Introduction: Drill Storage and Charging Station
This is one of those projects that I wish I had completed a long time ago. My workbench has been a place that collects most all of my tools on it's flat top surface making it a complete mess. So I finally decided to do something about it. Taking inspiration from others who have similar designs I sat down at the computer and drew out my own design on Sketchup. If you are interested I have these plans available for free on my website.
Once my design was complete I purchased a new sheet of 3/4" plywood and spent a couple of hours in the shop building it. Anyone not filming their build can build this a lot quicker!
Supplies
3/4" plywood
1/2" plywood
WEN 6510T 3.5 Amp Oscillating Spindle Sander (optional)
Metabo HPT Brad Nailer (optional)
Hitachi 24102T 1-Inch x 18-Gauge Electro-Galvanized Brad Nails (optional)
5in Sanding Discs, 100PCS 60 80 120 150 220 Grit Sandpaper Assortment
Table saw (optional)
Circular saw if no table saw
Band saw or coping saw
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Step 1: Cut Down All the Pieces.
Following my plans that I had printed out and were off to the side I started cutting down all the pieces. The table saw makes quick work of this but a circular saw will do just fine as well.
For all of the bottom support pieces I stacked them on top of each other and made two passes using my cross cut sled on my table saw. Using my hold down clamps ( check out my other Instructable post ) made this safer as I didn't have to hold the small pieces close to the blade.
Step 2: Cut Angles in the Support Pieces.
Setting my table saw to 45 degree I made cuts along the long side of the bottom supports. One on each side of the two middle pieces and only one cut on one side of the side support pieces.
Step 3: Round Off the Top Corners.
Just to make it look a bit nicer and to remove a sharp corner, I decided to round off the top corner on the two side panels. Using the only round shape I could find at the moment I drew an arc across the corner. I then went over to my band saw and cut along the line. A jig saw or a coping saw will also complete this task just fine.
And finally using my spindle sander I smoothed off the edges. Sandpaper with a sanding block will work here as well.
Step 4: Assembly Part 1.
With the side pieces up side down I started by applying wood glue to the bottom edge. Then taking one of the bottom supports ( the one with only one 45 degree cut ), I placed it on the edge ensuring that all edges lined up. Using 1" long brad nails I nailed that piece into place. Using this method saves time as you do not have to use clamps and wait for the glue to dry.
Then I just repeated the process for the other side.
Step 5: Assembly Part 2.
Taking the two inner vertical support pieces I stood them up on edge and applied wood glue on those edges. I then took the two bottom support pieces and flipped them up side down and placed them on top of the first two vertical supports. Taking care to make sure that everything was centered, I then nailed them in place with inch long nails.
Step 6: Assembly Part 3.
At this point I lined up the two side pieces and the two inner supports up on my work bench. After applying glue to the top of the inner supports and setting the bottom shelf in place, I took a spacer block that I had cut to 1 5/8" and used it to get the spacing from the side panels just right. Once that spacing was set, I nailed through the top of the bottom shelf into the inner supports.
Step 7: Assemply Part 4.
First by marking out a line along the side panels where the bottom shelf meets the side panel I was able to apply glue just below that line. After applying glue to both side panels I nailed them into place.
Step 8: Assembly Part 5.
By first applying glue to the edges of the upper shelf and using spacer blocks cut to 3", I set the shelf in place and nailed it to the side panels.
Step 9: Assemly Part 6.
One of the only pieces I didn't cut from the start was the back panel. For something like this back panel being placed where it is, I like to take referential measurements of the actual piece that I'm working on. Sure, my building plans say 12" by 9 1/4", but due to the thickness of the wood or other factors this can be off just a bit. I think It was only off by a 1/16" but hey, you want it to fit just right don't ya?
So anyway, I measured and cut the back panel out of 1/2" plywood. Then after applying glue along all the back edges I set that panel in place and nailed it in.
Step 10: Final Assembly
I have a ton of leftover French Cleat strips of wood. For those of you who are not familiar, a French Cleat system works by having one strip of wood on a wall that has a 45 degree cut on the top edge.Then there is a strip of wood placed onto what you want to hang with the 45 degree cut on the bottom edge. You simply slip the bottom edge of what you're hanging onto the top edge attached to the wall. Gravity does all the work. And you can move things around to suit your needs.
So anyway, I cut a section of this strip to length and glued and nailed it into place.
And finally, I went over all the edges with 150 grit sandpaper to smooth everything out.
Step 11: Finished!
All that's left is to hang it on the wall and fill it up with your favorite drills, chargers and any other small things like drill bits, etc.