Replies

1. 
   dougmeyer | Jan 13, 2008 05:14pm | #1

   Personally what ever you do I would keep them as a closed cabinet vs an open shelf. The dust that ends up on shelves is a pain, and it seams to sit on them until the moment you try to do some finishing then it magically blows off the shelves where it has lived for years and lands on your wet finish.

   Doug

1. 
   fiveandahalf | Jan 13, 2008 11:02pm | #2

   Thats what I'm leaning towards, but just kind of fishing for what others have done.  I'm a pretty good adapter, but not so great as an inventor.

   Mark

2. 
   captainkidd | Jan 14, 2008 06:59am | #3

   Mark, I am actually planning on building separate boxes for each plane using 3/8" material. Each box will be big enough for the specific plane it is built for and carved on the side with what plane is contained in the box. I am going to use box tails to hold the sides together and wooden hinges for the top. With that said I do like the idea of a whole cabinet dedicated to holding the planes. Maybe each plane could have it's own drawer or compartment and appropriately labeled. Just an idea.

   B.Kidd

1. 
   fiveandahalf | Jan 14, 2008 07:08am | #4

   That's an interesting approach.  I've seen a couple of cabinets where they were mounted vertically, which makes a lot of sense for 6s, 7s, and 8s, and even for 5 series planes.  One of my favorites is a #5 Lakewood with a hole drilled in it by a previous owner.  Not too pretty, but it can cut like nobody's business.  Nice paper thin strips.

   I'll end up using an approach where the users are in some kind of cabinet with easy access, and the ones that don't get used so much will be tucked away in another cabinet or two.  At this point I'm leaning towards a cabinet that will have pegboard on the front, but open for tool storage in the doors and on the wall.  Kind of the first step in a total shop rebuild.

   Thanks for your input.  Neat idea.

   Mark

1. 
   BG | Jan 14, 2008 01:16pm | #5

   fiveandahalf,
   I did something like your thinking but with a heavy emphasis on personal convenience and minimal clean up time. I've got a small shop with my workbench about a foot from the wall. About a foot above the workbench I built a 3'x5'x8" cabinet with 3.5" box doors. The cabinet has 9 cubbies that hold power tools and glue, c-clamps, etc. and the doors hold all the hand tools. I put a shelf under the cabinet(5'x12") and put the planes there. So everything I need is an easy reach away and can be kept off the workbench. I do not store power tools in their plastic cases. Lastly, a good sized drawer under the workbench holds small and/or fragile things. I don't get a lot of dust on my hand planes...I do get dust on my finishes..that's a design feature...lol

3. 
   mvflaim | Jan 15, 2008 03:27am | #6

   I agree with Biggie G. Build a wall cabinet that holds all of your hand tools not just the planes (my wife was angry when I built mine). That way you can put your other fine hand tools in the cabinet and keep them protected as well (my wife thinks I'll spend more money on fancy tools rather than her). Find inspiration from books like The Toolbox Book and design something that will you last for fifty years (I'd rather buy a plane than a new vaccum). Make sure the tool placement is flexible so you can add new tools to the cabinet without having to redesign the whole thing (I can hide new tools in the cabinet and she'll never find out).

    

4. 
   benhasajeep | Jan 17, 2008 10:54pm | #7

   Not sure where you live.  But I need to keep my planes in an enclosed cabinet.  I don't heat all winter, just when I am in the shop.  So I get alot of condensation on tools.  I put covers over my big machines and try to keep everything else in a drawer or cabinet.  I just moved and need to build new cabinets for the new shop.  But plans include the 4 planes I have now to each have their own cubby in a wall cabinet.  The biggest I have is 14" they can easily fit into an upper cabinet depth wise.  I was considering something like Norm did on one of the New Yankee programs where he made the adjustable cubbies for his new bench.  I would just add a door to close it in.  But thing having the ability to change the size of the cubbies might be good for future changes.

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jan 17, 2008 11:18pm | #8

   ben,

   Thought for you:  If you can, install a small wattage lightbulb (say 25 watts) into the bottom of your cabinet.  The heat from the bulb will keep them warm, cozy and dry inside the cabinet.  You can drill holes in the shelves to allow the warm air to rise inside the cabinet.

   Regards,

    Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

5. 
   andyfew322 | Jan 18, 2008 04:54am | #9

   I keep mine in drawers on mouse pads

    

   "I'd rather be a hammer than a nail"