To build your own trimmer rack, it’s always a good idea to have all materials on hand. A trimmer rack is a great project for any home. It will serve as a tool rack for your string trimmer, whether it’s electric or gas-powered.
In this article, you’ll find easy and simple ways to make your very own rack for your trimmer.
How Can You Make Your Own DIY Trimmer Rack?
You can make your own DIY trimmer rack by first determining the design and preparing the materials and, in the end, piecing everything together. Trimmer racks go a long way to help homeowners stay organized. These racks can always be placed in trailers, sheds, garages, or basements.
These are especially helpful for storing string trimmers. These types of trimmers are hard to organize due to their irregular shapes.
As such, trimmer racks on walls make for the best storage solution. Since trimmer racks can be a bit expensive, building them yourself is the most cost-effective method while customizing their shapes and uses.
You could buy a prefab trimmer rack as many home centers sell the latest models for trimmer racks complete with the best designs and materials. However, they can be expensive. Some of the most common models are the green touch trimmer rack, trimmer rack harbor freight, and green touch racks.
However, if you want to polish up your woodworking skills without shelling out too much money, then making a DIY trimmer rack for zero turn mower or any type of trimmer is the best way to go.
– Determine the Design
Some homeowners advocate for horizontal storage when it comes to hanging their trimmers. Others, however, believe that hanging them vertically is a better way.
Vertical storage of trimmers means that you get to save more space while preventing any unwanted leaks. Aside from these benefits, you also ensure that your trimmers do not cause accidents when you load and unload them from their racks.
Your design will go a long way to making sure that you don’t damage your weed eater. Plus, always make sure that your design will be versatile enough to help you store other machines, tools, and equipment you have or may have in the future.
– Prepare the Materials
The design for the racks is quite simple, yet sturdy. You can easily use any leftover materials you have on hand. However, if you plan to make more than one or two, then you might need to buy a whole sheet of thick plywood.
To make your own trimmer racks, you’ll need the following materials:
- A sheet of 3/4 inch plywood
- A piece of 10 inches by 8 inches lumber
- A piece of 7 1/2 inches by 8 inches lumber
- Two pieces of triangular wood cut into 4 inches by 4 inches on two sides
- 12 pieces of 1 1/2 -inch screws
- Pencil or pen
- Tape measure
- Drill
- Wood glue
- Clamps (optional)
- Compass (optional)
When working with tools, always make sure that you are wearing protective clothes, glasses, gloves, and masks. Work in an open or well-ventilated area as well. If you have children or pets at home, keep them away. They could be exposed to unwanted risks and possible accidents.
– Measure the Dimensions of Your Trimmer
Now it’s time to get the measurement of the rack’s main holder that will support the throat of your trimmer. It is important that we get this right so the slot has just enough space to hold the trimmer securely without causing it to slip or get damaged.
The rack for the trimmer features a round cutout with an opening. The opening serves as an entry to the shaft or handle of the trimmer to pass. The larger round cutout serves as the seat for the trimmer.
Simply measure the diameter of the shaft or handle of your trimmer. The placement should be just below where you want the trimmer to sit on the rack.
Generally, trimmers end up with a diameter of two inches, although some trimmers can require a larger diameter. Write down your measurements so you won’t forget them.
Next, measure the base of the trimmer’s engine. The point of measurement should not be at the widest diameter of the trimmer. Rather, the measurement should be done in a way that the engine can sit securely on the seat support without wiggling loose.
Finally, measure the distance from the back of your trimmer’s engine to the center of its shaft or handle. This will help the trimmer stay upright once it is placed on its rack.
The point of the design is to allow the whole trimmer to pass through the seat by its handle before being lowered securely on the inner cutout. This helps eliminate your trimmer from moving or from accidental gas leaking.
– Prepare the Pieces of Wood
Take out the piece of 10 inches by 8 inches wood and lay it on a flat workbench. Mark the center, which should be 5 inches from both ends of the wood 10-inch piece of wood.
Next, take out the piece of 7 1/2 inches by 8 inches wood. Lay the 8-inch side at the center, forming an upside-down T. This piece will be used to hold the trimmer while the 10 inches by 8 inches piece of wood will be used as the base for the wall support.
Place the two pieces of triangular wood on each side of the assembled pieces of wood. These will act as support to hold the rack against the weight of the trimmer.
On the 10-inch by 8-inch piece of wood, trace each side of the 7 ½ inches by 8 inches piece of wood. This will allow you to see where you can mark the spots to drill the pilot holes.
Mark the spots where you plan to make pilot holes. Ideally, there should be three spots, with the outer two 1 inch from each edge. The third spot for your pilot hole should be right in the middle of the two.
– Drill the Pilot Holes
Now that you have marked the spots for your pilot holes, prepare to drill them. At this point, if you happen to have wood glue or clamps, it would be the best time to use them to help keep all the wood pieces in place. Once everything is securely in place, you can now drill your pilot holes.
– Prepare the Triangular Wooden Supports
Lay out the triangular pieces of wooden supports and mark the spots where you plan to drill pilot holes. For these pieces, mark two spots each to help you determine the exact locations for your pilot holes.
Ensure that both triangular pieces lay flat on the 7 1/2 inches by 8 inches piece of wood. Secure both pieces to this piece and drill your pilot holes.
– Mark the Slot for the Seat of the Trimmer
On the 7 1/2 inches by 8 inches piece of wood, mark the center with your pencil or pen. This is the spot where the seat of your trimmer will sit.
Using the marked center, draw a circle using your compass. However, if you don’t have one, you can always use a round object nearest to the diameter of your trimmer’s seat.
Without a compass, you have to make doubly sure that the circle is located as accurately as possible. Most trimmers have a typical diameter of three inches, although the measurement can depend on the make and model of your trimmer.
Next, mark an entry point from the edge of the wood to the circle where your cutout will be. This will be where the handle of your trimmer will pass through.
Double-check the handle of your trimmer to make sure it can pass through this entry point easily. While most handles require two inches, your trimmer may require narrower or wider access for its handle. Once you have everything measured, traced, and double-checked, you can begin cutting.
– Piece Everything Together
Now that you have everything prepared, it’s time to put them together. Fasten the large pieces of wood first with your screws.
Next, use your screws to attach the triangular wooden supports to the assembled larger piece. Drill correctly to avoid the wood from breaking or splitting.
The rack for your trimmer is now assembled and complete. All you need to do is hang it wherever you need it to be placed.
If you need more, simply do it all over again. Racks for trimmers and other similarly shaped tools, machines, and equipment will go a long way to keep everything organized and in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Should You Make Your Own Trimmer Storage Rack?
You should make your own trimmer storage rack because it:
- Costs less than store bought
- Maximizes whatever scraps of material you have
- Increases life expectancy by preventing leakages and damages
- Makes it easier to organize and quicker to find
- Saves more space when storing your trimmer
- Improves your woodworking skills
How Should You Hang Your Trimmer on Your Trimmer Rack?
You should hang your trimmer rack vertically, although that ca be debated. Most homeowners find that hanging their trimmers vertically is better than storing them in a horizontal position. Vertical storage uses space more efficiently while making it easier to arrange, manage, and locate.
Additionally, there are fewer gas leaks associated with vertical storage for trimmers. Gas-powered trimmers benefit from this type of organized storage.
Can You Make a DIY Trimmer Rack for Trailer Purposes?
Yes, you can make a DIY trimmer rack for trailer purposes. In fact, the best trimmer rack for open trailer use can be made yourself. However, you can also purchase commercial racks if you prefer. Making your own is more satisfying and means you can customize it.
Whichever model type you want, make sure that you have strong locks on them. These will keep your trimmers safe from theft, especially when your trailer is located in an open area where people can freely wander about.
Conclusion
When you build your own trimmer rack, you get to improve your woodworking skills while saving money. Even if you don’t have the exact materials, you can always make do with similar ones. Here are some things we need to remember:
- Trimmer racks are great storage solutions to keep everything as clean, neat, and organized as possible.
- When measuring, always measure twice so that your cuts and drills are accurate.
- Making your own trimmer racks is a great way to build similar storage solutions for other tools, machines, and equipment that you own or may own in the future.
- When working with woodworking tools, machines, or equipment, always ensure that you are safe by wearing protective clothing, goggles, gloves, and masks.
Now that you know how simple the steps are, we can’t wait to see how your project turns out!
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