In any active workshop, efficient organization is key to productivity, safety, and the longevity of your tools. For many woodworkers, track saws have become indispensable, offering precision and portability for sheet goods and long cuts. However, storing their lengthy tracks can often be a challenge. They are cumbersome, easily damaged if not stored properly, and can quickly clutter valuable floor or wall space. This guide introduces a custom-built, highly effective storage solution specifically designed for track saw tracks, utilizing the versatile French cleat system.
Moving forward with smaller, impactful workshop projects is an excellent way to maintain momentum, even when larger endeavors like the Calderwood Cottage project are on hold. After setting up a new French cleat wall section in my workshop to accommodate tools that outgrew my existing drawer storage, it became clear that my track saw tracks needed a dedicated, accessible home. Previously, they hung on a pegboard wall, but the 8-foot tracks were awkwardly high and difficult to retrieve or put away. This new French cleat system provides a compact and secure solution, holding all five of my tracks with room to spare, occupying a mere 9 inches in vertical height. The horizontal space required will depend on the length of your tracks; for my setup, it utilized 9 inches across an 8-foot section of the French cleat wall, proving how minimal the footprint can be for such an essential storage upgrade.
Revolutionize Your Workshop with French Cleat Storage for Track Saw Tracks
The French cleat system stands as a beacon of intelligent workshop organization, offering unparalleled flexibility and customizability. For items like track saw tracks, which are long, relatively delicate, and often used frequently, a dedicated and secure storage method is paramount. Leaning them against a wall risks damage and creates a tripping hazard, while overhead storage can be impractical for daily use. This DIY French cleat storage system directly addresses these issues, providing a robust, accessible, and space-saving solution that keeps your tracks protected and readily available.
By integrating your track saw storage into a French cleat wall, you gain immediate advantages. The system allows for quick rearrangement of tools, adapting to your evolving workflow without the need for new mounting holes. Your tracks are held securely, preventing dings, scratches, or warping that can compromise cutting accuracy. Furthermore, this design ensures they are elevated off the floor, freeing up valuable workspace and enhancing safety by removing potential obstacles. This project isn’t just about storage; it’s about optimizing your workshop for greater efficiency and extending the life of your precision tools.
Essential Materials and Tools for Your Track Saw Storage Project
Building this robust track saw storage solution requires a selection of common woodworking materials and tools. Opting for quality materials ensures the durability and stability of your finished brackets, providing long-lasting support for your valuable track saw tracks.
Materials You’ll Need:
- 3/4″ Thick Plywood: This is the backbone of your storage brackets. Its inherent strength and stability make it ideal for supporting heavy items like track saw tracks without sagging or warping. You’ll need:
- Six pieces cut to 1 1/2″ x 9″ (These will form the “arms” and outer “side pieces” of each bracket).
- Four pieces cut to 3/4″ x 3/4″ (These serve as internal “spacers” within the bracket, creating the slots for your tracks).
- Wood Glue: A high-quality wood glue is essential as it forms the primary bond for these brackets. Ensure it’s suitable for strong, permanent joints and allows for adequate open time for assembly.
- Clamps: A variety of woodworking clamps (bar clamps, F-clamps, or C-clamps) are indispensable for applying consistent pressure while the glue dries, ensuring strong, flat, and square joints.
Tools Required:
- Table Saw (or Circular Saw with a Guide): Necessary for accurately cutting plywood pieces to dimension and creating the 45-degree bevel for the French cleat.
- Measuring Tape and Pencil: For precise marking and measurement.
- Safety Glasses and Ear Protection: Always prioritize personal safety when operating power tools.
- Belt Sander (Optional): Useful for rounding over edges, enhancing aesthetics, and preventing snags. A router with a round-over bit or even sandpaper can achieve similar results.
- GRR-RIPPER 3D Pushblock (Highly Recommended): An invaluable safety tool for making small, precise cuts on a table saw, keeping your hands away from the blade.
- Scrap Wood Pieces: Useful for backing up cuts, providing clamping cauls, and creating level surfaces during glue-ups.
Precision Cutting and Preparation for Optimal Storage Brackets
The success of your track saw storage brackets hinges on accurate cuts and careful preparation. Taking the time to ensure each piece is dimensionally precise will result in strong, perfectly aligned brackets that function flawlessly with your French cleat system.
Step 1: Cutting the Plywood Components
Begin by cutting your 3/4-inch plywood into the specified dimensions. Accuracy here is paramount. For the “arms” and “side pieces,” cut six pieces at 1 1/2 inches by 9 inches. For the internal “spacers,” cut four pieces at 3/4 inch by 3/4 inch. When cutting these smaller pieces, especially the 3/4″ x 3/4″ spacers, safety should be your top priority. Small offcuts can easily get pinched or kick back. I highly recommend using a GRR-RIPPER 3D Pushblock. This tool provides superior control and protection, allowing you to feed small pieces through the saw blade safely and consistently. Additionally, placing a piece of scrap wood behind the cut helps to keep the small pieces moving forward smoothly until they are completely clear of the sawblade, preventing tear-out and dangerous kickbacks.
Step 2: Optional Edge Rounding for Comfort and Aesthetics
While not strictly necessary for functionality, rounding the ends of the bracket arms adds a touch of refinement and improves user comfort. Sharp edges can snag clothing or scrape hands, and softening them makes the overall interaction with the storage system more pleasant. I used a belt sander to gently round these edges, transforming them from harsh corners into smooth, appealing curves. If you don’t have a belt sander, a router with a small round-over bit, or even careful sanding by hand, can achieve similar results. This small detail significantly enhances the finished look and feel of your DIY project.
Assembling Your Track Saw Storage Brackets with Precision
The strength and functionality of your track saw storage brackets heavily rely on proper assembly, particularly the glue-up process. These brackets are designed to hold together purely with wood glue, making careful application and clamping crucial for a lasting hold.
Step 1: Preparing for Glue-Up
Before applying any glue, it’s a good practice to perform a dry fit. Arrange all your “arms” (1 1/2″ x 9″) and “spacers” (3/4″ x 3/4″) between two of the “side pieces” (also 1 1/2″ x 9″) to visualize the assembly and ensure all pieces fit correctly. The arrangement should be: one “side piece,” followed by an “arm,” then a “spacer,” then another “arm,” and so on, ending with a “spacer” before the final “side piece.” This creates four distinct slots for your tracks.
Step 2: Applying Glue and Staggering Components
To begin the actual assembly, lay one of the 1 1/2″ x 9″ “side pieces” flat. Apply a generous, even layer of wood glue to the inside surface where the “arms” and “spacers” will make contact. Then, carefully place the components in their staggered sequence: start with an “arm,” then a “spacer,” followed by an “arm,” and continue this pattern until you end with a “spacer.” Ensure that glue is applied to all mating surfaces of the “arms” and “spacers” where they will touch both the side piece you just glued and the other “side piece” you will add next. This ensures maximum surface contact and bond strength.
Step 3: Attaching the Second Side Piece
Once all the “arms” and “spacers” are in place and glued to the first “side piece,” apply glue generously to the top surfaces of all these staggered components. Then, carefully align and place the remaining 1 1/2″ x 9″ “side piece” on top, pressing down firmly to ensure good contact across all glued surfaces. Take a moment to check that all pieces are flush and properly aligned, making any minor adjustments before clamping.
Step 4: The Art of Clamping for a Flat and Strong Joint
Proper clamping is critical, especially since these brackets rely solely on glue for their structural integrity. Use multiple clamps across the width of the bracket to apply even pressure. A common challenge during glue-ups is that the pressure from clamps can sometimes cause the pieces to lift or buckle slightly, leading to an uneven surface. For these brackets to function correctly on a French cleat wall, they must be perfectly flat.
To achieve this, I employed a simple yet effective technique: I placed a small scrap of paper or a thin shim between my bracket and a larger scrap of wood underneath. This elevated the bracket slightly off the workbench, providing better leverage for the clamps and allowing me to apply direct downward pressure. Furthermore, I placed another flat scrap of wood across the entire width of the bracket’s top surface. This acts as a cauld, distributing the clamping pressure evenly and ensuring both side pieces remain flat and parallel while the wood glue sets and dries completely. Allow ample time for the glue to cure, ideally overnight, before removing the clamps and proceeding to the next step.
Crafting and Attaching the French Cleat for Your Brackets
The French cleat is the magical component that allows your custom storage brackets to hang securely and interchangeably on your workshop wall. Understanding its mechanics and ensuring precise execution are vital for a functional system.
Understanding the French Cleat Mechanism
A French cleat system consists of two interlocking pieces, each beveled at a 45-degree angle. One piece (the wall cleat) is securely fastened to your workshop wall, running horizontally. The other piece (the bracket cleat) is attached to the back of your storage device – in this case, your track saw storage brackets. When the bracket cleat is lowered onto the wall cleat, the opposing angles create a strong, wedge-like mechanical lock that holds the bracket firmly in place. This design allows for easy mounting, removal, and rearrangement of your storage solutions.
Step 1: Cutting the Bracket Cleat
For your track saw storage bracket, you’ll need a cleat that matches its width. The total width of the assembled bracket is 3 3/4 inches, so cut a piece of 3/4-inch plywood to this width. The height of this specific cleat isn’t as critical as its width and angle, but ensuring it’s robust enough for a secure attachment is important. The most crucial aspect, especially if you plan to make multiple brackets, is that all your bracket cleats are cut to precisely the same height. This consistency guarantees that all your storage solutions will align perfectly when hung on the French cleat wall, creating a neat and organized aesthetic.
Once you have your blank, set your table saw blade to a 45-degree angle and carefully cut the bevel along one long edge of the plywood strip. Always use appropriate safety gear and push sticks when making angled cuts on a table saw.
Step 2: Attaching the Cleat to the Bracket
With your bracket cleat cut and beveled, it’s time to attach it to the back of your newly assembled track saw storage bracket. Apply a generous amount of wood glue to the flat back surface of the storage bracket where the cleat will be positioned. Then, carefully place the French cleat onto the glued surface. It is absolutely vital to ensure the angle of the cleat is facing the correct way – specifically, the beveled edge should point upwards and away from the bracket when viewed from the front. This allows it to slide into place and properly engage with the fixed cleat on your French cleat wall.
Once positioned, clamp the cleat firmly to the bracket until the glue is completely dry. For added security and peace of mind, especially for items that will hold valuable tools, you might also consider pre-drilling and adding a few countersunk screws from the back of the bracket into the cleat. This combination of glue and screws creates an incredibly strong bond, ensuring your tracks are held securely for years to come.
Installation, Versatility, and the Benefits of Organized Track Storage
Once your custom French cleat track saw storage brackets are fully assembled and the glue has cured, it’s time to put them to work. The true beauty of this system lies in its ease of installation and inherent flexibility.
Hanging on Your French Cleat Wall
Simply lift your newly built bracket and hook its attached French cleat onto the corresponding wall cleat that is already installed in your workshop. The 45-degree angles will interlock, securing the bracket firmly against the wall. This allows you to slide the bracket horizontally along the wall cleat, positioning your track saw tracks exactly where you need them most. The system provides immediate, effortless access to your tracks, ensuring they are always within reach but never in the way.
Versatile Mounting Options for Any Workshop
Even if you haven’t yet committed to a full French cleat wall system, these storage brackets remain incredibly useful. Their robust design allows for direct mounting onto any sturdy wall. To do this, simply drive appropriate screws through the side panels of the bracket and directly into wall studs. This provides a secure, permanent mounting solution that still keeps your tracks organized and off the floor. Depending on your available wall space and preference, direct mounting can be an excellent alternative, offering the same core benefits of protection and accessibility without the need for a comprehensive cleat system.
Experience the Transformative Power of Proper Tool Storage
Regardless of whether you choose the dynamic French cleat system or a direct wall mount, the advantages of this dedicated track saw storage are undeniable. I absolutely cherish having these tracks off the floor, no longer precariously tilted against a wall, where they were constantly getting knocked over or bumped. My track saw tracks are tools I utilize daily, making easy and quick access paramount. Yet, when not in use, they need to be safely out of the immediate workspace. This custom storage solution perfectly achieves that balance.
By investing a small amount of time and effort into building these brackets, you significantly enhance your workshop’s functionality and safety. Your tracks are protected from damage, your workspace is clearer, and your workflow becomes more efficient. The satisfaction of a well-organized shop, especially when it comes to long and specific tools like track saw tracks, is immense. I am thoroughly pleased with how effectively this storage system addresses a common workshop challenge, making my daily woodworking tasks smoother and more enjoyable.
