Introduction: Shop Towels & Rag Storage Dispenser

About: Small Woodworking & Home Decor Business that also does DIY & more.

If you are a woodworker or DIY type of person, then you most likely have scrap wood laying around your shop like me. In this Instructable, I will show you how to make your own storage box to easily store your Cloth Like Rags or similar items up off your bench and in a more convenient location so that they will be easily within reach & make better use of your space!

Supplies

For this project you will need the following items. Links attached for some items used during this project.

Materials:

Scrap wood. I used 3/4" x 1 1/2" pipe boards left over from other builds. & 3/4" x 2"+ boards (Not required)

*Optional wood: 3/4" x 3/4" strips for front of box.

Wood Glue.

Nails.

Tools:

Tape Measure

Saw

Brad Nailer or Hammer


"LINKS to items used in this instructable"

Please Scan the QR Code above to see all our pages, or click HERE ---> www.linktr.ee/HomelandCreationsLLC

Glue Bot https://amzn.to/3tfA3BM

Tape Measure https://amzn.to/3zGDiTV

Cloth Like Rags https://amzn.to/3Gd6Yuz

Titebond Glue https://amzn.to/3Fe2mmq

Brad Nailer https://amzn.to/3Gfs7UQ

Work Bench https://amzn.to/33gZhEW

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Gather all your materials together to begin.

Once you have all the scrap boards you plan to use for this project, lay them out onto your work surface. To figure out the length of each piece, you will want to measure your actual brand of shop towels as these dimensions may vary. For this reason, you can add a 1/4", or 1/2" or more to accommodate different sizes.

*For this particular project, the measurements I chose to use are based off my individual box. (Please refer to your own measurements for this build).

Step 2: Taking Your Measurements

The measurements you will need are as follows.

Height of the box...

Width of the box...

Depth of the box...

Thickness of your scrap wood boards.

The measurements of this box are Height 11", Width 8 3/4" , Depth 8 3/4" (+Add 1/4" to 1/2" for wiggle room).

*Our scrap boards measure 3/4" thick. (This is important to remember for when cutting your back & front cross pieces)

Step 3: Cut List Example

You should now have the following pieces cut.

A) (2) 3/4" x 2" x 9" (Base boards the box will sit on)

B) (4) 3/4" x 1 1/2" x 11 1/4" (Vertical upright boards)

C) (2) 3/4" x 1 1/2" x 9" (Top Boards used for screw mounting to ceiling)

D) (2) 3/4" x 1 1/2" x 10 1/2" (Back Horizontal Strips, *Width of both + thickness of sides 3/4" x (2) = 10.5")

E) Optional: (2) 3/4" x 3/4" x 10 1/2" (Front Horizontal Strips tp finish front & hold box square.)

Step 4: Getting Ready to Assemble

Now that you have your pieces cut and ready, it's time to assemble.

Each step requires the following.

SIDES: (1) A, (2) B, (1) C (PER EACH SIDE)

REAR:(2) D

FRONT: (2) E



Step 5: Assembling the Sides

Start by gluing and nailing the base (part A) onto the 2 side uprights (part B), now finish by attaching the tops (part C) so they are in a flat position just as the bottom (part A). *REPEAT for opposite side.

*This will provide you with anchoring areas to mount once completed & also keep the box of towels from pulling out the bottom.

Step 6: Connecting the Sides

Once the two sides are completed, make sure the overhang of the boards are facing inwards and then attach the (2) back strips (part D) across the bottom & top by using glue and nails.

Step 7: Final Assembly

Once completed you can now insert your box and admire your perfect fitting Rag dispenser!

Step 8: *Optional Extra Step - Strips (front Braces)

If you want extra strength and have extra materials laying around you can now attach (2) (part E) across the front and bottom. It is important to make sure these strips do not overhang the inside of the opening or you will block off the opening so you won't be able to remove and replace your Rags.

Step 9: Finished Product

CONGRATULATIONS! You've done it! You've taken that scrap pile of wood and created something useful for your shop. Feel free to paint, stain, or leave natural. The finish is all up to you. Now you can mount it to a wall by putting screws through the back strips, or ceiling with the top strips!