Popular Woodworking 2002-08 № 129, страница 60
On the other hand, if you're storing smaller items (door hinges, glue, seldom-used jigs) a door cabinet can be a great place to lose these items. Items seem to migrate to the back of the cabinet; and until you're down on your knees peering into the hole, you won't find them. While drawers can get pretty junky if you're not careful, you'll at least be able to stand up and stare down into the drawer looking for your lost metric tape measure. Beyond doors or drawers, you have two general choices in cabinets - buy 'em or make 'em. If you make your own cabinetry, you will almost certainly get exactly what you need for the best space utilization. You'll also likely save some money, but it'll take a fair amount of time. Buying shop-grade cabinets from a home center can work out well. There are any number of utility cabinets available in all shapes, sizes and finishes. One other option is plastic or metal storage units, such as the Tool Dock cabinets shown below, designed specifically for a workshop. These units offer features that are set up to maximize tool use and convenience. Beyond cabinets, open shelves are good for storage, but they're a bit of a trade-off. While you can easily see what you're looking for, so can everyone else - whether it's attractive or not. Wire-frame shelving is not a good choice for storing small pieces. And knowing the weight limit of the shelves will keep you from picking up all of your wood screws from the shop floor when the shelf collapses. Also, while you may view deeper shelves as being capable of storing more, (which they are) recognize that smaller items on the shelf can get pushed to the back and get lost. Where'd I Put That Hammer? Certain hand tools (hammers screwdrivers, chisels and hand saws) are always being reached for - frequently when only one hand is free. For that reason these and other hand tools are usually stored hanging within easy reach on the wall. There are all sorts of ways to hang hand tools on a wall. Some woodworkers build special cabinets for their hand tools. The more common solution is peg-board. It's inexpensive, versatile and easy to mount. With a variety of hooks to choose from, you can make pegboard storage adapt to almost anything. And peg-board doesn't have to be dark brown. More frequently it's being offered in colored plastic, or you can simply paint your own. But pegboard isn't the only simple option for hanging tools. You've likely seen "slat wall" in department stores holding up socks and ties. This material is essentially a 3/4" board with T-shaped grooves cut in it and a colored plastic laminate on top. It provides much of the versatility and convenience of pegboard, but looks nicer doing it. It'll cost a little more, but it's your choice. Then there are the workshop experts who mount things right to the wall. By using drywall mollys (or covering your walls with painted particleboard) and a variety of hanging storage accessories available in any home-center A good workbench is one item you should build into your plans from the start.We've put the bench in this shop so it's central to all the activity. It's just a short step away from the saw and planer, and only a few feet away from all the hand tools and other benchtop tools.And with it isolated in the center of the room, all four sides of the workbench can be used.You can order complete plans for this bench (which costs just $175 to build) from our web site at www.popularwoodworking.com. The plans are $9.95. 59 |
