Maximize Your Workspace with Pegboards and 3D Printing

Keeping your workshop organized is one of the biggest challenges for any maker, DIYer, or car enthusiast. Tools end up scattered, bench space disappears, and working on your projects turns into a frustrating search for tools. These pegboards are my favorite way to organize my tools. They keep everything within reach without taking up valuable floor space and make clean up super easy.

In this post, we’ll cover:

What pegboards are and why they’re a shop essential
How to properly install pegboards for maximum usability
Why 3D printing is the perfect solution for hooks, brackets, and mounts
How custom designs can transform your workspace

What Is a Pegboard?

A pegboard is a flat board with evenly spaced holes (usually 1 inch), designed to hold hooks, shelves, and tool mounts. They’re usually made of:

MDF or hardboard – affordable and easy to find (What I am using)
Metal – heavy-duty for industrial use
Plastic – lightweight and resistant to moisture

Pegboards work by letting you hang tools vertically, which saves space, keeps things visible, and makes it easy to rearrange your setup whenever you want.

Proper Installation: Spacing Pegboards from the Wall

One of the most important (and often overlooked) details when installing a pegboard is spacing it off the wall.

Pegboard hooks and mounts are designed to slide into the holes and extend through to the back. If the pegboard is flush against the wall, there’s no room for the hook tabs to protrude — which means your accessories can’t be installed.

I solved this problem with a 3D printed mount I found for free online. One part is the spacer and ledge to locate the board and the other is a cap to secure it in place. The design features a dovetail to slide them together without any tools or fasteners. At least 4 of these mounts are connected directly to the wall studs for maximum strength. This step is crucial for getting a solid, usable pegboard system that won’t frustrate you later or drop all of your tools on the ground.

Why Pegboards Are So Good for Organization

Pegboards are infinitely customizable. They can be arranged and rearranged as many times as you want. This is perfect for growing along with your tool collection.

Vertical Tool Storage – Free up valuable bench space by getting tools on the wall.
Quick Access – Every tool is visible, so you spend less time searching.
Cleanup — Quickly store tools after projects and recognize missing tools.
Modular Layout – Rearrange hooks and mounts anytime to fit new tools.
Zone Organization – Group tools by task (mechanic tools, woodworking, 3D printer maintenance) for a more efficient workflow.
Scalability – Start with one panel and expand as your tool collection grows. They are also incredibly cheap compared to other storage solutions.

Why 3D Printing Is a Game-Changer for Pegboards

Traditionally, pegboard accessories were limited to whatever the store had available which was usually a few basic metal hooks. But with 3D printing, you can create any mount you need, perfectly sized for your tools and workspace.

Here’s why 3D printing works so well for pegboards:

Customization – Design mounts that fit your specific tools (wrenches, drivers, spray cans, anything).
Speed – Need a different size or new mount? Print it in hours, not days.
Affordable – Filament is cheap compared to buying dozens of metal hooks.
Creative Freedom – Make mounts that hold tools at an angle, integrate chargers, or have embedded magnets

My Pegboard Setup

In my own shop, I use 3D printed pegboard mounts and attachments for everything:

Hooks for cordless drills and other power tools
Holders for screwdrivers, pliers, and calipers
Clips for chisels, funnels, rollers, and tape rolls
Specialized mounts for tool batteries
Custom designed paper towel dispenser

Some of these designs I modeled myself to get the perfect fit. Others are free models I found online. It is still crazy to me that you can solve your problems for pennies with custom solutions without ever leaving your house.