DIY Network

Tote-ally Cool Tool Tote Build a homemade tool-tote/workbench that will be a big help with DIY.

By Mark Clement and Theresa Coleman

Photo 1

Here's an incredibly simple thing — obvious even — often overlooked on DIY projects: You need a place to keep the stuff you're using.

We're not talking about a tool box or bucket organizer, nor kit boxes for power tools. Those house everything. This (see Photo 1) is a tote that you can use to store the tools you take out of those big things, then immediately strew around the room only to have them be 12 feet away when you need them.

And unlike toolboxes, our Tote-al Tote has a flat top surface, which is great for jotting down notes, tossing a pair of pliers or supporting a board or pipe for a quick cut. Try that with a toolbox. Ha!

Cuss-O-Meter
We're low-balling the Cuss-O-Meter at 1.0 on the Tote-al Tote for two reasons: first, it's easy to make — you only need some 1-by and basic tools; second, the amount of cussing it saves after the fact is great. Think of them as cuss-offsets.

Design
As with most of our projects, this one is scaleable. You can make it — within reason — as small or large as you require. We include measurements for a small and a large model here.

Photo 2

Tools and parts
We like to make the TT using a miter saw, jigsaw, router and cordless drill/driver, but you can make all the cuts using a circ saw.

The TT only has a few parts: sides, tray, top struts, and top. And you can make it out of stock lumber — 1x4 and 1x12 common pine. (See Photo 2 for all the parts before assembly, but note that only four struts are shown. You'll need a total of eight.)

Cutting, detailing and assembly
Cuts. Pre-cutting all the pieces on this one is a snap. Check out the cut lists below for both large and small TTs.

TT 1.0

8 1x4 top and bottom struts: 20 inches each
1 1x12 bottom tray: 20 inches
2 1x12 sides: 24 inches
1 1x12 top: 24 inches

TT 2.0

8 1x4 top and bottom struts: 30-1/2 inches each
1 1x12 bottom tray: 30-1/2 inches
2 1x12 sides: 31-1/4 inches
1 1x12 top: 36 inches

Detailing. There are a couple of cool, if not cosmetic, enhancements for the TT. We like to cut a center handle (i.e., hole) out of the top and rout an edge on both sides. I also like to clip a 45-degree angle off each corner and add a roundover to the top. You don't need this, but it's nice — and fun.

For legs, try a radius or other shape cut out of the bottom for cool effect. And now that you mention it, you'll probably come up with your own awesome details. Share them with us.

If you want to use our radius design, go to page 3 of this article for the instructions before you start cutting up lumber.

Assembly. Start with the bottom tray assembly. Strike a guide line on each side 6 inches up from the bottom (or above any detailing you've done) using a square. Above the line, fasten each side to the bottom tray. (Photo 3) It helps to get the screws started (Photo 4) before you begin actual assembly.

Photo 3

Photo 4

Photo 5

Next, fasten the struts. (Photo 5) Two will fit flush to the top and outside edges of each side; fasten two more directly below them.

Fasten the bottom struts on both sides. Two will sit on the bottom tray; two more "stack" on top of them.

Photo 6

Install the top so that it over hangs each side equally. (Photo 6)

We suggest adding a finish of boiled linseed oil to preserve the wood.

Unintended consequences and other stuff
We've used our totes — 1.0 and 2.0 — as a jobsite table/mini-cut center and a storage site for tools. It's also a perfect nest for coffee cups. (Mmm-m-m. Coffee!)

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