BigTallDad Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 (edited) I decided to build a storage rack for Xacto knives. The first attempt, using a distributor cap, was a dismal failure...when I had the blades pointing up it was (let's not go there) and when they were pointing down I couldn't see which one it was and they got very dull very quickly. I decided to use a horizontal array and stack them vertically, ala the Easy Rider Rifle RackAt the top is the "utility" handle; next is the BMF (I put a pencil eraser on it, so it won't roll, can be identified, and when I switch blades on the utility handle, I move the eraser to that handle), then come the various other blades. The bottom slot is the scriber, and the chisel point is on the base. Start by taping two pieces of wood together, then drill 3/8" or 1/2" holes about 1" apart, drilling towards the back of vertical center. Then using a scroll saw or a sabre/razor/etc. saw, cut the openings; make sure there is a bit of upwards slope, so the great god of gravity can exert his influence. Take the tape off and glue to a base. I'm using seven slots; if you go higher, increase the size of the base. The nice thing about it is the small footprint and ease of access, allowing me to put it on the back of my workbench. Edited May 26, 2015 by BigTallDad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintagercr Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Ray, that is a great idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Awesome idea... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveM Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Excellent! I usually ending up storing Xacto knives in the top of my foot. (Okay, only once, but I sure didn't want to repeat it.) I store them in a small pencil tray, and I try to keep some type of roll stopper on them. I might have to try your rack design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxer Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 I like that idea .. for all the small files hiding under something on my workbench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Ed Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Ray, Great Idea and execution. Given your past history with sharp instruments you might want to add a 2 - 3" sheet of clear Plastic to the blade side of the Rack as a shield. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Great looking rack. Like you and many others, I like the eraser on the handle to keep the things from rolling around. What I've done is use different colored erasers to denote what I would use that blade for. You just have to remember what color is witch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyjim Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Pretty cool idea. Why so many Xacto knives though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTallDad Posted May 26, 2015 Author Share Posted May 26, 2015 Ray, Great Idea and execution. Given your past history with sharp instruments you might want to add a 2 - 3" sheet of clear Plastic to the blade side of the Rack as a shield. Huh? I've carried a pocket knife for 65 years and my knives are always sharp enough to shave hair. I've never cut myself to the point of requiring stitches. Adding a plastic shield might make it difficult to remove the tool from the cradle; as it is, you lift the handle straight out of the slots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTallDad Posted May 26, 2015 Author Share Posted May 26, 2015 Pretty cool idea. Why so many Xacto knives though? I currently have two knives with #11 blades (utility and BMF), a #14 blade, a curved blade, a chisel-point blade, a photo-etch saw blade, and a swivel-point blade. That way I don't have to bother changing blades all that often (assuming I can even find the blades to begin with). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
426-Hemi Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 -I have much the same set up, with multiple exacto knives...... This would be GREAT mounted to the wall behind the work bench! Hmmmmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTallDad Posted May 26, 2015 Author Share Posted May 26, 2015 -I have much the same set up, with multiple exacto knives...... This would be GREAT mounted to the wall behind the work bench! Hmmmmm For a wall mount, I'd get rid of the base and use two French cleats attached to the back. http://newwoodworker.com/frenchcleat.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tesla Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Great idea Ray! I really enjoy reading your tips and tricks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gasser59 Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 Great idea Ray although I have about 25 to 30 X-Actos with various items in them like different blades, PE saw blades and the smaller of the drill bits. I took a piece of oak and drilled holes in it to set the back end of the X-Acto handle in with the working end up. For the ones with blades and the tiniest bits, I keep the plastic cover on them so I don't puncture myself. I use different colors and different combinations of colors of narrowed down electrical tape to indicate the size of the bit. I'll get some pictures up this evening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 ... I usually ending up storing Xacto knives in the top of my foot. At least you always know exactly where they are. Must save a lot of time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunkypeanutbutter Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 I just found a big four-by-four beam chunk and drilled a bunch of holes in it. Still, not everyone has those lying around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
426-Hemi Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 For a wall mount, I'd get rid of the base and use two French cleats attached to the back. http://newwoodworker.com/frenchcleat.html Thats how I hung my white "Unimat" cabinet seen in my remodling of my shop thread.... GREAT idea! http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=102856 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gasser59 Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 Finally able to get a picture posted of my tool rack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
426-Hemi Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 Finally able to get a picture posted of my tool rack. NIICELY done Oak stand! I do the same thing for the files I use and I'm gonna be doin the same thing for the bits around my Dremels and even machine bench for placements of common used bits..... Mine however will be done from Maple, its what I have to do it with thats hardwood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTallDad Posted June 21, 2015 Author Share Posted June 21, 2015 Nice looking storage unit. When you were making it, did you consider placing each outer row of holes at a slight angle? That would allow better access to tools in the center row. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
426-Hemi Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 Ray, thats a GREAT point! Specially the outter rows, being slightly canted outward to allow to grab them, and allow space for the center row. I'll be doing something similar to this just to hold "bits" for Dremels and drill bits of small diameter in my new work bench so... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gasser59 Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 Nice looking storage unit. When you were making it, did you consider placing each outer row of holes at a slight angle? That would allow better access to tools in the center row. No I didn't Ray and now wish I had. It never occurred to me. Great suggestion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinfan5 Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 That is really cool(photo in post #1) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Rick Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 Nice rack Ray ....uh .... you know what I mean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTalmage Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 I like that. I think I'd mount mine to the wall to save desk space as well... I'm running out of room w/ all my tools/paints/etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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