10 Specialized Work Stations to Keep Your Shop Organized

Last modified: March 5, 2024

Sometimes centralization is great-I've got all my tools in one gigantic rolling cabinet so I always know where they are.  Except when I leave one laying where I used it last because I got distracted or forgot about it.

There's an alternate theory of organization, one that believes not only that centralization needs to be mobile, but that grouping things by task is also a good idea.  For example, we wrote about Adam Savage's (he of the Mythbusters) idea that he wanted rolling carts for his tool where every tool is exposed and visible rather than giant tool cabinets where everything is hidden in drawers.

Kindly provide the text that needs to be rephrased.

Do you need an alternative to drawers full of jumbled tools?

This post is all about purpose-made stations.  They gather everything needed to perform some specific task.  Often, they're on wheels so they can be taken to where the work is needed and then rolled back out of the way once the job is done.  Check out our photo essay of this approach to organization:

Compact polishing stand with built-in vice and drawers.

Polishing and sharpening station...

Sturdy gray metal cart with multiple shelves and mounted grinders in various colors.

Grinder and Buffer station...

Red portable compressor cart with attached tools and black hose on a white background.

Compressor and air tool station...

Red Lincoln Electric welder on mobile cart with tools and equipment in front of white wall with blue trim.

Welding station...

Blue cart with black top and drawer, filled with colored wire spools on wheels.

Wiring station.  Needs to tool storage for wiring and soldering on racks, perhaps along the back.  Should also have storage for common electrical connectors and such...

A homemade vise stand crafted from an old tire, featuring a metal vise attached to a wooden base with tools and accessories.

Vise station: stuff that's handy when I work at the vise...

Stainless steel tool holder station with three tiers and wheeled cart.

Toolholder Station.  Everything I need to set up my machine for a job...

A green and yellow Shop Vac Station with attached hose, used in machine shops or fabrication environments.

Shopvac station.  It'd be nice to hide vac and cyclone inside the cabinet and put all manner of clean-up gear on the outside racks...

Wooden tool organizer with various tools stored inside, featuring multiple compartments and shelves holding wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers.

Small part assembly station.  Use a Japan Rack to carry related tools to where they're needed.

Gray caddy stocked with hand cleaner and safety goggles, mounted with paper towel roll.

Cleanup station.  I'd make one with a handle on top and feet so it could be popped off the wall and taken to the site of a mess...

I could imagine many more specialized stations:

Here's another great article on Workshop Organization.

Tell us what kinds of specialized work stations you've used or would like to create for your own shop in the comments below.

Be the first to know about updates at CNC Cookbook

Join our newsletter to get updates on what's next at CNC Cookbook.