How to Make Wooden Pegboard Pegs

  • 0.5-1
  • Beginner
  • 25-50
What You'll Need
1/4 -inch or 3/16-inch doweling
Miter saw or handsaw
Sandpaper
Tape measure
Pencil
Rubber mallet
What You'll Need
1/4 -inch or 3/16-inch doweling
Miter saw or handsaw
Sandpaper
Tape measure
Pencil
Rubber mallet

With predrilled wooden or composite pegboard, it is the pegboard pegs that will truly make the vertical storage area useful. The pegs, when positioned accordingly, create numerous and custom-fitting racks from which to hang all kinds of tools. Metal pegboards require the purchase of metal pegs or hooks. One of the benefits of using a wood or MDF pegboard is that you can make your own pegs. All you need are a few tools and the right size wood doweling. It is true, however, that wood doweling of smaller diameters is not as strong as metal, but if you compensate by adding more pegs, you’ll be able to support most portable tools.

Step 1: Determine the Diameter of Pegboard Holes

Most pegboards have equally-spaced rows of pre-drilled holes usually ¼ inch or 3/16 inch in diameter. Check the diameter of the holes on your pegboard with the tape measure before purchasing the wood doweling.

Step 2: Measure and Mark the Right Wood Doweling

Take the wood doweling you have for the pegs and measure out equal segments, marking each one along the length of cylindrical wood. Doweling at that small diameter should not be too long or else it could snap under excess weight. Cut each piece no longer than 3 inches. Wider tools may require a slightly longer peg, but cut those pieces separately. Most tools will be well supported with 3-inch dowel.

Step 3: Cut the Dowel

With the doweling marked off in segments, cut the pieces with either a miter saw set at 90° or a handsaw.

Step 4: Sand Down Pegs

With the sandpaper, smooth out the cut edges of the dowel pegs, making sure there are no splinters or split pieces of wood hanging off of the ends.

Step 5: Position the Dowel Pegs

With the pegs cut and sanded down to smooth their edges, begin positioning them on the pegboard to support the hanging tools. If it is a tight fit, you may need to tap them into the peg holes with a rubber mallet. Most tools will require only 2 pegs, while others may need 3 or 4. On the pegboard, do not waste any space. Leaving large gaps between tools takes up space that could be otherwise used to hang a tool.

Step 6: Cut Extra Pegs

If you have any extra dowel, cut several extra pegs to keep around in case any of the pegs being used break. If they are not under any tremendous stress from tools that are too heavy for hanging, they should last you a long time. Still, you might need them for when you add more tools to your collection that need hanging as well.

Making your pegs for use on your pegboard is easy when you are working with wood. Measure the diameter of the holes, measure and cut out a large number of wood dowel segments, tap them into place, and you have an easy-to-use tool hanging system that hardly takes up any space in your shop at all.