Show us your tool holding system

[brendan stemp]

Like most turners who have been at it for a while I have collected a few tools. But how do you store them so they easily accessed? I have tried a few systems but none of them have been all that impressive so I am wanting to see pics of system you use or have seen that work well. Any takers?

[Mrs Woodpecker]

I have a magnetized holder that screws onto the wall. It is nearly full so I will get another when we move.
Cheers,
Shirley

[DJ’s Timber]

Here's mine, the base is a cupboard stand from a photocopier which is on castors, whilst the stem the holds the mdf disc is a hub from a car or trailer which has been welded to a pipe with a plate on it and bolted to the stand, this allows me to turn the disc so that I can access all my chisels from the front and wheel it around to put it where I need it.

Also welded another bit of pipe to the hub nut with another disc on top for the knockout bar, spur drives and centres.

If you want more pics, gives us a hoy and I'll take some better ones.

107342

[artme]

Hubs and pipes DJ? Did it need to be bullet proof?:D:p

Bloody good one though.:D

Effective Shirley but not imaginative.:D:D:p

[Timber stacker]

I used an old belt which the buckle broke. Which I then screww to an old piece of treated pin decking. I think i may have stole this idea from better homes and gardens. It works well, but I only have 5 chisels.
107364

107365

[rsser]

Most of them are stored on a bit of MDF with holes and slots cut into it. This has sagged through too many tools and will be replaced with heavy ply. Above it are toolclips to hold the bigger weapons; to the side the roughing gouge hangs on a nail. The Glaser gets leant against the backboard pending the new rack. There are some overflow tools on a magnetic rack and the hollowers live in a drawer.

For a given job the necessary tools are laid out on the bench below. With the new lathe there'll be a shelf under the bed with a scalloped bit of 1x1" to stop the tools from rolling.

[Edit: eek! 57 inc. hollowers :- ]

[jefferson]

Ern,

did you say 57? I feel much better if that's the case.

I'll give a few of mine away at the Sharpening session down at 's place for "house keeping" purposes.

A couple of scrapers for Tea Lady if she wants them, plus a cheap set of Chinese HSS tools if any new hands show up.

Just got to make room for some more bowl gouges.....

No turning today. Planing boards for a table top. Damn glue ups can be a stressful time. Murray pine floor boards with a very rustic look, but that's what Indigo Valley (still yet to post I might add) wanted.

Jeff

[rsser]

Jeff, they've been breeding overnight, honest :rolleyes:

Anyways, homemade tools don't count for tool junkie status and I've got a few.

[efgee88]

Here's mine.

Cheers,

FrankG

[DJ’s Timber]

Hubs and pipes DJ? Did it need to be bullet proof?:D:p

Bloody good one though.:D

Effective Shirley but not imaginative.:D:D:p

All made from stuff that was either going to the dump or sourced from hard rubbish collection days, so I haven't any complaints on how it looks or bullet proof it is :;

[specialist]

Good ideas, I'm currently mulling over how to put my stuff up in out of the way.

Robert

[issatree]

Hi all,
This appears to be an interesting subject
Well mine is a bit like Ern's & eegge88?. I have a wheel type 1/2in. board with 13 holes on the outside, but with Keyways or Slots if you like. Another 7 on the inside, but no slots.
The Keyway makes a big difference to me anyway, as I only have to lift the Tool partially, & slip it out the Keyway, & the same applies when returning the Tool. My holes are marked, so each Tool goes back from whence it came. Only the small handled Tools are on the inside. This Tool Holder has a Lazy Susan under it, then attached to a Turned Post, then a round base, with 3 Legs, so as it always finds it's balance. I have had this Holder for approx.19 yrs.so when I go to do a show it is easy to take with me, very portable.
If I can sooner or later learn how to do pics. I could show you all. I carry all my tools in a peice of 12in.-305mm. Plastic 305mm high pipe with a 25mm. piece of wood pop riveted to the pipe for the bottom with a steel & wood carry handle, it holds all the Tools I care to take with me.
Well that's it.

REGARDS,
ISSATREE.

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

I gotta admit, it's nice to have a wall-mounted system like Ern's, but in my new shed that won't be possible. Wall space will be at a premium for shelves, etc. and, unfortunately, so will floor space. By the time my lathes, etc. are in there I'll be lucky if I have room for me.

So I'll be going back to my very first storage solution... buckets kept under a bench. :-:p

For a long time now I've been selecting only a bare handful of tools to do a job and I've made a tray which hooks into the ways to hold them.

In actual fact, it'x gotten to the stage that the tools currently in the tray practically live there... all the others, are basically dust collectors. Although when I do need them, at least they're there. :)

[mickelmaster]

This is just a though but how about drilling holes in the tray to put your tools in? So if you move you lathe you move yout tools too, this is only possible on some lathes though...

[Old-Biker-UK]

I need a toolholding system ? :o
My system is each tool (most of them home made) has a different handle and that's about it....
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/remark/pages/Temp/images/lathetools.jpg
Mark

[thefixer]

Everything I need within arms reach of the lathe and I've got short arms:), even the grinder is right by. And the sandpaper rolls hang on a length of dowel above the lathe just forward enough that I can reach them without effecting the light..

Cheers
Shorty

[Sawdust Maker]

I made this at the beginning thinking it would (maybe) be big enough
unfortunately it isn't :doh:- I've manage to accumulate twice this many tools with a couple still in the 'being made' mode. It is on a hinge with shelves and a board with other useful items behind it - ie calipers etc
I think if I made another I could fit a few more chisels on it but definitely not twice as many :no:
107418

[TTIT]

I went for a dust-drop-through style that is always within arms reach. Holds more than I need - I've since retired the 2 at the left and replaced them with another 2 I hardly ever use :shrug: Also lifts off the swivel-arm and sits on a bench as a stand-alone rack.

[Dodgyboy]

I made the bottom shelf and bought some stainless clips from Big W to hold the tools in place, works well for me.

[Texian]

Y'all have way too many tools, and some rather inconveniently located (at least one step required to reach them). Seems like reaching over the lathe to get a tool might be potentially hazardous. I like 'em close at hand. There's another rack at other end of the lathe for mostly stuff that goes with the tailstock. Note shop vac hose within reach so no bending required.

[Farnk]

Two lazy Susans, one either side of the lathe works for me. Everything is within arms reach. Nominally it's supposed to be skews one side, gouges on the other, but that sense of order quickly deteriorates..

Made them big enough to allow for any expected growth in chisel numbers.. (SO has woken up to the fact that each new chisel costs more than the set of 6 she originally bought me:D)

[artme]

Old Biker you scoundrel, you stole my idea!!:D:D:D
Gotta like it therefore.:2tsup::2tsup::2tsup:

TTIT_ I thought this was all about timber, not metal.:p:p

[Ozkaban]

Y'all have way too many tools, and some rather inconveniently located (at least one step required to reach them). Seems like reaching over the lathe to get a tool might be potentially hazardous. I like 'em close at hand. There's another rack at other end of the lathe for mostly stuff that goes with the tailstock. Note shop vac hose within reach so no bending required.

I like that idea. Also like the hammer... Is that for particularly subborn burls:cool:

Cheers,
Dave

[Grumpy John]

.............. Note shop vac hose within reach so no bending required.

I notice the hammer's even closer :D:rolleyes:.

[dai sensei]

I have had many racks over the years, all behind the lathe due to lack of room, but at the tailstock end. I used to have them handle up, but tended to rip the rack off the support when they got caught as I tried to remove them :((.

This one is my best, similar to TTIT's with handle down and laid back, but using magnetic strip to hold them in place. Like most of us, I've had to extend the rack a couple of times as I bought/made extra chisels :rolleyes:

http://www.woodworkforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=107497&stc=1&d=1244536673

[NeilS]

Purpose built lazy susan sitting on top of mobile set of drawers so it can be positioned wherever needed within reach (without having to take a step). Magnetic cabinet door catches used to secure tools. Handle on top so tool holder so it can be carried if turning away from workshop. There are more tools (not visible in attached photo) on other side of rack that are accessed by rotating the lazy susan. More could be added to the sides. Chucks, etc., in drawers. Also plan to add my longer handled tools in the same way to the sides of cabinet.

Neil

[Ed Reiss]

Well, after viewing all the great setups for all those tools, I was kind of thinking of maybe not showing mine (I feel so old school), but logic won over panic and so I took the bull by the horns and had the LOML take the pic.

This tool holder has served me my entire life and is still going strong...all manner of tools fit it, don't have to make a special size...it just does it all:2tsup:

So...here's my submission for the tool holding system.:q:D:D:D

[rsser]

LOL, I was going to do the same Ed but figured folk were sick of hearing about my paws.

[issatree]

Hi All,
Great to see all the pics, of the Tool Holders. Not in love with having to lean over the Lathe to select a Tool though, seems a little dangerous.
So you all stop the lathe, hey??
I once left some daggy ends of a turning,Tail Stock end & it caught my white Chemical Suit, as I lent over the Tail Stock & grabbed it so quick, I wondered what had happened. In after thoughts, I thought I was lucky not to have had a cloth smock on, as it tore the suit from arm pit to belt line. I'm a Left Handed Turner, & it took the right side clean out of the suit. I think, that had I not been turning at 3000rpm. I would have had more trouble than I care to think about, for as it grabbed, I pulled away & released myself, sat down & had a dash good think about what had happened. I DO NOT leave daggy ends at all now. Lesson Learnt.
This is why I do not have any Tools in front of me, or if you like over the back of theLathe.
REGARDS,
ISSATREE.

[Woodwould]

The toolholder I posted was deleted. :?

[rsser]

Musta been pornographic Woodwould.

[Woodwould]

Musta been pornographic Woodwould.

Nope! Not even remotely.

[Sawdust Maker]

Wrong size file, maybe?

[Ozkaban]

don't worry Woodwould - I got the email subscription, so I saw the image. Very humourous, and not pornographic, but certainly not in keeping with CHISEL holding systems :rolleyes:

Got a laugh out of me though :D

Cheers,
Dave

[Woodwould]

don't worry Woodwould - I got the email subscription, so I saw the image. Very humourous, and not pornographic, but certainly not in keeping with CHISEL holding systems :rolleyes:

Got a laugh out of me though :D

Cheers,
Dave

The heading doesn't specifically say what sort of tool holding device to show. :;

[Texian]

Dave & John,
Thanks for noticing the hammer. It is, of course, for setting the drive center into a blank before putting on the lathe spindle. Yes it does mushroom the end of the center a little, but I check the MT with a straight edge to see if the mushroom is getting too big and needs a few thou ground off. It's a small hammer.

[ElizaLeahy]

Here's mine.

Cheers,

FrankG


Frank, that's beautiful, that's what I want!

At the moment they lay flat under my lathe, in with the shavings!

[orraloon]

Well here is mine. I went with the wheeled idea as I had an old two drawer filing cabinet doing nothing. I find this an improvement over the rack behind the lathe. There is a home for almost all of the turning bits and pieces. Mind you the way turning tools multiply I will soon be filling the other tool rack too. They breed almost as fast as wire coat hangers
Regards
John

[NeilS]

Saw an idea I've not seen before in this YouTube video . It can only been seen briefly as the video plays in fast forward mode. The relevant point in the video is at the 5min mark. There is one other brief glimpse of it a bit later. Looks like a spring loaded rack that pulls down to put tools in and out and then retracts up out of the way (so it doesn't fill with shavings).

[brendan stemp]

Good one Neil; thanks for that. It looks like quite a good idea. Did you notice his banjo shaking loose as he used the bowl saver?

[NeilS]

. Did you notice his banjo shaking loose as he used the bowl saver?

Yeah, with the sped up video it looked like the banjo was sliding about all by itself. If so, that would have given him some binding problems...:o... or, perhaps, he was adjusting the banjo position as he went along (I do a bit of that myself) but we couldn't see him doing that because of the eliminated video frames or because he was standing in front of that area of the lathe during some of the coring.

BTW, Brendan, how are you faring with the flooding predicted for the Horsham area?

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[brendan stemp]

I reckon it looked like the banjo was shaking loose. If you watch the locking lever it gradually works its way up and loose. I have noticed this happens when the cam mechanism in the banjo gets too gunky with oil and wood dust.

Re floods: we're quite ok where we are. Too far from the Wimmera River to be of any concern to us. The McKenzie Creek is a lot closer and is about to break its banks but once again it wont effect us. It is wonderful to see all the water courses running wild. A sight I have never seen. A good prospect to get all the water storages full, the Murray flowing and all the Sth Australians to stop whinging about the Victorians pinching all the water!!:D I hope Lake Alexandrina fills.

BTW Neil I like your avatar quote/message. I looked it up; very good.

[rsser]

There was a story circulating last year about a kid from the bush driving with his Dad into town. Started raining. He asked his dad what those black things were that were arcing across the windscreen.

[Gil Jones]

This is rather handy, but it is overly heavy when removing the tailstock.
I am still considering a removable lazy-Susan stile sitting on the same flat wood surface.
Gil

[NeilS]

i reckon it looked like the banjo was shaking loose. If you watch the locking lever it gradually works its way up and loose. I have noticed this happens when the cam mechanism in the banjo gets too gunky with oil and wood dust.

Had another closer look at the video (this time in full screen mode) and your absolutely right, brendan. Couldn't see that in the small frame. Haven't had that happen so far but will keep your remedy in mind should it start. A drifting banjo could end very badly... :C

re floods: We're quite ok where we are.

Pleased to hear that.

btw neil i like your avatar quote/message. I looked it up; very good.

:U



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[GordonV]

The video was the first time I cored using the jumbo mcnaughton set, I had been using the standard set for a while. You guys were right the cam rod under the banjo was slipping and has since been cleaned and isn't slipping anymore.

As to the shelving setup...

When I bought my upgrade lathe, it came with a bunch of turning tools and the bucket I had been keeping my stuff in wasn't going to cut it anymore. I don't like open racks (shaving collectors) and I didn't have the space for a stand-alone rack off to the side.

It finally occurred to me that I should mount a drawer of some sort on to the bottom of the shelving system that I have my lathe under.

The shelving setup is a regular utility type available at any big box home improvement store with an ordinary plywood shelf.

I was mainly interested in proof-of-concept so my prototype is nothing fancy but it works well enough that I will be making a nicer one at some point.

The box itself is some scrap oak that is butt jointed and pocket screwed together with 1/2" ply screwed to the bottom. I used a piano hinge cut to size on the back of the box. I wanted some some cushion on the open and some assistance on the close so I incorporated two cheap storm door closers (one on each side). The rack is held closed with a simple window hasp.

I also eventually want to add an additional box for chucks and wrenches to go on the portion of the shelf over the headstock.

Tips for anyone who decides to do this:

Take the shelf down and put it together on the ground I had a heck of a time putting it up in place. I was too lazy to clear the shelf off thinking it would be easier---it wasn't.

Allow room against the wall for lower rear corner of the box to move or it will bang on the wall.

A stronger door closer may work a bit better.

The shelf above is 3/4" ply without any type of bracing and it bows from the weight on the window hasp.

[NeilS]

Hi Gordon, and welcome to the forum. Going by that collection of turning tools you have there your going to be right at home here...:)

And thanks for the details of your tool rack setup. I expect there will be a few knock-offs from forum members as a result of your post...:2tsup:

Pleased to hear that you have fixed that sliding banjo. Those big Kelton corers sure put some extra forces on everything.

I look forward to your future posts on the forum

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[Allan at Wallan]

Well, after viewing all the great setups for all those tools, I was kind of thinking of maybe not showing mine (I feel so old school), but logic won over panic and so I took the bull by the horns and had the LOML take the pic.

This tool holder has served me my entire life and is still going strong...all manner of tools fit it, don't have to make a special size...it just does it all:2tsup:

So...here's my submission for the tool holding system.:q:D:D:D

You have sure got a handle on that Ed. :2tsup:

Allan

[munruben]

You have sure got a handle on that Ed. :2tsup:

AllanI agree,, I have one exactly the same as Ed and it does my job with no problem.:)