Build a Peg Board Tool Cart (by Brad Justinen)

Build a $500+ Peg Board Cart for $30-$50.

Peg Board Cart @ Overstock.com

Are your tools completely out of control? Do you need a large organization system on the cheap? Then weld your own peg board tool cart for less than $50 (assuming you have a welder and some scrap metal). If you don't own a welder, go buy one. You can buy welders cheap at Harbor Freight and Sears for around $100-$150. You can also find amazing deals on Craiglist like me. I got my Lincoln Wire-Feed 140HD for $375 cash vs. $540 for the exact same welder at Lowe's, Home Depot, or Sears. Or better yet go buy a nice one with a warranty at one of those stores. It's a good investment and when your done you will know how to weld (kinda).

I purchased my welder about a month ago. In fact, this is my second real attempt at welding anything - so if i can do it, you can too. This welder cart was my first welding project.
MAKE SURE YOU READ UP ON THE DANGERS OF WELDING BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO WELD ANYTHING.

This storage isn't for everyone. For people who need to lock up their tools, it won't work. But in my situation it works great.

Click here to view the cart in HD

1. If someone borrows a tool, or I loose one, I can tell right away and go track it down.

2. I have so many tools, i often forget to use the best one for the job because, quite frankly, I forgot that i owned one. With the pegboard i can make a quick visual scan and find the right tool easily.

3. I can easily roll my entire tool collection (mostly) right up to my car or any other project i'm workin on. No more walking back and forth between my toolboxes and work area (i have a decent sized shop).

4. I can brag to all my friends and fellow toolmongers about my creation.

5. No more searching for hours to find one misplaced tool.

6. I'm pretty broke so it's nice that it was cheap.

7. It takes up minimal floor space.



OK, sorry for the rant, let's build it.

Step 1 Visualize It!

1.
Take a good look, this is what we are going to build!

Comments

[sanernes]

Thanks , this is the mine .

[toolcollector]

Adds to the cost, but Menards sells steel pegboard, It's the best pegboard i've ever used.

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/shelving-storage/utility-shelving-hooks/16-in-x-48-in-heavyweight-diamond-plate-steel-pegboard/p-1656485-c-9752.htm

[coweater]

The hooks I purchased came with little plastic clips to hold them in place. It forces the spacing to be wider, but I was able to work around it by staggering hooks and they never come off when grabbing a tool.

[pfred2]

If you have plain hooks a dab of hot glue holds them to the board well. My back aches every time I see pegboard as all I'm thinking about is picking hooks up off the floor!

[CementTruck]

Bend a stiff wire into a U shape. From the front of the board slide the wire over the hook like a saddle. Push the wire through a pegboard hole and splay the wire outwards on the other side of the board. The wire can be removed if the hook needs to be moved.

[sensoryhouse]

I find it much easier to bend down and pick up a hook every now and then. If i used the cart at work it would probably be a different story.

[pfred2]

A splat of hot glue is pretty easy. Though if you ever want to move hooks it is a little harder. But that is the whole idea so the hooks don't fall out so easily. I can still pull a hot glued in hook out with my hands cold but it takes a little effort. Then I hit the hook with a heat gun to stick it someplace else.

It isn't as big an issue as it sounds because most don't adjust their setups too much after they've been arranged.

Someone ought to invent the rubberized hot glue dipped peg board panel because the hot glue makes the board sort of grippy fleshy and that helps hold hooks in place even if the hooks aren't actually glued to the board.

The panels and hooks by themselves are just too slippery with each other. I know some hooks come with square protrusions on them that are supposed to bite into the round peg hole but that only works so so.

[pfred2]

Sounds complicated.

[kenbob]

Beautifully done instructable. I especially like the simple diagrams showing build steps.

I like the idea of adding a power strip and a cord, could put a retractable cord in the space between the pegboards!

Looks like there is enough room underneath to actually use this as your welding cart - i.e. put the welder on this cart - maybe a stationary grinder also.

well done!

[snotty]

This is a great idea!

I just built mine today. I was going to use steel with the drill and bolt method. But wood was easier and lighter so I used an old pallet for the wooden frame. Also I made some simple screwdriver racks from leftover pallet wood.

[BGreenHVAC]

roll on a smooth surface and you are good. With a narrow base, a small bump could tip it.

Good luck

[nesbear]

any chance you could outline your method? i'm gonna prolly make it in wood too, any advice?

[snotty]

Advice? Sure. Pretty much just follow the directions above. Be careful to keep the legs even. Mine was a bit wobbly so I had to put a shim under one leg. A bit of strapping diagonally between the legs makes the thing stiffer.

And importantly; make sure to place your castor wheels far from the center. Mine swing around and make the structure a bit too tippy because the wheel is almost directly under the centerline.

Hopefully that makes sense.

[Cervantes]

Pretty good, super efficient. I think you could skip the welding, well if a person isn't confident in wielding that much power. 8gage punch angle can be purchased in 8 foot sections and bolted together like a huge erector set. You can get punch angle at almost all hardware stores. I don't think it's officially called punch angle, but you can find it in the welding section of most hardware stores.

[BGreenHVAC]

Good for those who don't have access to welding. Welding would make a more sturdy finished product though. Plus the aesthetic appeal.

[pfred2]

One brand name I am familiar with is Versa Angle. One can always drill holes where needed and bolt as well. I find Versa Angle to be a little on the flimsy side and sort of sloppy looking too. I hardly ever weld projects together anymore. I got too tired of grinding welds apart years later.

[BGreenHVAC]

Good idea. Add a drawer to the bottom for stuff like sandpaper, etc, and I'd use this device a lot.

Thanks for the bright idea.

[OhMike]

Very nice! But will if fix breakfast :-)

[sarawelder]

Although I am a welder I often use the" lazy" quick base of a furniture dolly...they hold very heavy items and already have the castors attached which swivel all ways.. I just fill in the gap at the bottom with a scrap piece of wood or MDF so you have a solid shelf to put things on. I usually buy several when they are on sale at harbor freight ( quite often). Just check the wheels roll well as some are better than others.

[Mr Steve]

add a shelf on the bottom and load it up for ballast

[gemtree]

Ohhh, I gotta have one of these but it will be wood. Can't afford a welder and I bet I have most of this already in wood. Just need the pegboard. This is sexy!!!! :

[Ole-Grizzly]

Just wondering why is that 4th wrench lowered out of line? I kinda did something like that with a 15 mil. wrench. I own a bicycle shop and the 15 mil is used to take wheels on and off.. and therefore is used the most. So i Hung mine raised to easily see it and feel for it if not looking. Why'd you do your wrench like that?

[sharlston]

I also work in a bike shop and id say 15mm along with 8 and 10 must be the most used wrenches ever

[jexter]

Nicely done! This is exactly what I need for a very cluttered garage. I've picked up a couple of old bed frames at yard sales (people practically give them away) to use for various welding projects. They already have rollers attached, so I'll just cut them down to size and the base is ready to go! I'm thinking I'll also to weld a number of hooks on the sides of the frame to hang extension cords, rope, etc. Thanks for the inspiration!

[2 stroke]

i garbage picked a lot of bed frame i have 20 in the trusses of my garage lol

[2 stroke]

i got like like a hunded bed frames now i had to scrap some because my trusses started sagging lol

[cirrostratus]

Very nice.

You definitely need to use more of that space down below, though. Lots of room there for more drawers, shelves, cubbies, or stacked pipes to hold more parts/materials/tools. :)

[npinero1]

I want to get into welding. Can anybody help me out?

[2 stroke]

to start ill get a welder if you have money ( around 100 to 200 bucks) get a flux core or mig welder you can get em cheap at places like sears harbour freight craigslist pawn shops etc ( if your in Canada like me get em from princes auto craigslist flea market pawnshop etc) since im a kid and i am broke and really wanted to weld i got a 70 amp stick welder on sale for 50 bucks its great for what i do

[sensoryhouse]

Nice work dude, I was 24 the first time I welded.

[2 stroke]

thanks man i really cant weld with the 6011 rods i can weld really good with 6013 and 7014 5/64 rods i think 6011 is out to get me lol is wire feed welding hard i am going to ox acetylene kit from harbor freights website next summer saving up for it

[crreed]

I recently constructed one of these using only wood.  I will post pictures shortly for anyone interested...(I dont know how to weld) 

[crreed]

 

[pjryan]

creed4545 - I really like your version. I work in wood, not metal, so the soldering is beyond me right now. Have you thought of inserting a few shelves inside to hold off-cuts of lumber, worklight stands, etc. ?
Can you share your instructions?
PJ Ryan

[crreed]

Well, I actually considering putting shelves on but I didnt have the time.  I t def sounds like a good idea though.  As for the instructions,i just made two 4'x5' 2x4 squares, and added an additional cross beam at the 1 foot mark from the bottom, then attached 18" supports to join the two squares.  The rest is pretty much xactly the same as the original verison 

[sensoryhouse]

Nice design! How has it been working for you? I use mine every single day. Got any photos of it full?

[dodgedartgt]

BJ, have you been in my garage and tool boxes? ;-) I can see all the tools I can't find or didn't know I had hanging right there on your cart! Looks great! Even in a 2 car garage, wall mounted peg board doesn't do it for me. I do have several mobile boxes, but having a visual is truly a blessing. Thnx, Mike

[Logan Cade]

 this is a sweet rack.  i wonder if a clothes rack could be modified to make this, making it adjustable and packable.

[phip]

The HarborFreight welder link is no good any more. What kind is it?

[mlucas719]

is that top heavy? looks like it cold just fall over easily if you are moving it and a wheel hits a shard of wood or something and suddenly stops