I was surprised to learn that 2x4basics makes a tool storage system that works with wood studs.
You might have already seen 2x4basics’s workbench system, which I posted about 10 years ago to the day.
The 2x4basics stud track storage system is similar to their workbench system, in how it gives you a collection of plastic brackets that work with standard wood studs.
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The storage system comes with 2 mounting brackets and 6 universal hooks.
2x4basics intends for the mounting to brackets to go at the end of a wood stud, but I don’t seen any reason why multiple kits couldn’t be connected together.
It looks like the hooks can be spaced apart or repositioned as needed.
And, with 2×4 wood studs being what they are, you could also fix other accessories where you might need them.
Unlike their workbench components, 2x4basics doesn’t seem to provide any load ratings or recommendations for their wall-mounted storage accessories.
2x4basics says that the components are made from “heavy gauge structural polyresin.” Still, it would be best to consider this a lightweight accessory system. Or, perhaps come up with a more robust wall-mounting solution and only use the hooks.
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Price: $24.49
Note: 2x4basics kits do NOT come with any wood – they only include the plastic components.
This is another option for storing garden tools and shop equipment such as air hoses or extension cords. While it doesn’t look to be ideal for my needs, it could be a versatile match for your or others’ tool storage needs or wants.
I don’t like that there’s no published load ratings for the hooks or mounting brackets. But, I can envision users skipping the end brackets and using the 2x4basics hooks with 3rd party accessories mounted to the same stud. In that case, perhaps the 2×4 being used can be mounted to wall studs (or block wall) with small blocks of wood as spacers.
2x4basics’ products provide easy-to-assemble solutions that don’t require users to have to figure much out. Still, maybe just a little improvisation keeps things simple but with expanded possibilities beyond just the included hooks.
DIY mounting improvisations might not even be needed, but it’s hard to say without official load ratings.
Doresoom
I’ve just lag bolted a 2×4 to my garage wall and screwed in generic hooks to it for garden tools in the past. This seems like an unnecessary addition to that.
jon
But you could have done the same thing for a bit more cost, just a little less secure and less attractive.
RI Guy
Agreed. Plastic garbage for sure. Even if it’s got a bit of glass in it……..my grandfathers hooks are still at my folks house 80 years and counting.
Jared
I don’t know, I think it could have potential in certain applications.
You can move the brackets along the 2×4 to align with studs. I just installed a metal rail system in my mom’s garage that didn’t allow for this. It had a series of holes and the instructions said I should line up a row with a stud. That doesn’t allow for precise placement if you’re butting up to corners or cabinets – and creates problems butting two rail sections up against each other (if one is lined up to the stud the second is pushed off to the side).
This would be easily customizable. You could DIY some French cleats to hold specific tools – not just garden tools.
It might make a good-looking bumper bar to keep the bottom end of long tools mounted on a rail system from damaging walls.
This all depends on whether the brackets are at least decent quality of course – but the design has utility.
Rafe
Hooks, dowels… lots of different ways to make something like this. Roughly $8-9 per tool held compared to maybe $.50 for 12″ of 1/2 dowels.
Mac
Harbor freight has a good selection of lag screw hooks and L shaped holders. Much as I hate Chineseium I’d rather use those than plastic… although it sure would be interesting to test polyresesin vs low grade steel. That and if I add a new tool I grab more hooks the next time I am in town.
-Mac
Robert Perez
The whole Chineseium thing there just makes you sound kind of racist….if I were you I would just stop saying nonsense like that…
Elliot lawton
How is it racist. Harbor freight metal literally comes from china and has a reputation of breaking. Generally speaking Chinese steel is factually inferior to American domestic steel. Cheap stuff and high quality both come out of china, but harbor freight isn’t paying a premium. It’s cheap as possible and that’s where it gets a bad rep. It’s like if an Asian insulted American made products. The person saying said insult is generalizing America as a race. Your turning a generalization of a countries product into an ethnicity problem. He didn’t call it asianesium, he called it after a country known for cheap products
Stuart
“Chinesium” is a negative term. Is it racist? Honestly, I’m not sure, that could depend on how it’s used, but it’s definitely not a fair or inoffensive term.
Steel production can be as good or bad as it’s designed to be. A lot of people blade Chinese people and factories for cheap products, but which brands are commissioning those products? Who are the customers demanding cheaper and cheaper goods?
If you’re going to use slang to describe poor quality metal, “pot metal” is more neutral without any hint of cultural denigration.
Charles_A
Looking at reviews and comments under the “Questions” section, it appears a number of buyers experience failure around the 1 year mark. With plastics in general, that seems likely…
Flotsam
I agree no load rating doesn’t inspire much Confidence
Poly resin by itself is no great indication of strength either. % resin??? But i suppose some Joe Homeowner who owned a saw and a drill could build something rather quickly and it will sell well at the Home Despot
Andy H
Hahaha! I call it Home Despot too… alternating between that and Home Cheapo.
Flotsam
I’m kind over watching him on YouTube now, but i think it was AvE that always called them that first.
so that kind of stuck
Koko The Talking Ape
The only advantages I can see over screw hooks and L-screws is that these seem to be removable and repositionable pretty easily. Also, it can be difficult to drive large screw hooks. Even the special bits they make for them will allow the hook to become misaligned.
But screw hooks won’t snap on impact, especially in cold weather. Also they’re cheap.
Another option is to make similar brackets yourself, maybe with iron bar stock, or just steel corner braces. You could probably use plywood too, if you have a CNC router, or are good with templates.
Flotsam
hmm sounds like some good suggestions
I made some some good storage for rakes & shovels that way using plywood scraps set up as triangles to hold up the heads. Sometimes i wish we could include pictures to share some ideas.
Koko The Talking Ape
Ha! Your way is better than what I was thinking, which was some complicated profile to match those plastic brackets. But you could just nail those triangles to either side of short piece of 2×4, then hang that from the supporting 2×4 somehow, maybe with just a nail.
Yeah, it would be nice to see pictures, but I haven’t learned a CAD program yet (too old) so I would just be a taker, not a giver. But maybe one of the rooms in the forum could be devoted to that. Is that possible, Stuart?
Dave P
3/8″ x 10″ galvanized spikes will hold well over 100 pounds and cost 50 cents apiece. Lesser-sized spikes are cheaper yet.
HARD pass
Koko The Talking Ape
Yep, and maybe pieces of old garden hose to cushion the spikes.
Nathan
only benefit here is the easy repositioning and ease of install.
I used a french cleat method for my garden tool storage using a 1 x 4 spruce cut on bevel and then the corresponding spruce piece glued stapled to a 1/2 ply piece with various dowels.
Koko The Talking Ape
That’s another thought! But I think 2x4s are cheaper, especially the “whitewood.”
Do the brackets ever fall off the supporting cleat?
Roger
Plastic hooks? Ewwwwwww
Delta Papa
I think they have gone out of business. Their website looks to be shut down. Their Youtube channel has been terminated. Amazon still has their products and “Store” but not confidence inspiring.
I was looking for more info on their Shed kits. They look more durable than these tools.
eddie sky
Its made from the same material those gray utility carts or commercial mop buckets. Which might be find for a bucket, but I can’t see for repeated hanging of various implements.
I have a few of those large J hooks and longer L hooks that are coated in black, textured vinyl. I think this idea, while clever and cheaper than costly aluminum rail system (rubbermaid fastrack?), has a cheapness in that it won’t last.
Also, I would make these items a bright yellow or safety orange because … well you know when you walk/back into one. Oh you know.