Do you want to build your own DIY pegboard to store your guns at home but aren’t sure how to build one?
If so, you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, I’ll outline and discuss how to build a professional and secure do-it-yourself pegboard for your guns in your house.
Why Build A DIY Pegboard?
If you have a lot of guns, you naturally need to have a way to store and organize those guns.
Most people either store their guns in a gun safe or try to hide them at various places in their homes, such as in their closets or under the beds or sofas.
An alternative option that I think is often overlooked, however, is to set up a gun pegboard.
A gun pegboard is simply a flat board mounted up on the wall, with a regular pattern of small holes for pegs. You can then rest your rifles, shotguns, and handguns alike on the pegs.
If you’re someone who would prefer to display your firearms rather than hiding them and keep them well organized in the process, a pegboard could be a good way to go.
While there are gun pegboard kits that you can buy and install in your home, a cheaper option may be to build your own DIY pegboard instead. As you’ll soon see, it’s not that difficult to do.
How To Build A DIY Pegboard
Location
You’ll want to think very carefully about where you choose to set up your pegboard.
Some key considerations you’ll want to keep in mind are:
- Accessibility
- Opt for a location that allows easy access to your firearms while maintaining security. You’ll want to make sure that you can easily reach each gun on the pegboard from standing on the floor. Keep in mind that you may need to grab one quickly in an emergency.
- Space Availability
- Evaluate the available space in your home and choose a location that offers sufficient room for mounting the pegboard and hanging firearms without overcrowding any other decorations you may have on the wall.
- You must ensure that there’s ample clearance around the pegboard to accommodate the size and quantity of firearms you intend to display.
- Safety
- Last but not least, your chosen location should prioritize safety above all else. Avoid placing the pegboard near doorways, staircases, or areas that are prone to accidental bumps or knocks.
- You also need to ensure that the room your pegboard is installed in is properly secured against unauthorized access as well. Consider installing a metal door with heavy duty locks and hinges and then keep that door shut and locked at all times.
- If there are any windows in the room, likewise reconsider replacing those windows with acrylic glass, which are far more durable and difficult to break than the normal float glass that most homes use.
While you’re thinking about the ideal spot in your home to set up your pegboard, you can begin accumulating the materials you’ll need.
Materials Needed
You’ll need to gather the following resources to build your DIY pegboard:
- Pegboard
- Go with a sturdy and durable pegboard that can support the weight of your firearms. Most pegboards are made out of perforated hardboard, plywood, or metal. You can find them at most hardware stores.
- Mounting Hardware
- Assuming that you’re mounting your pegboard on drywall in your home, you’ll need to gather mounting hardware in the form:
- Plastic anchors
- Drill and drill bits (of the same size as your anchors)
- Screwdriver and screws
- Hammer or rubber mallet
- Tape measure
- Level
- Pencil (for marking where the anchors will go).
- Pegboard Hooks
- Look for pegboard hooks that are designed specifically for hanging firearms. These should be made of a soft or rubberized material so you don’t risk them scratching or wearing on the finish of your firearms.
Once you have gathered the above items and chosen your location, you’re ready to start building the pegboard.
Step-By-Step Process For Building a DIY Pegboard
You can follow this process for setting your pegboard up:
- Use a tape measure and pencil to mark the dimensions of the pegboard area on the drywall. Start by determining the desired height and width of the pegboard. Use a level to ensure your markings are straight and evenly spaced.
- With your markings in place, use a drill and drill bit to create holes at each marked location on the drywall. It’s smart to drill holes that are slightly smaller than the anchor diameter to ensure a snug fit.
- Once the holes are drilled, you can insert the anchors into the holes. Tap them gently with a hammer or rubber mallet until they are flush with the drywall surface.
- With the mounting hardware now in place, you can position the pegboard over the drilled holes and align it with the markings on the drywall.
- Take special care to center the pegboard within the designated area and ensure it is level both horizontally and vertically; if you used a level before when marking the dimensions, you shouldn’t run into any problems here.
- Use your screwdriver to drive screws through the pegboard holes and into the anchors. Start at one corner of the pegboard and work your way around. TIghten the screws gradually to ensure even pressure distribution.
- Once the pegboard is securely attached, use the level again to confirm that it’s aligned correctly.
- Before you hang any guns on the board, you should test its stability by gently pressing on various areas of the board. Ensure it feels solid and securely attached to the drywall without any wobbling or shifting.
Now all you have to do is insert your hooks into the pegboard itself, and you can begin setting up your firearms over the board.
Take An Afternoon To Build Your DIY Gun Pegboard
If you’re like me, you’ll find that setting up your pegboard can be a fun afternoon project to do on a weekend.
More importantly, it offers a way for you to organize your guns, quickly access them, and show them to anyone you know who you invite into the room.
Just remember that since you’re leaving your firearms out in the open, they can be easily accessed by burglars, children, or anyone else with unauthorized access.
For that reason, make sure that the room where you keep your pegboard has been properly secured with reinforced doors and windows.
What kind of guns are you planning on displaying on your pegboard? Let us know down below!
