Thanks for the thorough response. Super helpful!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)...
Show me (And discuss) your toolbox organizers...
- Thread starter pfbz
- Start date
Semi-hole mechanic
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My screwdriver drawer looks the same. One of the reasons I’m following this thread, hope to find a cheap solution to keep them from rolling.Or just fill the drawer so they can't move...actually they do, but haven’t decided what to use yet.
afazz
Well-known member
Here are a few more of my solutions.
Schaller bins. They are great!!
My screwdriver drawer includes four organizer types:
1) original plastic trays for some, like the Snap-on picks and Facom screwdrivers
2) heavily modified blow molded cases. The Mac bit set originally had a lid and was larger. Ifixit micro bit set had a lid. The Snap-on screwdriver tray is a hybrid of a 6-piece and 8-piece tray cut up and glued together for less wasted space.
3) Schaller bins for small things
4) the rest just packed so tight they can’t move! Also, keeping them perpendicular to the drawer motion helps them stay stable.
Someone asked about hammers, I like to pack them close and do my best nesting them together. The more common ones have the heads toward the left or rear of the drawer, so I can easily grab them with my right hand in a ready to swing position.
Schaller bins. They are great!!
My screwdriver drawer includes four organizer types:
1) original plastic trays for some, like the Snap-on picks and Facom screwdrivers
2) heavily modified blow molded cases. The Mac bit set originally had a lid and was larger. Ifixit micro bit set had a lid. The Snap-on screwdriver tray is a hybrid of a 6-piece and 8-piece tray cut up and glued together for less wasted space.
3) Schaller bins for small things
4) the rest just packed so tight they can’t move! Also, keeping them perpendicular to the drawer motion helps them stay stable.
Someone asked about hammers, I like to pack them close and do my best nesting them together. The more common ones have the heads toward the left or rear of the drawer, so I can easily grab them with my right hand in a ready to swing position.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
Not much to discuss here. I have: most of the wrenches on toolbox widgets, most of the sockets on Ernst rails, and most of the pliers are stacked on the bottom of some dish drainers that I bought at Walmart. Pretty much everything else is tossed in it's drawer. I know where everything goes.
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Karl_B
Well-known member
I have most of my sockets on VIM plastic socket rails. If you like the red, they are the same as one of the ones Home Depot stocks. If you like other colors, sometimes Napa has their Carlyle version cheaper than the VIM store. Check around for pricing and beware there are some out there that look the same, but with looser specs, so everything moves and slides around more.
I have some homemade wire loop and foam wrench holders, as well as plastic store-bought ones, but none of that has me completely committed to one approach. Some of the set, I'd just as soon have a partition that lets them sit pressed together in their own tray with no room to shift sideways.
I made my own pliers rack out of wire shelving, but it needs a revision or replacement. I might just have to redo the whole box and see if I can get it looking pretty enough for this thread.
It seems like every time I get things just how I want them, I add some new tools that throw everything off. Eventually I'll stop buying new tools, right? RIGHT?!
I have some homemade wire loop and foam wrench holders, as well as plastic store-bought ones, but none of that has me completely committed to one approach. Some of the set, I'd just as soon have a partition that lets them sit pressed together in their own tray with no room to shift sideways.
I made my own pliers rack out of wire shelving, but it needs a revision or replacement. I might just have to redo the whole box and see if I can get it looking pretty enough for this thread.
It seems like every time I get things just how I want them, I add some new tools that throw everything off. Eventually I'll stop buying new tools, right? RIGHT?!
I don't know what to say.... I don't want to hate them, but I have started at least three times to lay out a wrench drawer using them, and each time got about 20 minutes in and said something similar to "these are absolute ****" and threw them all back in a ziplock. Maybe I should give them one more chance, perhaps the fourth time's a charm. But I've tried a lot of wrench and screwdriver organizers, and always come back to the modular magnetic style.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.
Here is another drawer that is work in progress, they seem to work great on pretty much every wrench I own that is under 32mm. You're right, for *really big* wrenches, they don't work as well.
And screwdrivers...
...but on a more positive note, I've been working more with @toolboxwidgets in my socket drawer, ratchet drawer, and extensions drawer, pretty happy with the flexibility they provide!
Here are most of my Koken sockets set up on TBW organizers.
but I'm still. playing around with other organizers as well... Much like my tools, I'm not committed to any one brand. TBW, Hanson, EZ-Red, Olsa, Workpro, and Astro organizers all can be spotted in the current layout. There are things I like and somewhat dislike about all of them, but there are *many* other types I've tried and don't even make it to the final layouts.
Likewise, sockets from Snap-On, Koken, Astro, Icon, Craftsman, Tekton, Capri, and a few others can be spotted.
Here are most of my Koken sockets set up on TBW organizers.
but I'm still. playing around with other organizers as well... Much like my tools, I'm not committed to any one brand. TBW, Hanson, EZ-Red, Olsa, Workpro, and Astro organizers all can be spotted in the current layout. There are things I like and somewhat dislike about all of them, but there are *many* other types I've tried and don't even make it to the final layouts.
Likewise, sockets from Snap-On, Koken, Astro, Icon, Craftsman, Tekton, Capri, and a few others can be spotted.
Madjik Man
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I’d buy these in a heartbeat but I have the Tekton 6-24mm and 1/4-1” 3/8 sets. And Westling doesn’t have trays that fit these perfectly.
Am I the only one that thinks $55 for three plastic, non-magnetic, non-locking, non-extended length socket rails is insanity? VIM's magnetic metal post socket organizers are stupid expensive as well, but at least they are innovative. These are essentially the same thing you get at Harbor Freight for $5? Sure, they are probably a bit better, but 10X better?I have most of my sockets on VIM plastic socket rails. If you like the red, they are the same as one of the ones Home Depot stocks. If you like other colors, sometimes Napa has their Carlyle version cheaper than the VIM store. Check around for pricing and beware there are some out there that look the same, but with looser specs, so everything moves and slides around more.
I have some homemade wire loop and foam wrench holders, as well as plastic store-bought ones, but none of that has me completely committed to one approach. Some of the set, I'd just as soon have a partition that lets them sit pressed together in their own tray with no room to shift sideways.
I made my own pliers rack out of wire shelving, but it needs a revision or replacement. I might just have to redo the whole box and see if I can get it looking pretty enough for this thread.
It seems like every time I get things just how I want them, I add some new tools that throw everything off. Eventually I'll stop buying new tools, right? RIGHT?!
This is awesome!! Are these files available?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.
Andres26tnt
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Haven't uploaded them yet, will be doing it soon. Need to tweak the design some more. I found that if you don't have two anchor points, the pegs will get loose all the time(super annoying). I will add two screw hole in the design to make them sturdy. I can upload the boards as those won't change. You can use the toolgrid pieces as it's the same pattern spacing.
Great and thank you! Let me know where you upload them, Love the grid - price is not that bad. Just do not have anyone local to get it.
Karl_B
Well-known member
I posted the VIM link because it appears they are the OEM for the ones I buy, but I don't pay the VIM prices.
I usually order them through NAPA for more color and length choices. I like being able to just order one more rail for a few dollars, or another pack of pegs to change up what I have. If the Harbor Freight ones are actually the same, maybe I'll use the light blue for my torx sockets or something.
VIM doesn't make anything.
Karl_B
Well-known member
Good to know. I'll have to see if I can figure out who is the OEM one day.
Am I the only one that thinks $55 for three plastic, non-magnetic, non-locking, non-extended length socket rails is insanity? VIM's magnetic metal post socket organizers are stupid expensive as well, but at least they are innovative. These are essentially the same thing you get at Harbor Freight for $5? Sure, they are probably a bit better, but 10X better?
Those HF rails are garbage. Think of whatever the cheapest possible plastic feels like and they're probably worse.
There is more quality in the cardboard they use to package them.
Tekton sells individual rails and clips. They're much better.
Socket Organization Rails and Trays | TEKTON
Use Tekton's modular system of twist-to-lock socket rails and trays to organize your tools and save space in tool cabinet drawers.
OK, I can admit when I am wrong...
I gave the Aliens a fourth try today. And while I still find them overly fiddly to set up, they did end up working pretty well for organizing my ratchets, something I hadn't really found a great solution for.
As for setting them up, I found that if I took the tools and organizers over to a wooden workbench, set it up tool-by-tool on a hard surface, used a plastic trim tool to pry the little gizmos when I needed to move them a bit, then removed all the tools, put the organizer in place, and re-loaded the tools, it worked ok. Like I said, a bit fiddly, but not as bad as tool grid stuff.
One $35 alien wrench kit organized about 27 ratchet tools. I had to often use double dividers between ratchets to keep the heads apart.
I still don't think I like them all that much for their intended purpose, wrenches, but for odd shaped items that don't have uniform spacing, they are a decent solution.
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Things tend to change around a lot when I'm setting up a new box, here is today's progress on the socket drawer.
Moved a few more sets onto the Olsa long magnetic socket rails. they are very similar to the workpro (magnetic base, allow the socket to rotate on the rail so you can easily align the sizes to be visible), but Olsa offers longer rails, 20" long, which fits the drawer depth really well and can fit bigger sets on them. I took my new Astro Nano bits off the V-style rail, the rail is cool and would be perfect for putting on a toolbox lid or something, but awkward in a socket drawer.
Hanson pegs, Olsa long rails, Workpro short rails Olsa drop-ins, EZ-Red flexible 1/4" and 3/8", Toolbox Widgets modular, and even an Ernst socket boss kind of hidden in the back...
Definitely representing a variety of organizer solutions in this drawer!
Moved a few more sets onto the Olsa long magnetic socket rails. they are very similar to the workpro (magnetic base, allow the socket to rotate on the rail so you can easily align the sizes to be visible), but Olsa offers longer rails, 20" long, which fits the drawer depth really well and can fit bigger sets on them. I took my new Astro Nano bits off the V-style rail, the rail is cool and would be perfect for putting on a toolbox lid or something, but awkward in a socket drawer.
Hanson pegs, Olsa long rails, Workpro short rails Olsa drop-ins, EZ-Red flexible 1/4" and 3/8", Toolbox Widgets modular, and even an Ernst socket boss kind of hidden in the back...
Definitely representing a variety of organizer solutions in this drawer!
banditbigdog
Well-known member
Lista trough organizers.
Andres26tnt
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VIM is like any other rebrander except they jack up prices, idk why people pay those prices
. They manufacturer like 1/3 of their inventory I think 
. Can't say tho because they don't say what they make, not sure why. If I made stuff, you bet I'll post it everywhere on my website.I set up two drawers' worth of reamers in that style. Works decently, protect the cutting edge too.Lista trough organizers.
For you Hansen guys, why are the sizes of the trays always different than the typical socket set? I don't want to buy a 20mm socket that won't match my up to 19 set, but an open peg would drive me crazy.
Good thread; I am looking at Ernst Socket Boss pretty hard for my next reorg.
Good thread; I am looking at Ernst Socket Boss pretty hard for my next reorg.
I never needed a 20mm socket that I can remember. Not even sure if I have one.
My original, deep, 3/8” set was a Snap-on that I purchased in 70’s while I was working in some in a motor cycle shop.
I guess back then the sets skipped sizes and nobody thought anything of it.
Also, @Chipm, as you can see in this photo I took for insurance purposes, my Hansen set holds a 21mm deep impact socket on the 20mm peg. Don‘t report me.
That 21mm socket, as well as the others in that row that have been replaced due to wear, don’t match the orginal 70’s set. That fact doesn’t keep me up at night.
That 21mm socket, as well as the others in that row that have been replaced due to wear, don’t match the orginal 70’s set. That fact doesn’t keep me up at night.
CoreyB
Member
I have mainly wright/matco rails for my sockets. I used Akro-mils or Quantum storage bins for extensions and other loose items, used some from both companies just to compare. There's some magnetic Ernst rails holding to long torx and hex sockets to the front of the drawer along with a magnetic holder for the 36" extension. I got the ratchet holders and bit organizer off Etsy, both 3d printed.
Wrench drawer is all Ernst. The organizers made it a little harder to fit everything though.
Some of my cart, also Ernst.
Wrench drawer is all Ernst. The organizers made it a little harder to fit everything though.
Some of my cart, also Ernst.
1Bad55Chevy
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21 on a 20 peg.... have you no shame? And to post here for everyone to see?!Also, @Chipm, as you can see in this photo I took for insurance purposes, my Hansen set holds a 21mm deep impact socket on the 20mm peg. Don‘t report me.
That 21mm socket, as well as the others in that row that have been replaced due to wear, don’t match the orginal 70’s set. That fact doesn’t keep me up at night.
Go ahead and throw away all your tools and leave the chat!
Lol, a few people asked about my somewhat sloppy drawer markings on my new toolbox...
When I'm setting up a new box, I often change my mind on layout, what goes where, etc.
The drawer markings are just neon colored. dry-erase markers, it wipes right off! Lets me change things around and not have to play the guessing game until I arrive at a final layout, at which point I'll print nice labels for the drawers, white on clear background.
I wasn't sure how well these neon dry erase markers would work black toolbox, but as you can see it shows up great! I'm thinking I'll also use them once I've finalized the tool layout to record any tool borrows or note a needed new tool or replacement.
When I'm setting up a new box, I often change my mind on layout, what goes where, etc.
The drawer markings are just neon colored. dry-erase markers, it wipes right off! Lets me change things around and not have to play the guessing game until I arrive at a final layout, at which point I'll print nice labels for the drawers, white on clear background.
I wasn't sure how well these neon dry erase markers would work black toolbox, but as you can see it shows up great! I'm thinking I'll also use them once I've finalized the tool layout to record any tool borrows or note a needed new tool or replacement.
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I bet it is a lot, between members and lurkers.How much $$$ do you think has been dropped in last 19 days because of this thread?
I want to do my main metric drawer next, and eventually do my SAE drawer.
Some wrenches do not fit in shallow drawers with Ernst modular wrench organizers. Some examples of this would be the larger Stahlwille Motor 10 DOE’s and larger standard combination wrenches. I figure that I will need to buy some 3D printed modular wrench organizers, that lay the wrenches down more, to accommodate the larger wrenches… that, or I finally need to step up and buy a box with a legit wrench drawer…
You can see, in my picture above, that I used two organizers for each wrench of my three longer wrench sets. This was probably unnecessary, but it keeps them lined up really straight.
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I have the same issue, and I'm thinking the Alien Space Saver wrench holders would let me lay my larger wrenches at an angle since you can adjust the spacing between the holders.
And yes, this thread is going to cost me money.
1Bad55Chevy
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If you want I can come over and show you what a few gallons of oil/antifreeze and two dozen bags of oil dry look like on that floor. It will definitely be a life changer for you!Kaizen Foam
I like Kaizan but super inefficient for wrenches, but if you have the space it looks so clean. Can you share your socket drawer too?Kaizen Foam
I do love the what appears to be your effeciency of fewer tools. I always wonder why everyone (myself included) have so many screwdrivers. I always reach for the same couple vessel every time. Why do I still need the craftsman my dad gave me for Xmas when I was 19?
I've add plenty of that on this floor - the key is the right tool for the job, hence the floor cleaner:
I have the sockets in the holders they came in, in a drawer that isn't tuned up yet. Actually, I plan to redo much of this as I will be building a cart that has all common tools and just keeping the less common in the tool cabinets.