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

[1Bad55Chevy]

Wrench Rack

Take your wrench organization to the next level with the Westling Wrench Rack. Designed for both SAE and Metric wrenches. Built for both drawer storage or space-saving wall mount. Crafted from aluminum and finished with anodize. Made in the U.S.A. Dimensions Wrench Sizes 11 Slot W 7.25" x L 9.5"...

www.westlingusa.com

Westlingusa.com just released these.... I guess I was expecting something more exciting from them... I have been waiting for a wrench organizer from them forever all to be let down.

 

[LWB]

Just ordered some Alien space saver wrench rails to replace these in front. I want to reorganize this cart. You can see a VIM magrail in the rear. Expensive but awesome. Magnetic pads on the lid. I have OEM wrench rails in my main box. I have magnetic socket holders at home. I have Ernst wrench rails at home too. I like them all so far. My least favorite wrench holder is the Ernst. These ones,

Ernst Manufacturing Wrench Rail Set, 20 Tool, Red : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement

Ernst Manufacturing Wrench Rail Set, 20 Tool, Red : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement

www.amazon.ca

 

[MidMoBob]

Kaizen Foam

A plastic pry tool encased in foam for protection?

 

[joecon]

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?

You need to keep it because your dad gave it to you, and you will never have one like it again?

 

[BWWgarage]

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?

You need to keep it because your dad gave it to you, and you will never have one like it again?

Agree, there is sentimental value and I’ll likely give them my son when he’s 19

But i have some other older, lower end quality that should just be tossed / donated.

 

[Jgaz]

You need to keep it because your dad gave it to you, and you will never have one like it again?

Yup!
Same reason I have some of my Dad’s mixed in with my “good” screwdrivers.

 

[Ohio Andy]

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?

Never can have too many...

 

[pfbz]

@pfbz
"Peanuts"??
Are there other drawers for beer and chips?

I figured labeling a drawer "Easter Eggs" would be too obvious?

 

[olsenmotorsports]

Lots of good info here! Someone asked about hammers….



I bought into a system called tool grid which ended up being pretty sweet. It is fully modular. Full Clarity it isn’t grab and go like the Hansen/ernst stuff etc but I have a roll around cart for that so it serves the purpose of organization well for me. I like to call tool grid the cheap mans foam lol.

I even use it for the hard to organize stuff like my punch/chisel drawer. Seems to work well? I am pretty particular about my strings having their place so this serves that need to satisfy well.


The small 2” drawers I use for ratchets and extensions - those have the tool grid as well. Im sure there are way better systems out there now! One of my co workers where I work just bought deep into the snap on cloud 9 system - wow what a presentation he has! I am super envious of that but I am too old to start over


Most of this Box is done in tool grid but I don’t want to spam this thread up with useless photos! Ask and I will show!

 

[Jgaz]

@olsenmotorsports
Exceptional organization
The pry bars and wheel bearing cap puller in their own little holder is next level!

Asking!

 

[zmotorsports]

You need to keep it because your dad gave it to you, and you will never have one like it again?

I wish I had gotten to my dad's shed before he passed and grabbed more of his tools to keep alongside mine. I have become more sentimental about such things as I have gotten older and I can only hope that my tools will mean something to my son and grandson one day.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

I wish I had gotten to my dad's shed before he passed and grabbed more of his tools to keep alongside mine. I have become more sentimental about such things as I have gotten older and I can only hope that my tools will mean something to my son and grandson one day.

The morning after Dad died we were going through things in his house and my much older brother and sister asked me if there was anything I specifically wanted and I said his tools because he always said that I could have them and that my brother already had all the tools he needed. I still use the 1/2 “ CMan breaker bar from the set that he either got as a present for HS graduation or used his graduation money on in 1948. No chrome on it scarred from a longer piece of pipe used on it same with the almost all original 1/4” drive socket set with a “butterfly” ratchet. I gave my son the CMan toolbox that I gave Dad for Xmas in the early ‘70s which he uses with the dents in it where it had been dropped off the tailgate of the pickup more than once. I told him that he can do whatever with the tools that were left in it after I pulled out the CMan V and VV wrenches, but he was never to get rid of the toolbox. Which he won’t because it’s one of the things that he has that really connects him to his grandpa.

 

[gilbo]

I, 3D printed the Mantis/Matco Tool Grid system, for literally a fraction of the cost (almost 80% saving) that Mantis wanted. I can't believe people willing to pay that much
I printed the the Mantis grid, the socket holders and wrench holders.
For my pliers, I also printed holders for my ratchets, pliers, and screwdrivers.

 

[gilbo]

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.

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.

Totally agree 3D printing is the way to go.

 

[Andres26tnt]

Totally agree 3D printing is the way to go.

Yeah the price of entry for tool grid is just insane . Also 3d print will give you a custom plate for any box, No need to cut your plate to fit. The file are available everywhere and they are easy to remix.

 

[olsenmotorsports]

@olsenmotorsports
Exceptional organization
The pry bars and wheel bearing cap puller in their own little holder is next level!

Asking!

I am not sure about that bud! I think next level is the people MAKING their own tool grid. To be honest I am jealous of having that amount of bandwidth available to design and make a product like that. Between life, family, business’s, houses etc I forget to eat let alone take a project like that. Trying to figure out what I did wrong in life at the moment

 

[olsenmotorsports]

Metric wrench’s - I moved this drawer to the top so it is closer to eye level - really helps to identify looking across rather than down. Just one of those few seconds each trip that adds up to big dollars at the end of the year for efficiency



Metric Sockets Out of room in this drawer, but I am grateful that I have most options available for most situations I get myself into.




Screwdriver drawer..



Brake service. Also here are my old MAC BOPA’s long since retired. I use the 13mm running the overheads on the Porsche, These have a lot of sentimental value to me, Old timer getting out of the trade gifted these to me my first year on the job. First set of nice wrenches I ever had and at that point in life I didn’t have a pot to piss in. Meant the world to me and still does to this day.

 

[gilbo]

Yeah the price of entry for tool grid is just insane . Also 3d print will give you a custom plate for any box, No need to cut your plate to fit. The file are available everywhere and they are easy to remix.

Yea, when I started pricing out the Toolgrid system, when the amount of the Toolgrid was up to the price of the 3D printer and it didn't finish out the the storage of my tools. I was like yea time for 3D printer instead.

Being able to print the custom size to fit, just makes the box look so much smoother.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

I am not sure about that bud! I think next level is the people MAKING their own tool grid. To be honest I am jealous of having that amount of bandwidth available to design and make a product like that. Between life, family, business’s, houses etc I forget to eat let alone take a project like that. Trying to figure out what I did wrong in life at the moment

Remember people on here or mostly downloading the files and hitting print. There are so many websites with free files of toolbox organizers that there is absolutely no reason to design anything yourself.

 

[BWWgarage]

Playing with my screwdriver drawer. Jammed some paint sticks and foam for a pressure fit. Fairly optimized for space/density and easy enough to find what I’m looking for. Elimanated the wasted space with bins. Now I need to look at a similar, but more permanent’ish solution.

 

[Madjik Man]

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.

This is awesome. I think for my socket organization I’m going to this/Tool Grid route. I just can’t find anything that satisfies my needs with the various sets/sizes I have. VIM Magrails would be perfect but it’s ridiculously priced.

Question: do those long bit holders and deep socket holders pivot?

 

[StickyRX]

A plastic pry tool encased in foam for protection?

No, in foam to have a place for it and a shadow. We practice lean manufacturing and the concept of "a place for everything and everything in it's place" I don't like to waste time looking for stuff.

 

[Madjik Man]

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?

You need to keep it because your dad gave it to you, and you will never have one like it again?

I’m in the same boat. Got away with the awful Craftsman mid-90s screwdriver set (6 pc) for 30 years. Bought the Made in USA Tekton hard handle large set (16 pc) as an upgrade. Bought Vessel screwdrivers as an upgrade to that (8 pc). Now I have 30 screwdrivers and I reach for the same two every time. But it’s hard for me to get rid of those original Craftsman (even though I hate the handles so much) because of all the time we spent together doing lots of things, lol

However I must say if there’s any chance of prying/jamming/banging I grab the Tekton every time.

 

[Dig Doug]

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.

What is this ? Looks like a ratchet handle

 

[AJHD]

What is this ? Looks like a ratchet handle

No idea what brand it is, but it's an oxygen sensor wrench like this one...

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

 

[Andres26tnt]

This is awesome. I think for my socket organization I’m going to this/Tool Grid route. I just can’t find anything that satisfies my needs with the various sets/sizes I have. VIM Magrails would be perfect but it’s ridiculously priced.

Question: do those long bit holders and deep socket holders pivot?

They are stationary, don't want them to move when closing drawers. But you just gave me a idea . Would be cool to design a pivot version on a rail maybe . Something similar to the KTC magnetic pivot socket rail.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

What is this ? Looks like a ratchet handle

O2 sensor wrench. Not sure the brand..

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Does anyone organise (perhaps partially) based on task rather than type of tool?

For example, having an electronics box or a plumbing box. I don't have enough stuff to warrant this approach myself, but I've seen this done. You just grab the box which includes the tools and most common fittings etc. for that task. So for example you'd have the right pliers etc. for the task with all the kit for that task, rather than have all your pliers in one big drawer.

I suppose it depends on what work you do, how varied it is, where you do it, and your appetite for having duplicates.

 

[Hakeem]

Ok I just recently got my wrenches organized in a semi-presentable manner. Sadly my toolbox doesn’t have a full length wrench drawer so I split it up metric & SAE:

It’s a mixture of the Ernst “sharks teeth” style organizers and the Ernst Pro Modular organizers.



Although now that I’m looking at my metric drawer, I’m bothered by the deep offset box wrenches laying vertically while everything else is horizontal ….

 

[Skellyii]

Does anyone organise (perhaps partially) based on task rather than type of tool?

For example, having an electronics box or a plumbing box. I don't have enough stuff to warrant this approach myself, but I've seen this done. You just grab the box which includes the tools and most common fittings etc. for that task. So for example you'd have the right pliers etc. for the task with all the kit for that task, rather than have all your pliers in one big drawer.

I suppose it depends on what work you do, how varied it is, where you do it, and your appetite for having duplicates.

Yes, I used to have several rental properties so I would have an electrical bag, a plumbing bag and a standard fix it bag that I kept in a separate cabinet, since I had a smaller toolbox back then.

 

[StickyRX]

Does anyone organise (perhaps partially) based on task rather than type of tool?

For example, having an electronics box or a plumbing box. I don't have enough stuff to warrant this approach myself, but I've seen this done. You just grab the box which includes the tools and most common fittings etc. for that task. So for example you'd have the right pliers etc. for the task with all the kit for that task, rather than have all your pliers in one big drawer.

I suppose it depends on what work you do, how varied it is, where you do it, and your appetite for having duplicates.

At my shop we made an electrical / IT cart for this exact reason

 

[StickyRX]

Guys, as we practice the Toyota Production System and Lean Manufacturing, we work everyday to eliminate waste.

One suggestion regarding whatever system you use to organize:

Try to position your tools / orientate them such that you can reach for them, grab them without the need to re-orientate in your hand thereafter. So for example, place hammers in the tool box with handle down and even better, rotated the way it will be used. Yes, that can take more room and I understand it can't always be done but it's something to think about.

Seconds matter.

 

[BWWgarage]

Thanks for the inspiration … I had my stubbies and Blackhawk USA in pouches. Grabbed some harbor freight organizers that have been sitting for 10yrs never used, cut to size and have access to them now. Also used scrap kaizen foam for an adjustable holder ... not pretty but functional. I’m mixed on the tray organizers for my old USA craftsman.

 

[LWB]

Ok I just recently got my wrenches organized in a semi-presentable manner. Sadly my toolbox doesn’t have a full length wrench drawer so I split it up metric & SAE:

It’s a mixture of the Ernst “sharks teeth” style organizers and the Ernst Pro Modular organizers.



Although now that I’m looking at my metric drawer, I’m bothered by the deep offset box wrenches laying vertically while everything else is horizontal ….

Just an observation, but your short ring wrenches could go to the left of your longer ring wrenches. Small on bottom and larger on top. That would give you room, I think, for your deep offset horizontal up top.

 

[richfinn]

A plastic pry tool encased in foam for protection?

Identification most probably, much like aeroplanes you don't want any foreign objects getting sucked into a Ferrari engine

 

[LWB]

Okay, here's an unedited mess. I haven't touched it since we moved a year ago. This is at home. Magnetic socket holder, socket holders from Canadian tire and some random Etorx holder. OEM wench rails,



A magnetic screwdriver holder from Canadian tire.



And my favorite tool organizer for getting tools around the house (Renovating)

 

[LXCam]

Ok I just recently got my wrenches organized in a semi-presentable manner. Sadly my toolbox doesn’t have a full length wrench drawer so I split it up metric & SAE:

It’s a mixture of the Ernst “sharks teeth” style organizers and the Ernst Pro Modular organizers.



Although now that I’m looking at my metric drawer, I’m bothered by the deep offset box wrenches laying vertically while everything else is horizontal ….

Hakeem, I found that the wrench rack that came with some ratchet wrenches fit my set perfectly.

 

[Pexto]

Wow, those are some beautiful paring chisels. I love those boxwood handles. Are they Sorby?

 

[CoreyB]

What is this ? Looks like a ratchet handle

As mentioned by others, it is a Snap On o2 sensor wrench.

 

[Sumboodie]

I have socket rails, that's it. I'd need 3 more toolboxes if I did organizers and trays... and I've already got 4. 2 24x48s bottoms, an 18x40 bottom, top and side cab, and an 18x24.
Would like to have wrenches on something, I just have an SAE and Metric drawer. Not enough room though.