Compact Pegboard Tool Case

Several years ago (16) I moved into a new house and had a young child.  My problem: how to store all of my tools in a limited space in a way that is safe from children.

I built this pegboard tool case which can be closed and locked that gives me about 32 x 4 feet of tool storage space while taking up as little as 11 feet of wall space.

Step 1 Tools and Materials

Tools:
  Saw for cutting 2x6 lumber, 1x2 strips, and pegboard.
  Screw driver (or drill driver with screw bit recommended!)
  Drill and drill bit (for drilling pilot holes)
  Square

Wood:
  11   2x6 8 feet long
  12 1x2 firing strips, 8 feet long
  4   4x8 3/8th inch pegboard
  1   1/4 inch plywood (good on one side is fine)

Metal:
  2   1/8 inch x 1.25 inch wide x 3 feet long steel bar (for hanging the case
  2   5 1/2 inch angle bracket
  8   5 1/2 inch hinge
  ~100  1 inch long deck screws
  ~50  1 1/4 inch lag screws  (I call these the short lag screws)
  ~50  3 inch long lag screws (I call these the long lag screws)

Other Materials:
  1 bottle of wood glue

You may be tempted to use 1/4 pegboard but I find the 3/8th inch or better is stronger and can take the span I've indicated here without warping.

Comments

[mefromliny]

Great job. Thanks for doing such a great job of taking pics. Mine is about halfway through and it's looking good. I did use piano hinges, because I had some sitting around, and they are holding out very well. Thanks again. Ken

[maewert]

Sounds great!  I'm glad the piano hinges are working out. 

Be sure to post a few pictures when you're finished!

Mark

[greggspen]

This is a great idea, just the thing for a workshop with limited space. It could also be put on a wheeled frame for bringing tools close to a job. I think piano hinges might be a tidier option for the doors but I don't know how they would handle the weight. Supercool A+++

[maewert]

Thanks for your kind words.

I'm not sure about the idea to add wheels.  It would be great if it would work because as you can see most of my tools are actually missing as they are on a job site!  I fear that in order to keep it from falling over the base of the wheels would have to be 8 feet.  When the doors are open, there is a *significant* moment arm trying to pull the thing off the wall.

I did think about piano hinges but the one ones I could find looked way too flimsy.  For the hinges I used I actually secured them using bolts (which I did not mention but I'll update that step!) as I thought nails or screws would pull out due to the weight.

Best Wishes.

[Presman]

Great Cabinet You were able to solidify some design for as I am thinking of putting in something like that. Was wondering how well a multi-hinge would work The boards you are using look more like a 1X4 rather than a 2X6. It may be just a frame of reference the picture shows. Can you verify the size?

[maewert]

Yes, they are 2x6's.  Rather difficult to get a good picture as the thing is BIG and my space, not so much.

The multi-hinge works ok.  By holding the front frame you can move the center frame in either direction by pushing or pulling toward or away from the hinge.  In my design I have no mechanism for holding the frames into position.  A friction brake would be nice to keep them into position.

Best Wishes :-)