Sunday, March 22, 2009

More storage boxes

I decided it was time for all the wood piling up in my shed to become part of the solution instead of part of the problem. I have deep base cabinets but if you put much in them it becomes impossible to get to the things in the back or on the bottom. So I started making boxes that let me fully utilize the space, I built 3 sometime last year and today I made 5 more. They aren't pretty but they are functional, I made them with whatever was lying around plywood, OSB and T-111 and 2 by material ripped down to 1.5" square. The boxes are held together with 1-3/8" long narrow crown staples and Tightbond 2 wood glue.


Here's what today's tool explosion looked like.


Here they are all stacked up awaiting the holes/ handles.


1" spade bit makes the end points for the handles.


Jigsaw connects the holes to complete the handles. This is the cheapest jigsaw known to man (well besides the harbor freight stuff), I bought it many years ago before I became a tool snob. Can't wait for an excuse to get a real jigsaw (1-1/8" stroke with orbital action) but it just keeps working. Actually I'll probably just get the Makita 18 volt LXT jigsaw when the price comes down.


Here they are in their new home.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Tool blog - website

http://toolmonger.com

One of my favorite new (to me) websites, I knew there was a word for people like me...toolmonger.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Small parts storage

This is my favorite method of storing and sorting small parts. These are sold in the fishing department at most stores.

Some of my favorite tools

Without any one of these collections life would be MUCH more diffficult in the shop.


Ummmm...vise grips.


Taps and dies, made in china but they usually get the job done.



Hammers, can't do any thing without a BFH.

A few of my storage solutions

A tool and junk hoarder can never have enough space so you have to use it wisely. Here are some of the ways I try to keep the mess under control. The shop is in the middle of a re-organization but some of it is still intact.


Hang stuff up to get it out of the way.


Shelves over each end of the building for seldom used stuff. Shelves between the studs make great spray paint storage space, this is one of the areas in disarray right now.


Lots of cabinet space is both good and bad...nice to have the storage and counter space but they also take up a lot of space.


This is the "router" cabinet, there's another router mounted on my table saw full time as well.



Shop made bins to fully utilize under cabinet space, I still have to make a few more, that's the "plumbing" bin half way out.

Some of my bike parts

I collect unloved bikes for future reincarnation as recumbents or other unconventional machines made from bicycle parts. Here are a few pictures I took today since I had the camera out.

One of those adult 3 wheeler step-through trikes.


A couple of classics.


Frames and frame parts.


A few wheels.


Wheel hangers made from, what else, bicycle spokes.

Future sheet metal project

The first project for my new sheet metal brake will be to make about 23 more small drawers like this one.


Here is the cabinet the drawers fit, I bought it from a surplus/ junk place.