Build Your Own Compact Plane Till: A Weekend Project

If you’ve ever battled the chaos of tool storage, this weekend build is for you. In the video, Marc walks you through how to create a compact plane till that tucks neatly into your workshop and keeps your planes organized and accessible. The result: less clutter, more efficiency, and a cleaner workspace.

Why a Compact Plane Till Matters

A till dedicated to hand planes might seem like a small thing, but in a well-run woodshop every little improvement adds up. Here are a few reasons why a compact plane till is worth your time:

• Organization: When each plane has a designated spot, you’ll spend less time hunting for the right one.

• Protection: Planes are precision tools — storing them properly prevents damage to the soles and irons.

• Space efficiency: “Compact” means we’re designing for minimal footprint, so even smaller shops can benefit.

• Shop flow: With planes easily accessible, workflow improves when you’re switching tasks or adjusting setups.

By focusing on the compact plane till, you’re addressing both the tool and the toolbox — or rather, the tool and the storage system.

What You’ll Need (Materials & Tools)

Here’s a quick breakdown of what you need before starting the build:

• A hardwood or quality plywood backer – something sturdy for mounting planes.

• Cleats or rails sized to the widths of your planes (or adjustable if you have mixed sizes).

• Fasteners, glue, and a finish (wax, oil, or varnish) to protect the wood.

• Measuring and marking tools to lay out your plan.

• Sanding, tuning tools, and any plane-specific accessories you want to incorporate (like stops or lock-in pins).

Marc shows how to measure for different plane widths, cut the holding rails, test fit your planes, mount the till, and finally apply finish so everything looks sharp and functions well.

Step-By-Step: Building Your Compact Plane Till

Here’s a summary of the build process shown in the video:

1. Design & measure: Start by laying out the backboard and determining how many planes you want to store. Make note of their widths and heights.

2. Cut the cleats/rails: These will support your planes. Marc demonstrates how to size them for snug but not tight fit.

3. Dry-fit the planes: Before permanently mounting anything, test fit your planes on the rails to ensure alignment and spacing.

4. Mount to wall or cabinet: Choose whether your till will be free-standing, mounted on the wall, or attached inside a cabinet door. The video shows a wall-mounted version for space efficiency.

5. Finish & protect: Apply your chosen finish. Marc opts for a simple wipe-on oil finish that brings out the grain and offers protection without gloss that might reflect shop lighting.

6. Load in your planes and fine-tune: Insert your planes, check for stability (no tipping or shifting), and make any minor adjustments.

In under a weekend — say, a Saturday afternoon — you can move from raw materials to functional, tidy plane storage.

Pro Tips

• Leave a little clearance above each plane so it can be removed easily without banging into neighbouring planes.

• Use contrast in the finish (e.g., darker backboard, lighter cleats) so the planes “pop” visually and you can tell at a glance what’s missing.

• For mixed plane widths (e.g., smoothing plane, jack plane, block plane) use variable spacing or adjustable cleats so future planes still fit.

• Check that the mounting method is secure — you’ll want a robust anchoring system if the till holds heavy casting-iron planes.

• Labeling (either subtly or overtly) can help if you share the shop or have visitors — easier to maintain order when everyone knows where things go.

In the video you’ll see that I used small cylindrical magnets that I happened to have on-hand at the time. I later ordered larger, more powerful magnets that work better and those are the ones I recommend: 3/8″ Cylindrical Magnets.

If you want to learn more about the hand tools I use in my shop, check out my book Hybrid Woodworking.

If you’re looking for another perspective, check out what the folks at Woodcraft have to say about How to Choose and Use Hand Planes.