Space-Saving Tool Holder
Updated: Mar. 20, 2019Organize your gardening tools in an afternoon!
If you are constantly contending with backyard- tool clutter, this handy holder is just the ticket. It’s a great way to organize your rakes, shovels and other long-handled tools.
Long-Handled Tool Organizer
The versatile tool holder design fits a variety of long-handled garden and yard tools, including those with “D-shaped” handles. Before getting started, measure your tool handles—especially the ones with D-shaped handles— to make sure they’ll fit the dimensions shown in the plan at far right. If not, you can easily adjust the grid measurements to fit your own tools. Also, be sure to check out how to build a work bench on a budget.
Step-by-step instructions:
Figure A: Tool Holder
- Rip the sides and ends for the top and bottom frames from the 1-in. x 8-in. pine board according to the board layout at bottom right.
- Assemble the top and bottom sections of the tool holder by fastening the sides to the ends with 2-in. finishing nails. Be sure to square the corners as you nail. (When nailing close to the end of a board as you are here, it’s best to predrill the nail holes using the same size finishing nail as a drill bit.)
- Cut four 26-in. lengths from the 2x2s. Set these pieces (labeled G in Figure A, above and in Project PDFs below) aside.
- Rip a second 1-in. x 8-in. board into 1-in. strips following the board layout in Figure B (in Project PDFs below). These pieces will form the grid that holds your long-handled tools. The larger openings will provide a 4-1/2-in. space for holding D-handled tools. Measure your tool handles to be sure this space will accommodate them. Adjust the size of the grid as needed.
- It’s time to sharpen your measuring skills. Starting from either end of the 22-1/2-in. side of one of the frames, measure 2-1/4 in. from the inside edge of the frame (mark this measurement on the top edge of the frame on both sides).
- Place one of the 13-in. strips inside the frame so it’s centered on the two marks you made and flush with the top of the frame with the 1-in. side facing up. Using the first marks as a starting point, position the remaining six strips 2-3/4 in. apart on center (see Figure A).
- Nail the strips in place with 1-1/2-in. finishing nails. Before you do, make sure your measurements are accurate. There should be 1-3/4 in. between each strip. Repeat this process for the other frame, which will be identical in spacing.
- Nail the 1-in. x 22-1/2-in. strips perpendicular and on top of the 13-in. strips you just attached. To position them, start from either end of the 14-1/2 in. side of one of the frames and measure 2-1/4, 5 and 10-1/2 in. from the inside edge (again, mark these measurements on the opposite end of the frame, too). Center three of the 22-1/2-in.-long strips on those marks and check your measurements (all the spaces will be 1-3/4-in. square, except for the D-handled ones, which will measure 4-1/2 in. x 1-3/4 in.) and nail them into place with 1-1/2-in. finishing nails.
- Every intersection of the grid should be secured with 1-1/4-in. finishing nails. To provide support as you nail, simply cut the end of a scrap piece of 2×4 so it fits snugly under the strips. Repeat this process for the other frame.
- Use the four 26-in. 2×2 uprights which you cut in step 3 to attach the top and bottom frames to one another. Fasten these pieces with 1-5/8-in. deck screws to the corners of the bottom frame (drive screws through both the sides and the ends for added strength). Attach the top in the same manner, but first double check that the spaces in the top grid align with the spaces in the bottom grid.
Your project’s complete! Now the only thing left to do is pick up those tools off the garage or shed floor and fill your handy new organizer.
Want more garage organization ideas? Check out these 51 brilliant ways to organize your garage.
Project PDF’s:
Click the links below to download the Figure A and B for this tool holder project.
Shopping list:
- 12′ of 1″ x 8″ No. 2 pine board
- Two 8′ 2x2s
- 2″, 1-1/2″ and 1-1/4″ finishing nails
- 1-5/8″ deck screws
Recommended tools:
- Table saw
- Combination square
Originally Published: March 22, 2018
