Slatwall in a workshop -- two questions

"Bryan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have a couple questions about using slatwall in my new workshop, and
> was hoping those who have used it for a while may be able to share
> their knowledge:
>
> 1) Is dust in the slots a problem? I'm thinking about putting up 8-10
> sheets, and am afraid it would be a pain if I need to tediously vacuum
> out all the slots frequently. I do have a decent dust control system,
> however, and am hoping that this will mitigate the problem. In other
> words, is this problem only as bad as how much dust you have in the
> air?
>
> 2) Fixtures. I know there are a wide variety of fixtures available,
> but in general, is it possible to find fixtures that don't easily lift
> out of place and drop out as you retrieve tools? (...similar to how
> pegboard hooks always seem to want to take a dive.) I was watching a
> Hometime episode last night where they installed some Slatwall in a
> basement shop, and it looked like Robin had to be especially careful
> as she picked up a tool, since the hook was sitting there quite
> loosely.....
>

1) Good dust collection will help alot. So will a good air filter. If you
like the look of the slats, go for it!

2) Those pegboard things are crap IMO. The hooks come flying off if you
aren't careful, and you aren't careful when you are in the middle of a
project. The hooks come with a plastic thing that is supposed to hold them
in place, but they don't work very well. I keep all my handtools in a
toolbox and in drawers.
You might epoxy in the hooks into the pegboard holes and they would never
come off (even if you want to move them).
You could use the pegboard and dowels glued into the holes.
You could use the slatts and drill holes for dowels. These could be angled
up to keep tools from falling.

Good luck
Frank