DIY Wooden Tool Tote (Rustic & Versatile)

Upgrade your tool storage game with this DIY wooden tool tote! Transform old license plates into one-of-a-kind carrier with this step-by-step plan.

Are you looking for a fun and creative way to store your tools? With just a few simple steps, I’ll show you how to turn discarded license plates into a rustic and versatile tool tote perfect for tackling your next DIY project. So gather your supplies and keep reading to find out how to make this unique storage box!

Inspiration for This DIY Wooden Tool Tote
What Tools Do You Need?
What Wood Should You Use?
How Do You Finish the Tool Tote?
How to Make a DIY Wooden Tool Tote
Get the Free Plan

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Inspiration for This DIY Wooden Tool Tote

Inspired by vintage plates I had leftover from making this license plate birdhouse, this DIY wooden tool tote is a unique way to store your tools while showing off your state pride. It’s perfect for any workshop, and you can customize it with different plates or make the sides out of wood for a traditional look.

If you want to give your workshop a personal touch, look no further than this easy project!

You can use this charming tote for more than storing tools. Consider using it to organize your gardening gear, like gloves and pruners, or to keep your art and craft supplies.

It would also make a great gift for car enthusiasts to store their detailing supplies, such as waxes and polishes.

Overhead view of a DIY tool tote filled with a drill, glue bottle and more

What Tools Do You Need?

You can make this DIY tool tote with just a few tools. Here’s what you’ll need:

Miter Saw

I used a miter saw to cut all of the tote’s parts to their required lengths.

Jigsaw

I used my jigsaw to cut the tote’s angled sides, but you might be able to use a circular saw instead.

Related: Jigsaw vs Circular Saw (Differences, Uses & Which to Buy)

Pocket Hole Jig

I used a Kreg Jig to make pocket holes that join the tote’s bottom to the sides.

Drill

I used my drill to make the pocket holes, the holes for the handles, and to drive the screws that attach the license plates to the carrier’s sides.

What Wood Should You Use?

I used repurposed pieces of pine to make my tote. My boards have nail holes, paint remnants, and other imperfections, so you don’t need to worry about using new wood. I think the blemishes give it more character complementing the vintage license plates.

Closeup of the imperfections in the pine wood used to make a DIY tool tote

Where Do You Get License Plates?

Don’t worry if you don’t have old license plates to use for your project. You can usually find them at garage and estate sales, thrift stores, and flea markets. I’ve found some great plates for just a few bucks at these places. If you don’t have any luck there, you can always buy them online at sites like eBay and Etsy.

Front view of DIY wood tool tote with upcycled license plates

How Do You Finish the Tool Tote?

I wanted a rustic look for my project, so I applied one coat of Varathane Aged Wood Accelerator which gave the tote a warm, brown color.

I tested the Accelerator on a few small samples in this comparison, and the results appeared promising. However, I’m really impressed seeing it on a full-size project and how it transformed new wood into a vintage-looking piece.

Related: Varathane Aged Wood Accelerator (Review & 5 Woods Tested)

Closeup of the rustic wood color of a DIY tool box

The Accelerator’s drawback is that it must be top-coated with lacquer, but I wanted to finish the tote with clear matte Polycrylic. So, I sprayed a coat of lacquer, waited for it to dry, then applied my preferred finish.

Related: How to Apply Polycrylic

DIY Wooden Tool Tote

Printed Plan

Get the FREE plan here (includes detailed instructions, measurements, and bonus tips)

Supplies

Wood (per the printed plan)
Wood Glue
1-¼” Pocket Hole Screws
#6 1″ Wood Screws

Tools

Tape Measure
Miter Saw
Jigsaw
Kreg Multi-Mark
Pocket Hole Jig
Drill
⅞” Forstner Bit

Step 1. Make the Sides

Cut six pieces of wood to length for the sides.

If you have a sliding miter saw, which can cut wider boards than a standard saw, I suggest cutting the sides longer. Sometimes boards can shift when you glue up panels, resulting in an edge that’s not square. So if you leave the boards long, you can use your miter saw to square the edge while trimming them to the required length.

However, if you have a standard miter saw (one that doesn’t slide), the panel will be too wide to cut, so I suggest cutting the boards to their required length. Then do your best to keep the edges as square as possible while doing your glue up.

Apply glue to the boards, clamp, and allow the panel to dry for about an hour.

TIP: I used scrap wood pieces as clamping cauls. Cauls distribute the clamping force evenly and prevent damage to the edges of your workpiece.

Gluing up a panel for DIY wooden tool tote

Cut your panels to length if you haven’t already, then use the diagram in the printed plan to mark the locations for the handle holes.

Using a pencil to mark the location for a tool tote's handle

Use an awl to make a starting point for the drill bit.

Related: What is an Awl? (+ How to Use It)

Using an awl to make a starting point for a drill bit

Next, I clamped the panel to my workbench and used a drill and Forstner bit to make a hole for the handle.

Related: What is a Forstner Bit? (& How to Use It)

Making a hole for handle using a Forstner bit

Use the diagram in the printed plan to mark the tote’s angled sides.

Laying out the angled side of DIY tool tote

Then connect the marks with a straightedge.

Using a straightedge and a pencil to mark a line

I used a jigsaw to cut the angles, but you might be able to use a circular saw instead.

Cutting along a pencil line with a jigsaw

I cut next to the line and fine-tuned the edge with my disc sander.

Sanding an angled edge with a disc sander

Step 2. Make the Bottom

Cut three pieces of wood to length for the bottom.

Again, if you have a sliding miter saw, I recommend cutting the pieces a little long, so you can square the panel when the glue is dry.

Apply glue to the boards, clamp, and allow the panel to dry for about an hour.

Cut your panels to length if you haven’t already, then use the diagram in the printed plan to mark the locations for pocket holes.

Next, drill a pocket hole at each mark.

Related: How to Use a Pocket Hole Jig (& Beginner Pitfalls to Avoid)

Step 3. Assemble the Tool Tote

Cut one piece of dowel to length.

Apply glue to the ends of the bottom, position the handle and sides, and clamp.

Attach using pocket screws.

If you want, you can fill the pocket holes with plugs for a polished look.

Related: How to Make Pocket Hole Plugs (Step-by-Step Guide)

Step 4. Finish the Tool Tote

See How Do You Finish the Tool Tote for more information.

Position the license plates and attach using 1″ wood screws. I aged my screws so that they matched my old license plates. My plates already had holes in the corners, but you may need to drill some if yours don’t.

Related: How to Age Metal

Closeup of a rusty screw attaching an old license plate to a DIY wooden tool tote

Final Thoughts

This easy-to-make DIY wooden tool tote is a great way to store your tools in style. I love how it uses repurposed license plates, giving it a rustic, vintage look. With just a few simple steps, you can create your own unique storage box, perfect for any workshop!

Don’t wait. Get your free plan (including the detailed instructions and measurements) now!

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