Shop/Power Tool Organizer

This is a pix from Amazon of a nice stand, but I'm always interested in improvement and building on a good idea.


Ok, first of all, I only have four items that would fit in the slots. But I have five batteries and a couple of chargers. So for me, I'd make several modifications.

Drawers to keep my drill bits organized and together. That means ALL of them, including those that are also used on the drill press. So a couple of shallow drawers, at least 3. All with separations for the different kinds and sizes of bits. I'd need a special one for the set of very long aircraft bits I find useful once in awhile.

I would also want a power outlet on top so there was only one cable going to the wall. I'd consider a second bottom layer to keep the jig saw handy, and space for its blades.

I don't think i'd litter it with tools on top, but put the chargers up there. I'd probably make it out of BB ply. Oh yeah, another thought, I got a dial on/off timer for my irrigation. I think something similar would be a good idea so I could limit charging time. I don't think you're supposed to cook LI batteries for days at a time.

Any other ideas about what YOU'D do?

I just made mine to fit the tools I had. I knew they wouldn't be replaced except with the same model. I was tired of taking wall space and compressed it..

I think it's a good idea to have a few extra drawers for various bit sets that you have, which I'm thinking will include a set of Brad point bits, twist bits, spade bits, possibly auger bits, Forster bits, vix bits, countersinking bits / pilot bits plus a set or two of driver bits for Philips screws, straight screws, square screws and the like. It would be handy to have this organizer somewhere relatively close to the drill press since many of the bits would be used there from time to time. It would also be helpful to have an additional removable drawer in or attached to the side of the organizer -- perhaps with a magnetic strip or two inside -- that could be used to load up the bits that you are going to be using with a hand drill at some other location in your shop or home so you didn't have to run back and forth between the organizer / storage area and the work project. You could just load the bits that you need for the specific project in the additional drawer and take it to the worksite. Or you might have some kind of a removable container or drawer that you hang on the side of the organizer on a French cleat or attach with a magnet. The top of the organizer would be a good place for the extra batteries and the charger(s), so long as it wasn't so high that it was tough to exit access if you had to lean over a workbench to get to it. I think chargers and batteries on top is plenty, if it's open storage for miscellaneous tools, once it starts, it just keeps attracting additional stuff that you can't find when you're looking for it later.

I wanted an organizer and winged it . My first attempt consisted of using my dado stack on my table saw to make several slots in the bottom and top section in order to give me different options to move the dividers incase I ever wanted to change their widths .
It looked less than good, so I had to come up with a better mouse trap, and came up with the idea of air-nailing pieces of mdf between the dividers .
By doing it this way , if I want to make any future changes , I just have to pry the existing 1/2” mdf out between the dividers and cut new ones.

While I was at it, I started thinking of storage . Since joining here my drawer making ability has vastly improved , as at one time I was very intimidated at the thought of making drawers .
They have come in very handy, as I keep several air nails and screw diver bits in them