This project was built and designed by Mark from Gunflint Designs. It’s a functional and stylish docking station that organizes your drills and stores your most-used bits with a clever hidden magnetic feature.
Perfect for any shop setup, the station keeps your workspace tidy and your tools easy to grab. The clean design adds a polished look while helping you work more efficiently.
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Project Overview
The station includes deep cubbies for holding drills and drivers, keeping them within easy reach. A magnetic strip built into the front provides a convenient spot for storing bits.
With a flat top and slight lip, the upper surface also works as temporary tool storage. The combination of thoughtful layout and smart joinery makes this a useful upgrade for any wall-mounted tool system.
Getting Started with the Build
Mark begins with a piece of rough-cut walnut, using chalk to lay out all his cuts. Breaking down the board into smaller pieces helps keep everything flat and easier to work with during milling.
Flattening and squaring each piece individually prevents bowing that might happen with longer boards. It also makes it easier to keep tight tolerances throughout the build.
Creating the Manifold
The most detailed part of the design is the front manifold, which holds the bits and includes a recessed channel for the magnets. After cutting it to size, Mark uses a router table to cut deep slots and curves.
To make it easier for the router bit to enter the wood cleanly, he drills an oversized hole at the starting point. This approach gives him better control and smoother cuts.
A dado stack is then used to cut the necessary joinery for connecting the manifold to the rest of the station. Cutting curved sections first helps preserve the clean shape before moving to square joints.
Optional CNC Integration
For more precise shaping, Mark demonstrates how to carve the manifold using a CNC machine. The X-Carve allows for clean and repeatable details that would be difficult to get with traditional tools alone.
He carefully considers grain direction when laying out the cuts. Any inconsistencies in wood grain are placed where they’ll be least visible once the piece is assembled.
Shaping and Fitting Components
With the manifold section ready, the next challenge is matching its curves to the adjoining parts. Mark uses the finished piece as a template to trace the profile onto the next section.
Plywood is used for the top since it will be hidden once mounted. A shallow dish is carved into the base to help cradles larger drills securely and keep them from tipping forward.
Hidden Magnetic Bit Storage
One of the standout features of this project is the magnetic bit storage groove. Magnets are embedded in a routed channel, creating a hidden yet accessible place to store bits.
To avoid spinning bits, Mark alternates the magnet polarity. This small detail improves usability and adds a clever touch to the final design.
Assembly and Installation
Before putting the docking station together, the interior surfaces are pre-finished. This helps with access and protects areas that are hard to reach once assembled.
A chamfer is added to the drill slots to guide tools smoothly into place. Mounting holes are drilled in the back to allow the station to be secured directly to the wall.
Final Thoughts
This docking station is a great way to add order and functionality to your shop. With its magnetic bit storage and snug drill cubbies, it keeps everything right where you need it.
It also looks great, with clean lines and a compact footprint that blends into any workspace. It’s a useful project that improves your workflow without taking up much space.
Want to See the Full Build?
Get Mark’s plans here: https://www.gunflintdesigns.com/product-page/drill-docking-station-plans.