GUNPLUMBER'S GUIDE TO HOME GUNSMITHING: TOOL HOLDER

(revised 01-24-02)


There are some commercial tool-holders sold. None met my specific needs. I made one out of pine similar to the one shown here. It worked well, but I outgrew it quickly and wanted to make some improvements. This is the improved model. It is 24" wide. You can adjust your materials to 18" or 12" to suit your needs. Home Depot has a miter box available in the moulding section to cut the wood (sold by the foot) to exact length at the store.

Material Cost: $20.
Labor: 2 hours.

Materials.

Plank, oak, 2" x 1" x 24" (actual measurement on the red oak I got from Home Depot was 1-1/2" x 3/4" x 24")
Plank, oak, 3" x 1" x 24" (actual measurement on the red oak I got from Home Depot was 2-1/2" x 3/4" x 24")
Plank, oak, 4" x 1" x 24" (actual measurement on the red oak I got from Home Depot was 3-1/2" x 3/4" x 24")
Plank, oak, 6" x 1" x 24" (actual measurement on the red oak I got from Home Depot was 5-1/2" x 3/4" x 24")

Wood Glue
Wood Clamps or C-Clamps
Drill press or hand drill with stops.
9/64" drill bit (for 1/8" rotary tool bits)
17/64" drill bit (for 1/4" punches)
25/64" drill bit (for 3/8" punches)
33/64" drill bit (for 1/2" drill bit)
(3) 1" wood screws
(3) 1-1/2" wood screws
(3) 2" wood screws
Wood sealer such as Tung Oil, Tru-Oil, Linseed Oil, etc.

Directions

Sequence is important. Some holes drilled before gluing, some after gluing

Stack together as shown and pencil a line showing position of each board.

On 6" board, mark 3 equal distant points 1/2" apart, centered, and repeat at 1/2" intervals for the width of the plank.

Drill marks 1/2" deep with a 9/64 bit. Do this before gluing.

On 4" board, mark points at 3/4" interval centered.

On 3" board, mark points at 1" intervals, centered.

On 2" board, mark points at 1" intervals, centered.

Glue all four boards together, clamp, at let dry.

Drill 4" board on marked points with 17/64 holes for 1/4" tools. Drill 1" to 1-1/8" deep (stop half way through the plank below)

Drill 3" board on marked points with 25/64 holes for 3/8" tools. Drill 1" to 1-1/8" deep (stop half way through the plank below)

Drill 2" board on marked points with 33/64 holes for 1/2" tools. Drill 1" to 1-1/8" deep (stop half way through the plank below)



Optionally re-enforce wood glue by using wood scews at the bottom of holes. Predrill as oak is pretty tough.

Sand lightly to remove burrs. Chamfer corners. Oil and let dry.

Send comments to "mail".



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