Lathe Tool Storage

[Martin Penning]

I am struggling trying to come up with a good plan/design for my lathe tool storage. I’ve looked at many different approaches on Pinterest, etc., but haven’t found what looks like a really good way to do it. I’d be very interested in seeing pictures of the ways you guys do it. I want something that is accessible and safe (for the tool edges and people). I currently have a couple dozen tools of varying lengths.
Thanks,
Martin

[Dick Mahany]

I have to store my lathe tools and tooling in a very compact space and it has to be mobile for use. I took inspiration from a 2011 tool cart by B. Loitz of the Glendale Woodturners and built this one. It is safe for tool edges and very versatile but not so safe for people due to the exposed sharp edges. I don't have any small children around, so this works for me. If I had the luxury of a dedicated space and a nearby wall, I'd prefer a wall mounted rack.

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[Martin Penning]

Thanks, Dick! That looks very functional and compact! I have quite a bit of space, but not a lot of wall space. Thanks again for sending. Gives many a lot of ideas.

[Perry Hilbert Jr]

For what it's worth, the tools I use the most are on an easel type arrangement on top a rolling tool cart. I use two magnetic strips about 5 inches apart running parallel horizontally to hold the tools. with edges up. I can roll the cart closer or further away depending on what I am turning, and when I use one of the other lathes, I just roll the cart to the other lathe.

[Ray Ewing]

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I am struggling trying to come up with a good plan/design for my lathe tool storage. I’ve looked at many different approaches on Pinterest, etc., but haven’t found what looks like a really good way to do it. I’d be very interested in seeing pictures of the ways you guys do it. I want something that is accessible and safe (for the tool edges and people). I currently have a couple dozen tools of varying lengths.
Thanks,
Martin


This works for me. Tools are stored sharp ends down, box o bottom holds chucks, revolving center and misc items. The cart is on wheels so it can easily be moved to where I want to use it or to clean under it. Note it was made with extra spaces for new additional tools. Its taken a while but almost all are now filled. :) Good luck with your decision.
Ray

[Martin Penning]

Very nice, Ray! That looks great. Roughly, what are the overall dimensions?

[Martin Penning]

Thanks, Perry. That’s a good idea

[Brice Rogers]

In my own humble opinion, whenever I make a tool holder it will initially hold all of my tools, but after 6 months, it only holds 90 % of my tools. A year later it holds 80% of my tools, etc.

[Dwight Rutherford]

395794Here’s mine,

[John K Jordan]

I don't worry about "safe". I want the tools with the points up or out or otherwise easily visible. If I only had a few tools I might store them differently. I do put plastic tubing protectors over every Hunter tool tip since the cutters are easily chipped.

Most of those I use the most are on the wall by the lathe at the very right of the first picture (and with my assistant with the rack under construction);

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The tools are on a piece of plywood with a wooden frame behind to stiffen. To make the hangers I used long deck screws with a piece of clear plastic tubing on each screw to cushion. The screws are easy to reposition as my tool "collection" evolves. This rack has been the best of all the other things I've tried over the years since I can instantly see and grab the tool I want.

Don't have a photo but I store a bunch of scrapers, parting tools, unhandled bowl gouges, and texture tools flat on a stack of shallow wooden shelves. I put them in the shelves with the handle back and the points out so I can easily see what is what. I've never run my hand into the points. The shelves are on top of a cabinet with drawers that hold my chucks and things and on top of the stack is a machinist''s toolbox with small drawer for live centers, hones, saws, calipers, and other small tools. All this is about two steps from the lathe.

Tools without handles are in a shallow drawer in the workbench just behind me when I stand at the lathe, some Hunter tools and Thompson spindle gouges. These go into handles as needed. I don't have a good photo but this photo of a spare tool insert shows some of the gouges (I keep multiples sharpened alike and swap them out when they get dull):

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Large bowl gouges in handles are in a vertical rack under the same workbench.

Rarely used tools are kept in some sturdy Craftsman plastic boxes sold to store under a truck seat.

Tools that I never plan on using again are stored in other people's shops. :)

JKJ

[Dick Mahany]

395794Here’s mine,

Nice arrangement and great looking Type 1 Workmate.

[Kyle Iwamoto]

This is my storage for a few tools which I also quickly out grew. 1-1/4" (I think) PVC cap and couplers on the ends of the PVC. Not really "cheap", the caps prevent falling through and the coupler keeps the tops at the same distance apart so the pipes dont tilt together. Filled gaps with expanding foam so they never will come out again. I also prefer tips down. Put a wad of newspaper to prevent the tips from hitting the PVC. Or you can wait and they fill up with chips anyways. Now I use it to bring a known amount of tool when I demonstrate something. If a space is empty, I know I need to find a tool.
https://sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=229525&d=1334431664

[Dave Fritz]

I know it's not advised to have the tools pointing up in storage. I'm not sure I could select the right tool by looking at the handle. How do you do that?

[Martin Penning]

Thanks, Dwight. Looks good!

[Martin Penning]

Thanks, John. You have a very well organized and thought out shop! Looks really good and your assistant looks like a fine one!

[Martin Penning]

Thanks, Kyle. Very functional!

[Martin Penning]

Thanks everyone for their time and thoughts! At least for the time being, I decided to make something that would be portable and hold a fair number of tools. Many of you said they’ve gone through several iterations to get to their “final” (at least for a while) design. I have a good amount of floor space, but pretty limited amount of wall space. Anyway, here’s what I made for now. It’s in a tote that I have on a roll around cart and holds 32 tools. 395935

[Kyle Iwamoto]

I'm not sure I could select the right tool by looking at the handle. How do you do that?

I use a Sharpie and write something on the handle end top. You can see the "1/2" and "5/8" on my home made ones. The common Sorbys I write something on the cap. Lots of tools are different enough. Yes, lots of time is sometimes wasted Easter egging for the gouge that I know I put in that specific tube......

[Bruce McVeety]

395976Not affiliated, nore do I have one, but I do like much about this design. http://www.montana-designs.com/

[Martin Penning]

395976Not affiliated, nore do I have one, but I do like much about this design. http://www.montana-designs.com/
Thanks, Bruce. That is really nice. Very much like the one Dick Mahaney built. I will check into the kit!