This Week in the Shop: Tool Rack

This Week in the Shop we build tool holders for my recently installed tool wall. An organized workspace is a functional workspace, especially in community shops. When everything has its place, every part of the shop seems to work quicker. So this week, I put together a few tool holders to put up some screwdrivers, chisels, pliers and nail sets.

Tool Racks

There are tons of storage solutions out there. I prefer tool walls, both in my personal shop and at community shops. The plywood provides a solid anchoring surface and custom tool holders can be rearranged as needed. Tool holders can be customized for each tool and can be made from small scraps for next to nothing. Lastly, they can be painted, stained, chalkboarded and more. A tool wall fits any work are, whether craft, machine, woodworking, leather or whatever else.

I have used pegboard, hanging tool-o-dexes, tool chests and more to help organize my workspace. Pegs fall out, hanging tool-o-dexes cost too much for their value, and tool chests attract clutter. Commercial systems never seem to be worth the bang for the buck (nor are they as much fun to install as designing your own tool holder).

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Home #Makerspace: Build a Pinewood Derby Car With #YoungMakers

pinewood-derby-carEvery winter, millions of families prepare for serious bonding time at kitchen tables, in garages and in workshops across the country.  We enter with dreams of speed, beauty and glory.  With a little luck and skill, we leave with pride, joy and a completed Pinewood Derby Car.

Here’s how to generate that little bit of luck and skill for your family so you too can guide your young maker with confidence.

The Pinewood Derby is a race between small gravity-powered model cars.  Each official Scouting kit contains a solid pine block, four nails and four plastic wheels but specialized kits are available online.  Official rules vary from organization to organization, and in Scouting, district to district.

This guide will show you how to support and help your young maker design, make and race their derby car.

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Home #Makerspace: Two Easy #KidArt Mobiles

This week, we took to the skies with a two simple mobiles.

mobile-project

Mobiles are kinetic sculptures which rely on and play with the scientific concept of equilibrium and center of gravity.  The pieces often spin and flutter with the breeze, presenting a constantly shifting face and focus to the observer.  Some mobiles are motorized, such as the spinning toys hung over a baby’s crib.dsc_3756-001

Here are two very quick and easy ways to make spinning mobiles in your own home.

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Home #Makerspace: Simple Kid’s Game Boards for Young Makers #Woodworking

This week, we made a quick foldable checkerboard inspired by my youngest child’s love of the game. This basic folding design can expanded and modified to play any board game. Just let your imagination run wild!

This project incorporates measuring, marking boards square, using a hand drill and hand saw, and an all natural, no-fuss stain (although it is stinky!). Super quick, super cheap and super easy for young makers between K – 3rd grade. Continue reading Home #Makerspace: Simple Kid’s Game Boards for Young Makers #Woodworking