Tool Chest Layout? How do you organize yours...

[pfbz]

I just bought myself a CSPS/Costco 41" Tool chest combo. My older 27" chest has been overflowing for years and at $400 for the black combo, I could no longer resist. It's all assembled and standing empty. Bottom cabinet is all full-width drawers, top cabinet is all 2/3'd 1/3'd split drawers. No "bucket" drawers which is fine with me.

Seems like an obvious question, but any suggestions or tips on laying out my tools within the chest? I'll likely live with whatever I do for another 10+ years so I thought I might take a little time and think about it...

Obviously it depends on what *your* particular tools are, but like most, I have lots of frequently used metric, a fair amount of rarely used standards, tons of ratchet/extensions, full t-handle sets for sockets and allen's, etc.

What are your brilliant tool layouts and ideas?

 

[Red Green]

Start with your most used tools at about waist high in your box and work up and down with your tools that are not used as much.

 

[Uncle Buck]

First post, welcome to the board. Reds advice sounds good for a rule of thumb. I will add a bit too.

Some guys put all their sockets and ratchets all together in one drawer. I do not like that setup. I suggest separating your SAE and metric tools into different drawers. I use the very top of my top box for nothing but 1/2" drive SAE, I use another drawer for my 1/4" stuff, another for 3/8" etc. You might have to play around with it a bit to get it figured to suit you, just start filling it up, you will figure out what you like soon enough.

BTW: Congrats on the box, it looks very nice to me.

 

[pfbz]

I'll definitely be splitting the metric & standard. Splitting off the 1/2" stuff hadn't occured to me, but makes sense as it doesn't get frequent use.

With all the drawers I was thinking of splitting phillips and standard screwdrivers as well instead of one big, messy screwdriver drawer... Sound crazy?

 

[toadjammer]

When I was trying to organize my tool box I already had a set of sockets and they were hard to organize eficiantly and find easily. Well I went looking around at different organizers and found out that alot of them didn't lay them out in a way you could see them all flat. So I purchased a set empty box like this. After purchasing it I realized my set wasn't exactly the same, so I went back when I noticed the set was on sale and purchased a new set kept the sizes that weren't in the new set and gave the old set to a friend. The drawers fit sideways and leave a little room for extras.

 

[toadjammer]

Was this something you purchased in the store? Because I don't have a Costco within 30 miles, but maybe worth checking out. Does it have ball bearing drawer slides?

 

[pfbz]

Yes, in-store and yes, ball bearing slides.

Even our local stores are inconsistent in which tool chests they carry. There are some on their web site as well, but not as well priced.

 

[Red Green]

Terabyte made a tread about Shadowing you might find interesting. I plan to do this to my box sometime soon http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25958&highlight=toolbox+shadowing

 

[Uncle Buck]

I'll definitely be splitting the metric & standard. Splitting off the 1/2" stuff hadn't occured to me, but makes sense as it doesn't get frequent use.

With all the drawers I was thinking of splitting phillips and standard screwdrivers as well instead of one big, messy screwdriver drawer... Sound crazy?

This is how I handled the separation of screwdrivers, the Phillips are all left of the divider, the balance are standard right of the divider, all in one drawer.

 

[<>Severed<>]

You know I never really thought about how I had mine organized. I know I have moved stuff around at least 10 different times, sometimes because of new tools sometimes because of new toolboxes. The best thing I found for me is to start putting stuff in it and start using it and see if it works and change it as you go. I know one thing I was bad about was not wanting to change my first attempt but got over that quick. Good luck.

 

[dps]

If you haven't already seen the Show Us Your Toolbox thread, you'll want to browse all 18,000 pages of that for some ideas. There is a full range of examples from ridiculously **** to psychotically trashed. I'm with you on giving it a bit of forethought; I just got another top chest and am taking my time on rearranging everything.

 

[bomber]

Seein as how you're a rider, it's clearly you'll have inch and metric (Whitworth, he asks, smiling?).

3/8 vs 1/2 and 1/4 is a good idea as well -- spliting screwdrivers as to type works well -- I've got a drawer of bike specific tools as well (fork oil level tool, spring compressor, like that).

Torque wrenches in a separate drawer so they're not banged around more than necessary --

Severed raises a good point -- don't be bashful about coming to the conclusion that your original scheme doesn't work well, and falling back 5 yards and starting over --

My only problem is that, unlike many here, the drawers in my roll cab aren't high enough for deepwell sockets to stand upright --

SInce this is my only problem, you would be correct in assuming that I'm one heck of a lucky fella!

;-}

Most of all, have fun with the project!

 

[isaac338]

(fork oil level tool...

ruler with masking tape? turkey baster? haha

 

[bomber]

ruler with masking tape? turkey baster? haha

SSSshhhhhhh -- I've got my buds convinced it's a high-tech Motion-Pro prototype!

 

[sberry]

I am not a neat freek, I want it handy.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I am not a neat freek, I want it handy.

I really like the way you do your tools.

 

[burger]

I really like the way you do your tools.

+1 to that!

If efficiency is the end goal, then organization is part of the path to success.

With the right tools readily at hand, no time is wasted looking for missing tools or walking from location to location to gather scattered tools.

Too much organization though, and time is wasted over-cleaning the tools and putting them away "just so."



Ed

 

[Rockwieser]

I just bought myself a CSPS/Costco 41" Tool chest combo. My older 27" chest has been overflowing for years and at $400 for the black combo, I could no longer resist. It's all assembled and standing empty. Bottom cabinet is all full-width drawers, top cabinet is all 2/3'd 1/3'd split drawers. No "bucket" drawers which is fine with me.

Seems like an obvious question, but any suggestions or tips on laying out my tools within the chest? I'll likely live with whatever I do for another 10+ years so I thought I might take a little time and think about it...

Obviously it depends on what *your* particular tools are, but like most, I have lots of frequently used metric, a fair amount of rarely used standards, tons of ratchet/extensions, full t-handle sets for sockets and allen's, etc.

What are your brilliant tool layouts and ideas?

Nice box man!
I just bought this little gem for 300.00

When I was trying to organize my tool box I already had a set of sockets and they were hard to organize eficiantly and find easily. Well I went looking around at different organizers and found out that alot of them didn't lay them out in a way you could see them all flat. So I purchased a set empty box like this. After purchasing it I realized my set wasn't exactly the same, so I went back when I noticed the set was on sale and purchased a new set kept the sizes that weren't in the new set and gave the old set to a friend. The drawers fit sideways and leave a little room for extras.

I have this tool set and the drawers fit right into my new tool box perfectly. Then when I go on wheeling trips I can just take them out and put them together and I am ready to go.

 

[Nuit Damnant]

Most of all, have fun with the project!

+1 Totally agree but how can you not? This is probably the only project that you'll ever have that you will get to play with EVERY TOOL YOU OWN!

One thing that seems to be different for me, I like having all my sockets in the same drawer. Metric on the right because I use them more(right handed) and Standard to the left. I do however like to keep my std/metric wrenches in seperate drawers with my basic combo set laid out flat for easy access. Of course at least one misc junk drawer as well

Good luck!

 

[toadjammer]

Here is a picture of the drawer I was talking about. I thought it worked well. Makes it really nice when getting done with a job to take a look and make sure everything is put away.

 

[kbs2244]

Most used stuff in the center.
As said, about waist high.
Heavy, seldom used stuff in the bottom.
Light seldom used stuff in the top.
You don't want it to tip over on you.
I use color coded rubber shelf liner from Wally's to keep metric from SAE, 1/4 drive from 3/8 drive, from 1/2 drive.
Think about upgrading the casters before you fill it up.
They are the foundation of the whole box and one of the first places they cut corners.

 

[dps]

Too much organization though, and time is wasted over-cleaning the tools and putting them away "just so."

On that rationale, why waste time keeping your car clean, it'll just get dirty again...

 

[Uncle Buck]

On that rationale, why waste time keeping your car clean, it'll just get dirty again...

And your point? Sounds rational to me!

 

[Dust]

At work I have all my most used tools in the most easily accessable drawers. This means the ones at about waist height. I don't specialize these drawers with one particular type of tool, rather I include the most used of a particular type and keep the rest in its own drawer. I also don't give SAE and metric their own drawers, simply because I don't have enough tools of either to warrant it. It's easier to just divide one drawer and have it laid out efficiently.

The flip-top of my Stack-On box contains all my 3/8 metric sockets, a couple different ratchets, my air ratchet, some screwdrivers, prybars, a trim prying tool, and driver bits. The top box of my Matco chest has my main hammer, wrenches, some inspection flashlights, oil filter wrenches, and blowgun. These tools I use on a daily basis at work. The rest get their own drawer in either box. You can see how I have my tools set up here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=327454#post327454

Start with your most used tools and work around those. The last thing you want is your most used socket in the bottom drawer, covered in tools you don't use. You want it where it can be easily grabbed.

 

[burger]

Too much organization though, and time is wasted over-cleaning the tools and putting them away "just so."

On that rationale, why waste time keeping your car clean, it'll just get dirty again...

Note that I said over-cleaning. I'm not suggesting that you should put greasy tools back in your box. That being said, there's a fine line between cleaning your tools before putting them away and wasting time being **** retentive.

As far as my truck goes, I wash it when it gets dirty and I wax it before and after winter to preserve the paint.

Here's the nuts of it: I only get so much free time and I like to be productive with it.


Ed

 

[davestonner]

i don't know about tool organization, but MAN you have some sweet machines there! drooling...

 

[mikeyr]

Top drawer BSF and Witworth Metric tools
Second drawer Metric
third screwdrivers, pliers, stuff like that
Fourth torque wrenches, electrical tools
fifth VOM and other bulky stuff
Last drawer SAE wrenches and sockets

Basically most used at the top and work my way down to least used.