While in the process of moving and setting up my shop again, have a question -- what is the best way to store turning tools. Have about three dozen gouges and scrapers and would like to store them where 1) they don't take up a lot of space and 2) be able to find what I want quickly. Ideas please.
I have one of those magnetic bars. I made a small shelf to hold the base, and the magnetic bar holds the tools in place. Works for me. Some folks think that having a slightly magnetized tool is bad, but it hasn't presented any problems to me...
Something like this, except without the backing board being too short (as this picture is for the two gouges on the left)
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Points up - you can see them. No dulling. Easy to grab (don't have to pull up out of a hole.) No cutting yourself inadvertently on the up-pointing edges - if the backing board is high enough. Around a 70 degree angle is plenty to keep gouges in place. I had a picture of mine somewhere, but I can't find it now. Shamelessly borrowed from designs seen at a NHGWW lathe event in use by demonstrators. I'm not clear if the one in the picture is screwed to the wall or just leaning against it - mine is on a small table (old typewriter tables are great for the shop) so it can be moved to the most convenient position. I store stuff on top of the table, under the angled back of the rack.
I have a wooden wall rack, built from a Shopnotes plans. I extended the rack to hold more tools. The tool leans toward the wall with the heal resting in a convex circle. The tools are nearby and easily removed or replaced.
I'd go to the bicycle shop and buy a couple of heavy duty inter tubes. Then use it to protect the cutting surfaces - insert half way and bend over - wire wrap on. Store in a large tool box.
Once moved - put them in the rack.
You could color code the metal just above the handle for temp use and protection.
Mart> While in the process of moving and setting up my shop again, have a
The tools I am using go in a freestanding horizontal rack I move around between my lathes. For storage or hauling to demos I use 5 gallon buckets filled 1/3 with sawdust, tools point down. -mike paulson, fort collins, co
That's a really good question... :-) I was a production woodturner for more than 12 years and accumulated a lot of tools. I've experimented with many different ways to store them efficiently and have settled upon mechanic's tool boxes. They have lots of drawers and will store all, or most of your accessories as well in the larger drawers. I have a large tool box (5' high) that houses the bulk of my tools. Clean and efficient, and the shallow drawers making finding tools a snap!
For project based tool storage, I typically use a rolling cart with the necessary tools on the top, situated in between two risers to prevent them from rolling off. The top of the cart is covered with carpet, which keeps them from rolling around when there are only a few being used. I used to use a magnetic rack, but it would not hold enough tools. I've seen some really nice purpose built racks that are great as well, if you have the time and inclination to build one. I really prefer the mechanic's tool boxes, though... Easily expandable and you can roll them around to the lathe if necessary. This let's you have not only your turning tools nearby, but all of the other jigs, centres, and accessories as well. Good luck and best wishes!
Better Woodturning and Finishing Through Chemistry...
Steve Russell Eurowood Werks Studio The Woodlands, Texas
A combination of methods. A mag strip, magnetic dots and a small mag-dish for smaller items. A Jet tool-holder (fits between the ways) for the bowl gouges (point down) and then a series of clusters of ABS pipe that holds the rest of the tools point up. The last sitting on a mechanic tool chest that holds all the bits and accessory tools
When I moved, my long tools came down in 5 gallon buckets with 2" foam in the bottom.. Easy to carry, stayed sharp and didn't get lost in a stack of U-Haul boxes.. YMWV
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