit case every time I need to change a profile, I can keep commonly used bits right alongside the router.
It's a small addition that makes the stand much more useful.
Keep Router Accessories in a Handy Drawer
Below the bit tray is a compact accessory drawer.
The drawer is assembled using simple rabbet joinery and fits inside the stand.
It's a convenient place to store the smaller items that go along with the router, including:
- Router wrenches
- Spare collets
- Setup accessories
- Other small router-related parts
Keeping these items together means they're less likely to disappear into a crowded workbench drawer.
And since the drawer is built directly into the stand, everything stays with the tool.
A Compact Router Organizer for Any Workshop
One of the advantages of this design is that it combines several useful features in a single, compact project.
The top provides a dedicated resting spot for the router. The tray keeps frequently used bits organized. And the drawer offers storage for the small accessories that are easy to misplace.
It's especially useful in a smaller workshop where every inch of workbench and drawer space counts.
Build a Better Home for Your Router
Sometimes the most useful shop projects are the ones that solve everyday frustrations.
This DIY router storage stand is a good example. It doesn't require expensive hardware or complicated construction, but it makes storing and using a handheld router much more convenient.
With a few pieces of plywood and some basic joinery, you can give your router a dedicated home while keeping its bits and accessories organized and ready for your next project.
More Router Tips & Jigs
A router is one of the most versatile tools in the woodworking shop, and a few simple accessories can make it even more useful.
Explore our collection of router tips, jigs, and shop-made accessories for practical ideas that improve accuracy, simplify setups, and help you tackle more woodworking tasks with confidence.
EXPLORE MORE ROUTER TIPS & JIGS → Get More from Your Router
