Bandsaw Blade Storage Box

Intro: Bandsaw Blade Storage Box

I love my band saw--it's my favorite workshop tool.

Over the years I've collected a handful of blades for it, but I've never had a decent place to store them. They've always just hung on nails on the wall.

So I built this simple box of shelves to store my band saw blades a little more tidily.

The construction method is straight-forward, and could be applied to make any size or shape of storage box you need, to hold all sorts of things.

If you are ever in need of something similar, perhaps you'll find this guide useful.

STEP 1: Materials

For this storage box I used 1/2" plywood and 1/4" MDF.

I have an 18" saw that takes 133" blades, which coil into 3 loops that measure just about 15" across. So for my shelves I went with a width and depth of 16".

The shelves are held in place by pairs of support pieces that are fastened to the side walls of the box. These support pieces create pseudo-dadoes that are perfectly sized to match the shelf boards, all done without any of the fuss of actually laying out or cutting any dadoes. It's really slick!

See photo for dimensions that I used.

All of the pieces shown were cut out on my table saw (with several cuts made using a large homemade table saw sled).

STEP 2: Fasten Sides to Bottom

I began by fastening the side boards to the bottom board using wood glue and 1" brads, making sure all edges were lined up nicely, flush and square.

STEP 3: Add First Pair of Shelf Supports

Using glue and 5/8" brads I added the first pair of shelf supports, one to the bottom edge of each side wall. The first shelf was then placed into position.

I went light on the glue on the shelf support pieces, so there would be no "squeeze-out" that would get on the shelves. I wanted them to be removable both for ease in finishing the case, but also to allow for flexibility in my future storage needs.

STEP 4: Continue Adding Supports and Shelves

Continue in the same manner gluing and nailing down pairs of matching shelf supports followed by shelves.

If you measured correctly, the final supports will provide just enough room to add the top piece of the case (photo 4).

STEP 5: Remove Shelves

The shelves can now be removed by simply sliding them out.

STEP 6: Add Back Panel

A back panel was cut as needed and screwed in place. This strengthens as well as squares up the case.

STEP 7: Finish Case

To finish the case I filled the nail holes on the outside with wood filler, and once dry, sanded them smooth.

The interior and front side edges were then sprayed with a few coats of lacquer, sanding lightly in between coats with 220 grit sandpaper.

I placed the case open-side-down onto a log and coated the outsides with a couple coats of spray primer, sanding lightly after each coat. I then sprayed it with three light coats of candyapple red spray paint. Nothing wrong with a little lively color in the workshop!

STEP 8: Add Feet

Non-skid foot pads were then screwed in place to the bottom.

STEP 9: Reinstall Shelves

The shelves were then slid back into place.

STEP 10: All Done!

This was a pretty quick project that only took a few hours.

Thanks for taking a look, I hope you found this helpful!

Comments

[BeachsideHank]

This method is also a better way to store circular saw blades rather than an "envelope box", it keeps them safer and easier to bring each right to the sawtable for changing.

[seamster]

Yes indeed.

Although they aren't showing in the photos here, I also keep my extra table saw blades and dado set in the top two slots.

[MarkSindone]

Such a simple idea but it definitely serves its purpose well. Not only do the blades get stowed away tidily, but they also get concealed from playful hands of children or even adults, promoting safety and preventing accidents that could get fatal. I also think that it becomes much easier to retrieve the blades especially if you were to label the individual compartments according to their sizes and such.

[nava1uni]

I like the fabrication method. It would also make a great sand paper holder if done in a smaller size.

[-BALES-]

This is a great fabrication method for when you don't want to cut all the dadoes in the sides .. who needs all that math I say?!

I used this method to make a storage rack with dollar store baking pans for all my small hardware (washers, bolts, nuts, etc). Much easier to find stuff that dumping our a jar every time. I got the idea from Pocket83 on youtube.

I dig the red with the exposed plywood on the front too .. looks cool.

[seamster]

Thanks man!

If you can manage to eliminate math from any equation, it makes life easier.

[kooth]

Very nice! Great write-up, great design! Thanks for sharing!

[WhitskyU]

Nice

this is good!

[toolfixr]

I think I would make a small cutout in the front edge of the shelves to make an easier removal of the blades.

[makendo]

Really nice. I would love to own a bandsaw (second on my list after drill press) and am sorely tempted to build Mathias Wandel's. Have kept my eye out for a cheap motor but no luck so far.

[seamster]

I love Mathias's band saw! That guy is amazing.

I picked up my band saw used for a pretty good deal. Actually, almost all of my bigger tools I got used . . . I highly recommend fleshing out your shop that way. (Used, but not vintage. If you go too far back, tool prices starts to go back up. It's crazy!)

[Mindmapper1]

This is great, however would suggest to stop blades uncoiling as you remove them that they are always tied with a zip tie, bag tie or wire to prevent uncoiling!

[seamster]

That's a good tip, thank you.

[ViniciusO]

Few years a go, i mount a shelve like this. But to store the blades i used pizza boxes. the blades stay free of dust.

[mikeasaurus]

The bandsaw is also my favourite tool and that's a clean looking design for those blades - love it.

Do you uncoil the blades by tossing them onto the shop floor? They make the most satisfying sound, and the potential of danger is so exciting!

[seamster]

Ha, no!

I unfold them by hand. Maybe if I was opening blades that I didn't pay for, I'd try that toss-on-the-floor method, as it sounds kinda fun!

[tomatoskins]

That's amazing! I love the red and those feet are my favorite things to use on a lot of my projects!