Show me (And discuss) your toolbox organizers...

[SRU1436]

I'm doing a new buildout of my recent Icon 58" triple stack, was working on the ratchet drawer earlier today... Still needs plenty of work, but it's coming along.

What ratchet organizers are those, I like them?

 

[logical]

A random mixture of organizers, old office desk trays and blow molded cases.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

Not a pro by any means but like to be able to grab what I’m looking for easily or have my wife grab if I’m laying under a vehicle so my box is labeled pretty well with some cheap labels from temu. My combo wrenches are in an organizing tray I got off of Amazon probably 10 years ago. My DOEs and DBEs are in cheap snap together widget copies from Temu ( I need more) and the blue rack is what a cheap set of ratcheting wrenches came in that I bought for a weird size one time use and it was cheaper than buying a single. I kept that one wrench and the organizer. My sockets are ether in their original cases (my 1/2 and 1/4 sets wereDad’s and are antiques) or on rails which makes it easy to grab a ratchet and a socket rail and take it to wherever I’m working. My pliers and screwdrivers are loose in drawers. I would really like an organizer for my screwdrivers next because I hate them rolling around when I open and shut that drawer.

 

[pfbz]

I am thrilled that this thread got some momentum! Some great layout and organizer ideas here...

 

[pfbz]

What ratchet organizers are those, I like them?

Toolbox Widgets... They are the newest organizers I've tried, but pretty impressive! I'll be posting more about them soon, but feel free to ask if you have any specific quesitons.

 

[Andres26tnt]

I no longer buy organizer because I print them. Since I've printed the tool grid, practically redesign the whole thing to fit my main box(Tstak). But if I where to buy, it would be that. The advantages you get vs detriments is better on that system imo. Only real drawback is the initial price of entry.

 

[gizardlizard]

Gorgeous... Tell us / show us more?

Thank you. I decided to make these because I didn’t find any wrench organizers I liked. The biggest issue with most of them, (especially toolbox widget) was that every size wrench got the same amount of space. That means a 1/4” wrench got the same spacing as an 1 1/4” wrench. I measured each individual wrench and added .010 for clearance. I made them as tight as I could to take up the least amount of room. I just ordered a new set of USAG wrenches and I’ll post pics later on how I did it. I used 1/4” aluminum and milled slots using a Bridgeport. I then pressed the dividers into the slots and added labels and magnets on the bottom.

 

[Andres26tnt]

Thank you. I decided to make these because I didn’t find any wrench organizers I liked. The biggest issue with most of them, (especially toolbox widget) was that every size wrench got the same amount of space. That means a 1/4” wrench got the same spacing as an 1 1/4” wrench. I measured each individual wrench and added .010 for clearance. I made them as tight as I could to take up the least amount of room. I just ordered a new set of USAG wrenches and I’ll post pics later on how I did it. I used 1/4” aluminum and milled slots using a Bridgeport. I then pressed the dividers into the slots and added labels and magnets on the bottom.

I totally agree almost every organizer I tried left a lot of space saving on the table. Its why I bought a 3D printer, didn't have the skill to mill so it's the next best thing. Turns out it's just as good of a tool. Now it's up to me on how it comes out. Also bring out your creativity and you learn new skills.

 

[orangeblood]

An older post from decades ago, when I first joined helped me for a long time. For those that are staying in the toolbox, I had an electrician friend give me scrap, cutoff pieces of 12/2 wire, which I rolled around a broom handle into a spring shape, then spread out and put the wrenches in between them. This could also be done with screwdrivers if one wanted, but I had other methods for them. (typically I kept them in a drawer except when using them and I would put those in a screwdriver holder on the side of the box.



wantedabiggergarage: thanks for the coiled wire idea. i should have mentioned that i already use toolbox widget. its a great product but i'd

 

[orangeblood]

(i hit enter to quick)

....i should have mentioned that i already use toolbox widget. its a great product but i'd have to dedicate another whole drawer (us general 42) to hold about 30 double box end offset wrenches. i was hoping someone had some really clever way to organize offset DBEs that i had not seen before

 

[Wubicon]

The only thing I use are the cheap plastic Harbor Freight socket holders.

In the screwdriver drawer, all straight blade screwdriver have handles on the left. All Philips screwdrivers have handles on the right. 1/4" hex impact bits are in small zipper bags.

One drawer for SAE wrenches. Another drawer for metric. they lay flat, but I try to keep them organized, smallest to largest.

Pliers. One drawer for locking pliers. Separate drawer for all others.

I'm a similar deal. 1 Drawer for metric (stubby and regular) 1 for SAE (stubby and regular). I also have a separate drawer for some specialized wrenches, adjustable wrenches etc. 1 drawer for metric sockets, 1 for SAE - all drives, regular and deep, 12 point and 6, impact and regular etc.

I should probably spend some time this winter rearranging it because it kinda doesn't make sense because I have so many extra long ratchets, huge 24" slip joint pliers, extra extra long handle screw drivers. It's sort of all over the place.

 

[Jgaz]

Maybe not as trick as some of the excellent examples shown here but I’ll show a couple of ideas I used.

I’m usually not a fan of blow molded cases that come with some tools.
However, when I was organizing the machinist chest I made, I realized that trimming existing blow molded cases made sense in some cases.

Compare the small Torx screw drivers in the red holder (upper left drawer) to the other screw driver set in the right hand drawer that are stored in a wooden organizer I made.

IMO I don’t think that I could improve on the red organizer nor the digital caliper holder enough to be worth my efforts.

 

[afazz]

Lots of good stuff in this thread! I will contribute more when I have time to collect my thoughts and pictures.

On the topic of wrench organization, I almost exclusively use the Ernst 40-tool space saver wrench rails, which THEY ARE PHASING OUT. I made a previous thread (linked below) highlighting the wrench spacing between the various options, and these are the best I have found for wrenches under 3/4” or 19mm to balance density with usability.

Wrench organizer comparison

I took some time to measure the spacing of various wrench organizers, as I’m constantly trying to balance the competing goals of easy, visible access and wasted space. Since I have tried them all, I figure this info might help others choose. Here is the spacing between wrenches of most...

www.garagejournal.com

These Ernst organizers are the only way I could get 274 wrenches into this drawer:



I ordered 8 more packs to hoard away once they’re discontinued

 

[Steve_P]

Here are the Stahlwille deep offset DBEs when I first put them in the box. I do not know what Ernst rails I used, but it may be two rails from two different sets that I mixed together. As I said earlier, it took a while to figure it out. And yeah, it's still a tight fit, but it works since I rarely use these.

 

[Steve_P]

Ok, this is a crappy snip from old pics, but this is up there on the "greatest inventions" in tool organizing. They're the Snap On crow foot organizers. Tekton now has something similar, but the SO are superior because you pull them apart from both ends and can then exactly select the tool you want without removing anything else. These are definitely worth hunting down a dealer to get.

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

 

[SouthernIllinois]

My Cart: Magnetic bars on the lid of my cart for my most used tools. Chrome sockets are in the trays they came in. Impact sockets are on Tool Box Widget socket holders. Wrenches are also in Tool Box Widget holders. Small screwdrivers, picks and my go-to ratchets on the wall are in magnetic holders of Etsy.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

In the other box it’s the factory screwdriver tray and Tool box Widget Stuff.

 

[Skellyii]

Here are the Stahlwille deep offset DBEs when I first put them in the box. I do not know what Ernst rails I used, but it may be two rails from two different sets that I mixed together. As I said earlier, it took a while to figure it out. And yeah, it's still a tight fit, but it works since I rarely use these.

Either the Ernst 20, or the 40 wrench space saver rails. Both are god choices IMHO.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

In the vintage Snap-On box, I used Ernst wrench holders

 

[SouthernIllinois]

More Tool Box Widget and Menards organizer trays

 

[logical]

Or just fill the drawer so they can't move...actually they do, but haven’t decided what to use yet.

 

[Chipm]

Aluminum angle makes good drawer dividers. You can add magnetic tape, or rivet it directly to the drawer bottom if you are committed.

 

[Vinny]

Always see the usual sockets, wrenches, plyers, and screwdrivers in these threads. Any cool way to organize other tools in the box, like hammers, planers, chisels, power tools, etc?

 

[BWWgarage]

Aluminum angle makes good drawer dividers. You can add magnetic tape, or rivet it directly to the drawer bottom if you are committed.

This is what I’m thinking for screwdrivers to keep grouped but small enough groups to find quickly.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

If you go to Etsy and search "hammer organizer" you will find some very cool 3D printed items!

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Ok, this is a crappy snip from old pics, but this is up there on the "greatest inventions" in tool organizing. They're the Snap On crow foot organizers. Tekton now has something similar, but the SO are superior because you pull them apart from both ends and can then exactly select the tool you want without removing anything else. These are definitely worth hunting down a dealer to get.

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

Agreed, I bought my Flare nut crowsfoot via an estate sale (I think Ebay) for a lot less then the Snap on man wanted. Even found years back, Snap on 12 point crowsfoot O2 sensor sockets for $1 each (marked, but bought one for everyone at the shop). I gave $10 I think each for either of these above and didn't use them that often before I left the shop.

The spring wire, cutting up garage sales (or dollar store) dish racks for plier dividers, these above and those HF plastic socket racks worked for me for quite a few years, out of my Craftsman tool chests. Having more room for sockets to stand up, and the plastic rails as they age starting to break, have me moving in a different direction

 

[M.Brane]

Lots of good stuff in this thread! I will contribute more when I have time to collect my thoughts and pictures.

On the topic of wrench organization, I almost exclusively use the Ernst 40-tool space saver wrench rails, which THEY ARE PHASING OUT. I made a previous thread (linked below) highlighting the wrench spacing between the various options, and these are the best I have found for wrenches under 3/4” or 19mm to balance density with usability.

Wrench organizer comparison

I took some time to measure the spacing of various wrench organizers, as I’m constantly trying to balance the competing goals of easy, visible access and wasted space. Since I have tried them all, I figure this info might help others choose. Here is the spacing between wrenches of most...

www.garagejournal.com

These Ernst organizers are the only way I could get 274 wrenches into this drawer:



I ordered 8 more packs to hoard away once they’re discontinued

No wasted space in that wrench drawer!

 

[Jgaz]

Aluminum angle makes good drawer dividers. You can add magnetic tape, or rivet it directly to the drawer bottom if you are committed.

Yup. Aluminum angle works well and if you need to move something your drawer liner will cover the old holes. It’s a tool box, not the hood of your car.

Always see the usual sockets, wrenches, plyers, and screwdrivers in these threads. Any cool way to organize other tools in the box, like hammers, planers, chisels, power tools, etc?

My woodworking chisels in a wooden holder I built for a drawer in my machinist chest.

 

[pfbz]

Always see the usual sockets, wrenches, plyers, and screwdrivers in these threads. Any cool way to organize other tools in the box, like hammers, planers, chisels, power tools, etc?

Not a great picture, and not a perfect solution, but I use an Ernst plier organizer to help sort out a few hammers in my bottom drawer...

 

[stillnostrebor]

They are definitely more expensive than Hansen but are better built and much easier to read. I had the Hansen knock offs from HF and the SAE 1/4" and 3/8" drive were impossible to read due to small text and color contrast.

I am waiting for someone to show the Alien Space Saver wrench organizer.

Here you go...

Alien Space Savers on the right and under the stubby ratchets at top left. They are fine for my use, but not so special that I would say run out and buy them. I have since moved on to rolling my own with a 3D printer, but these are still performing just fine in this small box.

 

[Olsa Tools]

I only like organizers for sockets, wrenches, and pliers. Everything else lays out nicely.

Old pics, there's been some minor updates. I use Olsa rails and Hanson trays for sockets, Toolbox Widget for Wrenches, and I don't even remember who makes the plier rack (not pictured).

I really like what you've done with your socket and wrench drawers—they look really clean.

You should try out our modular DrawerPro system for your ratchet drawer. You might like how they work.

 

[Snapped-off]

I really like what you've done with your socket and wrench drawers—they look really clean.

You should try out our modular DrawerPro system for your ratchet drawer. You might like how they work.

Thanks. I'm planning to pick up some more socket rails.

 

[Dankotaru]

I used aluminum angle with magnetic tape on the bottom to make custom dividers/bins. It works well enough for me. Couple of examples:




I got the idea some years ago looking at a Nascar pit box photo shoot on Speedhunters:

 

[vwishndaetr]

As an overall contribution to this thread, I think this is worth a watch if you're trying to get some solid feedback on various organizers:

I myself committed to Tool Grid this past weekend. Really wanted something that had flexibility to be moved around and from all the different organizers I saw, I felt like it was the best at getting the most into a small space (at least for sockets). Bought the pegged sheets on Amazon and the all the dongles from CTechManufacturing (the best pricing and the most of every item in stock).

Before: Everything was just in the boxes I bought it in... Took up about 3 drawers of space.



After: Not much space left. I think I got the placement right on the first try, but time will tell.

Wrench drawer cleaned up nicely too.


Edit: 1/22/2026 - Adding image of another drawer w/ driver, ratchets, wrenches for record's sake.

 

[oscarsnapkin]

Different tool chest, but Ernst style wrench organizers for screwdrivers... I prefer the wrench organizers even for screwdrivers, the spacing is tighter, but they work great if you alternate the drivers.

Nice Porsche.

 

[BWWgarage]

As an overall contribution to this thread, I think this is worth a watch if you're trying to get some solid feedback on various organizers:

I myself committed to Tool Grid this past weekend. Really wanted something that had flexibility to be moved around and from all the different organizers I saw, I felt like it was the best at getting the most into a small space (at least for sockets). Bought the pegged sheets on Amazon and the all the dongles from CTechManufacturing (the best pricing and the most of every item in stock).

Before: Everything was just in the boxes I bought it in... Took up about 3 drawers of space.



After: Not much space left. I think I got the placement right on the first try, but time will tell.

Wrench drawer cleaned up nicely to

Can you share approx cost for each drawer? Thanks.

 

[gamescastspencer]

For wrenches I have found the saw tooth rails that are not tapered to work well for me, OEM 22218-

In my 72” at home:

5 drawer cart at my shop:
And my Homak box at my shop:


Sockets I use Hansen trays along with various rails for specialty and a couple Ernst rails-



And for pliers, I’ve only got the 72” really setup, the other boxes are kind of disasters. I used basic wire racks-

 

[gamescastspencer]

Edit- double posted.

 

[merkyworks]

I absolutely hated those... I try a lot of organizers. Some aren't for me, but I can see their use case.. With the *** organizers, they were frustratingly useless IMHO. I simply do not get why someone would like them. Sorry, i know that is harsh, but damn they were junk! The only other organizer i disliked. as much were the Harbor Freight v-bar style. Both had one similar flaw (among other flaws), they both lifted the wrenches WAY too far off the drawer bottom.

Geez man, show me on the tool box where the alien touched you.

Genuinely surpised by your comments on these, cause they are the best organizers I have ever used. Every single other organizer on the market has fixed spacing, if your wrench doesnt fit that space very well your SOL. Alien space savers allow for infinit adjustments to fit any wrench thickness or flat/angled/straight up position you want.

I will give it to you the metal rail gen1 version can be difficult to move the dividers but if you use a aviation pry tool to push them into place its easier. Now the plastic rail gen2 versions are super easy to slide the dividers.

Even used them for organizing my screwdrivers and they work great for that as well. Ignore the pick/pry tool mess, still figuring out how I want to organize them or move them to another drawer.

 

[vwishndaetr]

Can you share approx cost for each drawer? Thanks.

For socket drawer - $162ish - Everything comes in packs of 25 or so, so I have some extras:
(1) Toolgrid TGB-04 Board 24 1/2” x 26 1/16” x 3/8” (2PK) - $84.09ea
(1) Toolgrid 3/4″ SAE Socket Holder Kit (TGH-15PS) (25pk) - $6.59ea
(6) Toolgrid 1/2″ SAE Socket Holder Kit (TGH-06PS) (25pk) - $5.49ea
(6) Toolgrid 3/8″ SAE Socket Holder Kit (TGH-05PS) (25pk) - $4.94ea
(2) Toolgrid 1/4″ SAE Socket Holder Kit (TGH-04PS) (25pk) - $4.39ea

For wrench drawer $146ish - Same deal, have some extras + some space to fill.
(1) Toolgrid TGB-04 Board 24 1/2” x 26 1/16” x 3/8” (2PK) - $84.09ea
(2) Toolgrid Large SAE Wrench Holder Kit (TGH-03PS) (10pk) - $5.72ea
(6) Toolgrid Medium SAE Wrench Holder Kit (TGH-02PS) (10pk) - $4.39ea
(6) Toolgrid Small SAE Wrench Holder Kit (TGH-01PS) (10pk) - $3.95ea

I'm still working on organizing ratchets, torque wrenches, drivers, extensions, etc. I have enough stuff for 4 drawers and paid about $650 for everything including tax and shipping. So the math maths above. I think $160 per drawer is a really good estimate. Drawers are ~37"x20".

Just FYI, I don't know if they'll eventually go away, but I bought the large grids instead of the 6x6 16-packs. Was cheaper for me to go about it that way. Looks like the modular 6x6 boards will be the predominate thing going forward as those are being pushed everywhere in the marketing.

Oh and FWIW if this helps someone down the road, the "24 1/2in x 26 1/16in" boards are actually 23.5in x 25in (which is annoying because it fucked up my plans a little)...