Rolling Tool Tower from Baker’s Rack!

An old Baker’s Rack can be reconfigured and outfitted as a bin storage system, clamp rack, and tool organizer. We are still in the prototype stage, but see what we’ve done so far!

Buy your DFJ T-Shirt, Cap, or Coffee Mug at https.//www.dirtfarmerjay.com/shop

#shoporganization #storage #toolbox

Our friends Kim and Jesus gave us a couple of rolling baker racks from their Puerto Rican restaurant. They are aluminum construction, so they are easy to modify. We made one into a solar dehydrator (we’ll feature that another time!) and one into a shop storage column that serves many functions.

The rack needed cleaning and we did that with spray on degreaser and a brass bristle brush. Once clean, we removed the integrated caster wheels and replaced them with a robust wood frame base with heavy-duty locking swivel casters. With a solid base and improved smooth mobility, it was time to work on the top.

The “L” frames on the sides were mostly too close together for the tool cases and DeWalt® lock-top storage boxes. So, we drilled out rivets on several sets and put the frames wider apart (using short ¼” bolts, nuts, and thread lock) so that our storage bins would fit. It’s still a work in process as we determine what we like where, but we feel we are on the right track.

We bought some commercial pans that fit the rack, but found the aluminum sliding on aluminum, with significant weight, needs some help in the form of UHMW (ultra-high molecular weight) plastic tape. This makes a slippery surface and allows trays to slide about easily.

As it is now, our rack has active parts storage, some tools, pull-out trays for various purposes, and racks temporarily attached for clamp storage. The tools are either on sheets awaiting further organization or in the plastic clamshell the tool comes in (such as a Kreg® pocket hole jig), or trays.

We are still finalizing the design but found that wooden flat trays with slots to ride along the edges of the rack trays do not work very well. The is too much friction so they don’t slide smoothly or easily.

As for the sides of the rack, one side is presently dedicated to Rockler® clamp racks. They are temporarily affixed to the sides. We like the placement, so they will be bolted in place shortly. The other side is an open slate. Candidates for placement on that surface include more clamps, squares and straight edges, layout tools and spray can racks. We’ll see and report on that when the time comes.

If you’ve got some ideas or comments, let us (and your fellow viewer family members) know.

In the meantime, JUST DO IT YOURSELF!

Buy your DFJ T-Shirt, Cap, or Coffee Mug at https.//www.dirtfarmerjay.com/shop

Follow us on Social Media to know when we’re building projects or releasing new episodes!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dirtfarmerj
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dirtfarmerjay

You can help support this channel by buying our merchandise or supporting us on Throne or Patreon

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/dirtfarmerjay