Fence-in Your Tools

Got a workshop? Do crafts? Gotta lotta handtools? Hang them up in pristine order or whatever way you wanna on this simple, highly effective, any-size-you-want organizer. It's kinda like a DIY pegboard, but better.

Determine the board size you want. Cut a piece of 1/4: plywood that size (Home Stores sell precut 24x48 panels of it, and that's a good size). You can make modules this size for your wall. You'll also need enough decent-looking 1x2 (actually 3/4 x 1-1/2) wood long enough to make a frame around the outer edge (plus a little), a roll of chicken wire (about $15), about 16- 3/4x#8 flathead screws, and two metal picture hangers. The picture hangers should be of a type that will hold the panel to the wall without a lot of movement- small steel 'mending plates' about 2 inches long would be best. Two wall anchors and screws, about 2 inches long.

Minimum tools needed are a small saw, a screwdriver, hammer, one 2 inch nail (as a hole starter), and a pair of wire-cutting pliers.

* Cut the plywood to size if needbe

* Lay a piece of 1x2 on the panel and mark the length to cut.

* Fold a piece of paper in half to make a 45 degree angle, and use it to mark the 1x2 ends to 45 degrees. Cut all the ends 45 degrees.

* Cut a piece of chicken wire the same size as the plywood panel MINUS 1/4 INCH, and tape it lightly to the good face of the plywood, centered. If possible, orient the chicken wire so that the triangular end of the mesh is up to down rather than side to side (optional).

* Position the frame pieces together on a worktable or the floor. Turn the plywood/fence panel over onto the frame pieces, fence side down.

* Make sure the frame is flush with the ends

* Drill or start two holes 2 inches from each end of the panel, about 3/4 inch in from the edge, and screw in two screws per frame piece till they are flush (or nearly) with the plywood back surface.

* Turn the panel face up, and pull on the chicken wire so that it bulges out a little (max 1/4 inch).

* Turn the panel back over and add one or two more screws into the middle areas of the frame.

* Screw the two picture hangers 6 inches from the end into the panel/frame so that they extend over the top edge by 3/4 inch.

* Screw the picture hangers to the wall. You may need to use the anchors/screws if the wall is hollow.

* Then hang your tools on the chicken wire as you like it.

* Save the rest of the chicken wire- you're gonna want more of these.

Other Uses and Refinements

* Spray paint the chicken wire and paint the wood, buy a bunch of S hooks, and hang your kitchen utensils and light pots on them.

* Ditto and use it in your child's room to clip-hang pictures, toys, etc.

* Make a version using heavy rectangular wire fencing (Farm Store) for hanging heavy tools in your shop. You can use an old aluminum window frame as a frame, or 2x3 lumber on the top and bottom only, and can eliminate the back panel. You can use a similar one in the kitchen for heavy pots.

* Use one to clip-hang plastic sandwich bags holding various hardware (or see Can-Do Organization), extension cords, flashlights and other utility items. You can even hang old steel juice cans on it to hold other this-n-that-a.

* Use one to hang drying flowers. It can be mounted horizontally near the ceiling for this as well.

* Make a heavy-duty wire fencing model that hangs at an angle from the wall, about 3+ feet over the floor. Slip the handle of garden tools into the mesh, or hang D-handle items from DIY-made heavy wire S hooks.

* Fasten a panel on the back of your utility room door. No plywood panel needed.

* The uses are endless. Send us a pic of yours.