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Choosing a Tool Board.
There are many different types of tool boards. Here we'll discuss the various types of tool board wall organizers. These will include:
- Standard Masonite type pegboard (both 1/8 and 1/4 inch)
- Acrylic and metal pegboard
- Advanced types of metal pegboard
- Slotwall type wall panels
- The type used by the NAPA Auto Parts Stores
Let's start with one that you create from scratch, basic
Masonite pegboard.
It has a few advantages, being available in both 1/8-inch (which also only accepts 1/8-inch hooks), and the heavier 1/4-inch style (which accepts both 1/8 and 1/4-inch hooks). The lighter stuff is only good for hobbyists that use small tools. It is too light for heavier tools, and the hooks themselves aren't designed for, nor are they strong enough for heavier tools. If you try to put too much weight on either of them, the board and hooks can bend out of shape, and even tear out the board.
The 1/4-inch style of board and hooks is better, but still has its limitations, however both sizes are readily available, inexpensive, and easy to work with. On either size, you need to create a framework behind them to build them out from a flat wall, otherwise you can't put the hooks in. They usually need a minimum of 1/2-inch of dead space behind them for hook clearance.
You can get pegboard ready-made in several different colors, including woodgrain and a brushed metallic look, but neither of these do much to improve the durability of it. The product itself is subject to absorbing moisture, which means that it will soak up oils as well as water, and when it does, it expands, loses strength, becomes discolored and unsightly, and is basically ruined.
The biggest drawback is that the hooks are generally poorly fitting and loose, so that every time you remove a tool from the board, the hook tends to come off with it, and usually falls behind the workbench where you can't find it! There are some plastic retainer straps available, and they help to keep the hooks on the board, but then you lose the use of the holes on either side, keeping you from using them for other attachments. Also, they are hard to remove if you want to rearrange the hooks.
Acrylic and metal pegboard.
The second type of pegboard is very similar to the first, except that it is made of either acrylic or metal. This makes it more durable, as acrylics can be used in wet or acidic locations, such as garden sheds, or chemical labs. Aluminum might also be used in such locations if you can keep it from oxidizing, but other types of metal is definitely not a choice for those applications. And then you still have the problem of the hooks falling off.
Advanced types of metal pegboard.
Some manufacturers have come out with different types of metal tool boards, but I hesitate to refer to them as "pegboard" since the hooks are not "pegs". Some have square holes and require a completely different attachment system than regular pegboard. Some have hooks that lock into the holes, while others require some kind of screw attachment. Others use vertical slots, or a combination of slots and holes to mount their hooks and
attachments. However, I have found through personal use that many of the slotted types allow the hooks to wobble from side to side. They may be more difficult to knock a hook off accidentally than regular pegboard, but it can be done.
Most of these metal boards now come with a "powder coated" finish, which is extremely durable. It is applied by an electrostatic system which draws the powder to every nook and crevice of the surface, and then is baked on, for a very hard and durable surface, almost like
porcelain. Most boards of this type are made in various sizes, depending on the manufacturer, and have bent or rolled edges, therefore creating their own spacing behind them for the hooks. Usually they can be mounted through pre-punched holes around the edge, or through any of the attachment holes in the board.
Some require spacers be used behind the mounting screw location.
The big disadvantage of these boards is that they are very difficult to bend or cut to size, or to even cut out an opening, such as around an electrical device. Once you break the surface paint, it will never be the same again, and can be a starting point for rust to develop. Magnetic tool silhouettes are available with some, although limited to the more common tools. For specialty tools you would have to locate some magnetic sheets and cut your own silhouettes.
Slotwall type wall organizers.
Still another type of tool board isn't designed for "pegs" at all, and that is the "slotwall" type of products which uses horizontal slots usually spaced 4-inches apart. Unlike the type used in stores in the past (which is basically particle board covered with a laminate), the newer products are made of a heavy, very durable plastic type material. These have the advantage of being much stronger, lighter, and can be used in wet or oily areas. They are available in several different colors including woodgrain.
They do have many, many more hooks and attachments to go with the boards than any conventional tool board that we have seen, and are great for outfitting large areas, but for someone who only wants tool organization for a small area, may be impractical due to the minimum size order
required to get them. The panels come in 4 to 8 foot lengths, and will probably have to be cut and fit for your own application. Usually special hangers and trim pieces are required to make the job look finished. Although the selection of attachments can be huge, sometimes the selection can be overwhelming to someone just wanting to hang up a few hand tools. Sometimes the cost of the panels and hooks can be higher than other types, but also, some are made big enough to hold things like ladders and canoes.
The Toolsorter style tool board.
The other type of board which doesn't fit into any of the categories above, can be much better for some applications than any of those mentioned above. It is nearly 3/4-inch thick, and made of a heavy (11 pounds per board),
high rubber content styrene material. It is just hard enough to retain its shape, even with heavy weights attached to it, and yet resilient enough to allow the insertion of the hooks into the slightly tapered holes in the material and hang onto them so they don't fall out by themselves.
It doesn't need painting (in fact it isn't even recommended, otherwise you might plug the holes), and it's natural dark gray color hides and repels oils and liquids, and the finish can easily be cleaned. The material is suitable for oily or wet locations, such as around swimming pools, garden sheds, or even auto wash facilities.
Since the thickness of the board holds the hooks, the board is flat on the back and doesn't need any space or spacers behind it, making it very easy to install on any kind of wall with only four screws through any of the corner holes, or wherever a wall stud happens to be.
You can screw through any of the peg holes to mount it to practically any
surface or any spacing.
Although there are only three pin types presently available, those pins can be used vertically or horizontally, allowing a lot of flexibility in hanging all kinds of things besides tools. The hooks fit tight, so they won't wobble from side to side, or fall out, so if you use two hooks for hanging something like a shovel, they won't separate or spread apart. And yet, if you need to reposition them, they can be pulled out to use in a different hole with very little difficulty.
If you need special shelving, or other attachments, it can be easily added by
using 1/2-inch long sheet metal screws into any of the pin holes on the board.
There are also parts bins available for this board, so that you can add as many small parts as you want. There is also a marking pen available (in white) so you can create your own tool silhouettes by simply marking around the perimeter of the tool, no matter what it is. If you decide to change the location, the silhouette can be easily removed and redrawn in the new tool position. This makes it easy to see when a tool is missing, and where it needs to go back to, saving a lot of time looking for lost tools, and money
spent in replacing them. Also, the white outline pencil is much more cost
effective than a bunch of custom stamped magnetic silhouettes, which can be very
expensive.
The board has nicely finished edges, so they can be grouped together easily, and yet can be easily cut to special sizes, or for electrical openings.
Credibility of any product means a lot, also, and the fact that this board has been chosen by the NAPA Auto Parts Stores for use in over 6000 of its stores to hold display merchandise says quite a lot. Auto parts can be very heavy, since many of them are made of metal, and these boards have been proven to hold up to such weights. In fact, it has been demonstrated that one board can easily hold over 160 pounds of athletic weights with no problem!
The uses are nearly endless. They are nice looking enough to be used in residential closets, hobby rooms, or craft areas, and yet strong enough to hold heavy tools for earth moving equipment. The 24 x 30-inch size is a good standard size to be used on walls, or over work benches, and yet can be modified easily for special installations. The cost is much less than you would pay for metal boards, making them affordable for anyone. They will last a lifetime, can be easily removed from the wall, and moved from place to place. This makes the cost of ownership next to nothing! Couple that with the savings from not having to replace lost tools, and the time
saved in finding the tools to get the job done, and they practically pay you to own them! What more could you want?
Let us know your thoughts on what kind of board works best for you.
John W. Abert, author
All Rights Reserved
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NEWS FLASH!
posted 8/23/10
We are now providing custom
packages on eBay, under the azgrand001
username. We also have other things offered there, so please check it out! We
will be adding more listings and more products as we have time, so bookmark our
page and come back often!
Some items we stock are:
Cart Mount Systems
Wrench Grippers
Stubby Grippers
Socket Racks
Screwdriver Rails
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Accessories:
Ratchet and Extension Holders
Face Mount
Side Mount
Socket Clips
Wheel Pro
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