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Author Topic: A modest take on van racking  (Read 10736 times)

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Offline Joseph C

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A modest take on van racking
« on: April 24, 2013, 01:38 AM »
Several years ago, after I switched over to a commercial van from a pickup, I decided to build some shelving.  At the time, I had a few Festools, and lots of other things, and built some shelving to accommodate what I had.
I recently pulled out the old shelving, modified it, and built a new storage plinth for the bottom of the van bed.   I used to store my rails and levels on the top shelf.  If I started to have too much up there with template material, et al, the levels or rails could bounce off the top shelf and onto everything else.  All the long stuff is now stowed in the storage plinth for protection and easy access. It's been a game-changer!

I also bought new T-Locs for several of my tools and repurposed the old style systainers for other items.

This van definitely isn't as fancy or dialed as some others, but my friend suggested that something as simple as this warranted sharing as well.

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TS75, OF1010, PS300, Domino500, MFT/3, CT22 + WCR, CT MIDI, RS2e, RO150, ETS150, DS400, RO90, Grex 2" micropinner (festool green), and packing everything else into systainers, too.

Offline Joseph C

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Re: A modest take on van racking
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2013, 01:57 AM »
One of my favorite features is having all four of my guiderails available (to the left)  My 2700 is on the bottom, with the 1900 and 1400 above, and the rail from the MFT is on top.  Each slot has a stop appropriate to its length.  Because of the bracket on the MFT rail, and to maximize storage, I added a lid that lifts up at the back left of the van to better access the rails.

The next slot is for my quiver of Stabila levels, 1/4" mdf template material, and a jig I use to support narrow scribes.  

The two other slots are for long clamps and a set of Fastcap Third Hands.  These two slots do not need the full depth of the plinth, so I made another storage hatch forward of them with a flush-mounted piano hinge.  This also allows me to make sure that nothing gets stuck at the back of these slots.

To the far right I have a storage "trough."  Most of the time it lets me tuck my SawHelper wings and other lumber out of the way.  I also included this so that I could still slide 48" wide sheets into the van vertically.  When I need to pick up plywood, the SawHelper wings and such move out of the way.

One of my other favorite features is the taller platform on the right side over the wheel well.  It's wide enough to accommodate the MFT, two pairs of Fatmax sawhorses, and the SawHelper stand tucks into the MFT.  I actually use to strap these things to the right side before, too, but they would always slide down the wheel well and become a mess.  Now I have some extra cubbies for shrinkwrap, some jobsite speakers, a bag of straps/tiedowns, and the MFT fence.

I used a phenolic-coated formply for the plinth top, which has its pluses and minuses.  The good thing is that it is super durable and easy to slide things around on. The downside is that it is super easy for things to slide around on  ;)
I made some removable 2" tall partitions with 5mm dominos glued in (tight setting), and then bored matching mortises in the top at the medium setting.  These help keep things from moving around too much.  I bored the top at a full 20mm depth so that sawdust couldn't accumulate in the holes.

« Last Edit: April 24, 2013, 02:34 AM by Joseph C »
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TS75, OF1010, PS300, Domino500, MFT/3, CT22 + WCR, CT MIDI, RS2e, RO150, ETS150, DS400, RO90, Grex 2" micropinner (festool green), and packing everything else into systainers, too.

Offline WPeters

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Re: A modest take on van racking
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2013, 07:47 AM »
Very Nice setup!  I like how you have part of the deck where the miter saw is stored hinged.  Also..the rail storage looks really handy.....Sprinter van??
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Offline Eli

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  • A Yankee in Kangaroo Court
Re: A modest take on van racking
« Reply #3 on: April 24, 2013, 08:04 AM »
Looks Good! Thanks for sharing :)
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Offline Peter Halle

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Re: A modest take on van racking
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2013, 08:25 AM »
Very interesting setup!  Love the rail storage like others.

I took the liberty of downloading an image and lightening it so I could see more details.  Others might be able to see more:

85715-0

Peter
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Offline Joseph C

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Re: A modest take on van racking
« Reply #5 on: April 24, 2013, 11:56 AM »
Quote from: WPeters on April 24, 2013, 07:47 AM
.....Sprinter van??

I wish! It's a 97 Ford E250 V8 with 180k on it (with no problems so far, knock on wood)

Peter, thanks for brightening the image. 
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TS75, OF1010, PS300, Domino500, MFT/3, CT22 + WCR, CT MIDI, RS2e, RO150, ETS150, DS400, RO90, Grex 2" micropinner (festool green), and packing everything else into systainers, too.
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