Lathe Tool Storage

[Donny Lawson]

I'm looking for some pictures of how you store your lathe tools. I'm trying to come up with a nice way to have them handy when I need them.
Donny

[John Keeton]

Donny, I went thru this a couple of months ago, and here are some links that may help -
http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=84593
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=88820
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=119793

I had these threads bookmarked, and just brought some wood down from the barn yesterday to get started on mine!!

Good luck with yours.

[Ron Bontz]

Just a thought. I like to keep mine tucked away when not in use since I don't do a lot of turning. Closed it is 30" wide about 9" deep. Open it is 5' wide approx. 4.5" deep. Also the tools should be stored near the head of the lathe, I think. Good luck.:)

[Dave Mueller]

Donny,
+1 for Ron's storage cabinet. Mine is not near as fancy as his, but still works well. I think I like his top tool support which has notchesmore than mine, which has holes. I did put velcro on the edge of the door so I can stick the sanding disks to it. I used to keep them all in jars and as I changed grits, spent a lot of time opening and closing jars. Now I just grab it from the velcro. It also helps me keep track of the grit I'm using - I'm old and forgetful...

[Allen Neighbors]

I'm looking for some pictures of how you store your lathe tools. I'm trying to come up with a nice way to have them handy when I need them.
Donny
If your shop is large enough, a rolling tool cabinet will work pretty well. I built mine from an old ambulance gurney. Lowered it, cut it off just outside the wheels, and built an A-frame on it. Works well. My Deep Hollowing rig is stored inside at the bottom.
It's here: (along with a rolling tool table) --Scroll down to post #6--
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?p=786598&page=2
(http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?p=786598&page=2)

[Bruce Lundgren]

These tool storage ideas are great. Is there any disadvantage to using a magnetic tool strip? My lathe is along the wall in my garage and I have room right behind it to mount the strip so it would be easy access.
Only drawback I can think of is if the tool gets magnetized and when sharpened will the metal grindings stick to the tool? Any thoughts?
Bruce

[Steve Vaughan]

Donny, I don't have a camera handy, but what I did was use 1 1/2" pvc white pipe, cut about 8" to 12", depending on my tools with a 45 degree cut at the top...stacked them tight side by side and built a small wooden frame around them where I can screw the whole thing to the wall...if that makes some sense. I've got one for a 8 piece set of spindle tools, and another one that is about 12 pieces wide with a second, shorter row in front of them.

if I can come across my camera, I'll take a pic. Hope that helps.

[Scot Roberge]

Here are a couple shots of the tool racks I built a few months back. Heart pine resawn from beam cutoffs a friend gave me. No magnets - gravity holds everything securely in place right above my lathe. They are based on a plan published in one of the woodworking mags. I'll track it down and post my plans if anyone's interesed. I built two, but should have built three. Will probably build the next one scaled down a bit for smaller tools.
139800 139801

[Thom Sturgill]

I built a box from four frames designed like Scot's wall unit and mounted it on a lazy susan. It sits on a table at the head stock end of the lathe. It has a carrying handle so that I can take it to club events. The center well would carry other supplies and I hang dividers and the center finder on the corners. Problem is that I need another now. The vortex is strong :o

[Greg Just]

I made a couple of racks like Scot, but not quite as fancy

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=128874

[Paul Atkins]

Storing tools---Hmmm what a concept! I thought part of the fun was to find them under all those chips without cutting your fingers all up.

[Jake Helmboldt]

+1 on the racks Scot posted. Quick and simple to make with scrap and they work well and can be mounted virtually anywhere. I mounted mine on pegboard along with various hooks for other items (dust mask, face shield, chuck keys, etc) on the wall over the lathe.

[Dennis Puskar]

139924 This is my Lathe Tool storage and first time posting a pic hope it turns out ok.

Dennis

[scott schmidt grasshopper]

I use magnetic strips from harbor freight. I put a handle rest under them and the tool section is pointed up. it holds pretty well but you have to make sure the tool contacts the strip correctly, pretty soon you make sure you hit the mark on the first try, that said, the magnatizism(sp?) is not an issue when you grind the tool the grindings are flung away from the tool I have not noticed any ever clinging after a grinding. oh the tool handle rests are 1x3's and at 2 levels for short and long handles

[Jim Underwood]

I built three racks similar to Scott's. I didn't go to a lot of effort to make 'em, just sawed out the sides on the bandsaw, and banged 'em together. Trouble is, I don't have that many tools, but I still don't have enough room in the racks...:o

[Jim Underwood]

139924 This is my Lathe Tool storage and first time posting a pic hope it turns out ok.

Dennis

Real nice rack Dennis. Where do you keep this now that you're not taking a photo of it?

[Dennis Puskar]

Jim,
Thanks I keep it behind the lathe to the right . ( Bench Top Lathe )

Dennis