Hyperorganize Your Shop

I’ve struggled with the clutter in my small garage shop for years. Recently my neighbor remodeled his garage using a commercial wall-slat system. That gave me an idea for designing my own system. I used 1/4-in. and 3/4-in. plywood to create a hook-and-slat system that organizes all my tools, hardware, shop supplies and hand tools. It’s a flexible system that allows me to make changes easily as my shop evolves. I use the same hook-and-slat system to hang things on a roll-around cart or my bench. I even devised handles that double as hooks so I can hang individual drawers on my bench to put fasteners and hardware right where I’m working. Along the way, I added some pull-out vertical dividers with slats mounted on them.

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A place for everything and everything in its place.

My system puts everything in plain view and right at my fingertips. No more fumbling in drawers or cabinets. When I’m done using a tool, it goes right back on the wall, leaving my benchtop clutterfree and ready for work.

Click any image to view a larger version.

This system can hold a ton––well, almost.

Trust me—this wall system is plenty strong. The slats can hold up an entire cabinet full of tools without causing you worry.

Low hanging boxes keep the benchtop clear.

All the boxes, like these sandpaper organizers, can be taken off the wall and hung on the bench to bring their contents where the work is. The boxes are designed to sit below the benchtop, leaving the top unobstructed.

This story originally appeared in American Woodworker November 2006, issue #125.

November 2006, issue #125

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