Organize your Shop Now with a DIY Pegboard Tool Shelf

Peg boards are usually made for hanging. But there are those tools that are better suited to a shelf. So here is a simple shelf that you can hang on your pegboard and use to any purpose you choose. It’s made of small scrap and assembled with only glue.

It will keep your tools organized so you don’t have to rummage through your toolbox to find the what you need. This hangs on your pegboard but can be easily changed so that it screws directly to your wall. It only takes a few tools and some really inexpensive lumber.

And follow this link to my Video to see how it is done.

Tools and Materials

The tools that you’re going to need for this Pegboard Shelf are minimal. You could do this one all with hand tools, that is a handsaw. but I suggest a few power tools. You will of course need a tape measure, a combination square, a bit set, a drill motor, and a compound miter saw.And for materials you will need a 22” long piece of 1 x 4. A 22” piece of 1”x 1/4” and if you are making it for block planes then several more pieces of 1/4” stock 3/8” wide cut to fit.

Layout

The design that I have included is specifically for the tools that I have. You will need to adjust the length according to whatever tools you plan on placing on the shelf. I’m using it for my block planes because I access these very frequently and they need to be close to hand.

I started my layout by simply placing the block planes end to end with a little bit of distance between each and then measuring the total distance. This set my length of 22 inches. I had leftover piece of quarter inch stock that was a little bit longer than what I needed and chose that for the safety rail in front. And these planes are fairly expensive I didn’t want them to accidentally fall off while I was trying to get to something else. And the lip provided by the safety rail helps prevent that. Also I had a scrap piece of quarter inch mahogany that was 3/8” wide. I use this to provide stops at the front and back of each of the planes just to keep them from banging together and to give them a specific location to sit.

Cutting and Gluing

Once you have your shelf laid out it’s time to cut. As my safety rail is going the full length of the shelf I cut both pieces on my radial arm saw simultaneously. Next, I cut four pieces of the mahogany the same width as the shelf using a dovetail saw.

With the parts cut I glued everything together. There are no nails in this project because they really aren’t needed. All I did is provide a rub joint. A rub joint is simply where you apply glue then rub the two pieces together to ensure glue is on all portions this also spreads the glue and increases its stickiness. With the safety rail on and the separators in place I waited about two hours for the glue to dry.

Installing the “L” hooks

The next step I took in this process it’s to mark the location of the hooks. I did that by holding the shelf directly up to the pegboard and marking the locations. I then measure down 3/8” along the centerline of the pegboard hole. Next drill a 1/8” hole 1” deep. Screw in the L hook to about the thickness of the pegboard.

Note: you don’t actually have to predrill. You could just drive the L hook directly into the wood.

The Final Coat

So, I used a wipe on boiled linseed oil for this project. I like it because it’s fast and easy. But you can use varnish, oil and wax, or spray lacquer. This project generally will not see hard use so the finish doesn’t have to be a thick durable coating.

Finishing Up

Well, the project is done and hung. And I have to say this was an easy knock together piece that cost almost nothing to build. And, it added quite a bit to the organization of my shop. My block planes are easy to access, and safe. I am really happy with how this turned out and another shelf for my tape measures and maybe even one for my squares could be in the making.

I hope you make a few minutes in your busy schedule to make something like this for your own shop to help you stay organized. It will make your work go much easier and faster.

Do me a favor, hit like and subscribe if you got something out of this. I’d appreciate that a lot.

Thanks for reading and until next time Good Making!

Bill

Visit my Etsy Store at www.etsy.com/shop/30MinuteWoodshop

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/30MinuteWoodshop