Custom Toolbox Foam Organizers-An easier way...

[Shadowbox Tools]

Hi guys/gals,

I have been visiting Garage Journal for close to 7 years now. Similar to most of you, I like garages,tools and toolboxes. In my quest to make a clean and organized work space for myself, I wanted to cut foam tool organizers for my own use.

I quickly realized how tough it is to do a high quality job while being time effective.

Over the last few months, I have been writing software to automate the production of these foam tool organizers. I figured the best way to allow other people to enjoy this level of organization is to commercialize it. Now I'm at the point in development where I can start offering this is a service to the general public.

I hate reading super long posts as much as the next guy, so here's a quick video on how it works.
( I tried to embed the video, but that doesn't seem to work. So I just made a screen shot of Youtube page with a link to video in the image)


Here is a link to the website: https://shadowbox.tools


If you guys any feedback,comments or questions, feel to reply back. I will be happy to answer them!

Mods: I read the rules a few times, and I believe I'm posting this in the right place and under the right conditions. If not, let me know, and I will happily delete/modify things as necessary.

Here's my old account if you guys are curious. It's been a while since I posted, but stalk GJ more often than I would like

 

[topcok88]

Love it! Would love to see more!

 

[WhoWhatNow]

How thick is the foam you are using? Could wrenches be stood on their side? What is the minimum spacing between tools (wrenches for instance)? If you couldn't tell I am trying to condense as much as i can into the smallest space possible

 

[cajunfirehawk]

On your website you show 3 colors; black, blue, red, is there an option to choose colors?

 

[matt_i]

My critique is that I dont think I could never get all of the tools straight enough to look square and parallel, etc.

The nut drivers in the weblink are "off" of visual parallel and that would be a perennial bother to me because I would focus on that forevermore.

 

[Shadowbox Tools]

Love it! Would love to see more!

Hi Topcok88,

Thank you for the kind words, Is there anything in particular you wanted to see? Or more before/after images?

 

[Shadowbox Tools]

How thick is the foam you are using? Could wrenches be stood on their side? What is the minimum spacing between tools (wrenches for instance)? If you couldn't tell I am trying to condense as much as i can into the smallest space possible

Hi WhoWhatNow,

The top layer of foam is 1/2", the bottom contrasting layer is 1/4". So the total thickness of the foam insert is 3/4".

I'm pretty sure there wouldn't be enough material to stand up the wrenches via the foam alone. However, I'm starting to like the idea of a "hybrid" tool organization setup for people who are more space constrained. Combine wrench racks with foam, which allow you to get the best of both worlds. I'm brainstorming a solution now. I'll get back to you on it, if I can figure out a clean solution.

The minimum spacing between tools is 1 finger width apart, so about .5". Any thinner than that, then laminating the foam pieces together becomes quite difficult to correctly.

Thank you for the great feedback! I'll update the website to better answer the questions that you had.

 

[Shadowbox Tools]

On your website you show 3 colors; black, blue, red, is there an option to choose colors?

Hi Todd,

Good eye! For right now, the only color option I have available is a black foam top layer, and a red bottom layer. I can change that down the line, if their is enough interest in other colors. I figured black top/and a red bottom, looks "universally good" for most toolboxes.

The blue foam images was from one of the early prototypes, I'll update the website to reflect the color options, and change the images to make everything consistent.

Todd, Were there any color options that you wanted in particular?

 

[memphisnate]

My critique is that I dont think I could never get all of the tools straight enough to look square and parallel, etc.

The nut drivers in the weblink are "off" of visual parallel and that would be a perennial bother to me because I would focus on that forevermore.

Very cool idea...as easy as you can make it go from picture to reality the better.

I wonder if you could do some post-processing on the image to straighten / align the tools. If you could get all the tools as separate objects in the image/file then do an auto-align, you could make it easier on the customer.

 

[Shadowbox Tools]

My critique is that I dont think I could never get all of the tools straight enough to look square and parallel, etc.

The nut drivers in the weblink are "off" of visual parallel and that would be a perennial bother to me because I would focus on that forevermore.

Hi Matt and Memphisnate,

You and I both!

The blue foam image was one of the first prototypes I made, I didn't realize how much of an issue keeping this square and parallel would be without external rulers/squares.

Now I use rulers and squares during the layout phase to assist with keeping everything square and aligned. I use a small amount of clay on the bottom of tools that tend to roll/move.

Down the line, I'll have everything fixed via software. Meaning, In real life you can do a "good" enough job keeping things lined up. Then the software will auto align/rotate everything.

As trivial as that feature may sound, it will take me some time to implement. I can't make any promises on a release date for that specific feature. But it's definitely a high priority for me.

EDIT: Memphisnate, your faster than I can type! You read my mind.

 

[Brian_WK]

Great Idea! I gave it Thumbs up on you tube. I was wondering how long it would be before something like this would come out to simplify the shadowing process. I figured it would be a app instead of a picture. I'm guessing the quarters in the corners are what gives you the scale?

Brian

 

[Brian_WK]

Hi Matt and Memphisnate,

You and I both!

The blue foam image was one of the first prototypes I made, I didn't realize how much of an issue keeping this square and parallel would be without external rulers/squares.

Now I use rulers and squares during the layout phase to assist with keeping everything square and aligned. I use a small amount of clay on the bottom of tools that tend to roll/move.

Down the line, I'll have everything fixed via software. Meaning, In real life you can do a "good" enough job keeping things lined up. Then the software will auto align/rotate everything.

As trivial as that feature may sound, it will take me some time to implement. I can't make any promises on a release date for that specific feature. But it's definitely a high priority for me.

EDIT: Memphisnate, your faster than I can type! You read my mind.

Would your software as-is be able to differentiate between a solid background and say a black 1x1 grid printed on white paper laid on the bottom of the toolbox to help with the tool alignment?

Brian

 

[Shadowbox Tools]

Great Idea! I gave it Thumbs up on you tube. I was wondering how long it would be before something like this would come out to simplify the shadowing process. I figured it would be a app instead of a picture. I'm guessing the quarters in the corners are what gives you the scale?

Brian

Hi Brian,

Thank you for the thumbs up!

You're correct on the quarters. I still measure the drawers with a tape measure as well. That way I can guarantee that the insert will be scaled correctly.

An app via your phone is the long term goal, but I figured should I should release this project sooner rather than later. An email with a file attachment is ALOT easier technically than releasing a full blown app.

I agree with you 100%, the process needs to be as friction-less as possible, and the app is in the works.

I appreciate the feedback! Let me know if you have any other questions

 

[Shadowbox Tools]

Would your software as-is be able to differentiate between a solid background and say a black 1x1 grid printed on white paper laid on the bottom of the toolbox to help with the tool alignment?

Brian

That's a great suggestion! The algorithm will struggle a little.But given enough time, it will work around it.

 

[bochnak]

Cool idea. Best of luck!

 

[cajunfirehawk]

Hi Todd,

Good eye! For right now, the only color option I have available is a black foam top layer, and a red bottom layer. I can change that down the line, if their is enough interest in other colors. I figured black top/and a red bottom, looks "universally good" for most toolboxes.

The blue foam images was from one of the early prototypes, I'll update the website to reflect the color options, and change the images to make everything consistent.

Todd, Were there any color options that you wanted in particular?

For me personally, those are good BUT if you hang out around here often, it appears a lot of the guys like those cool Snap-On colors so I can see some wanting the cool neon green and some of the other hip colors snap-on sells their tools in.

 

[blacksporty]

Wow, it allows me to spend more on the organizer than I did for the tool box.

Your measurements should be width and length, height, to me anyway is like depth, a vertical measurement.

 

[rburke65]

I think this is a great idea

 

[pcmeiners]

As to fit, perhaps after the paid setup, have the laser/cutter produce and exact fit paper overlay for each drawer, as mentioned with a grid. Granted a client might try cutting himself but getting decently paid for setup would alleviate wasted time.

 

[aka Larry]

If you could label the bottom foam so one knows what goes in that slot, that would be awesome addition IMO. Just a thought since we're brainstorming here.

 

[Richard Cranium]

interesting, now I will have to go home and measure how wide and deep my drawers are.

 

[Wileel]

Shadowbox; Tons of questions...
Can you please tell what type of foam you are using. I see the site says PE, is it crosslinked PE (XPE) and what weight is it?
Any close ups of the surface texture..is it smooth or rough?
Any minimum order or maximum tools be sheet?

For what its worth I was about to order box foam this week and start cutting...depending on your answers you will have a customer

 

[Shadowbox Tools]

Shadowbox; Tons of questions...
Can you please tell what type of foam you are using. I see the site says PE, is it crosslinked PE (XPE) and what weight is it?
Any close ups of the surface texture..is it smooth or rough?
Any minimum order or maximum tools be sheet?

For what its worth I was about to order box foam this week and start cutting...depending on your answers you will have a customer

Hello Wileel,

Great questions!

Based on your questions, I'm assuming this isn't your first rodeo with shadowing.

The material is in fact crosslinked @ 2lb density.

In terms of close ups, I'll push an update to the site tonight with higher resolution pictures and answers to all the questions you and the other GJ members had.

To accurately describe the foam, it's more of a " felt feeling" than it is rough.

I have a limited quantity of the "rough" stuff on hand, depending on how many drawers you want done, I might be able fulfill it with the "rough"foam if you prefer that.

There are no minimum orders in terms of number of inserts, just be mindful that shipping is calculated on top of the price. (The shipping price is whatever USPS quotes me)

The price per insert doesn't change with respect to the number of tool cutouts. Just be mindful of the min spacing between tools. (Roughly .5")

 

[Shadowbox Tools]

Shadowbox; Tons of questions...
Can you please tell what type of foam you are using. I see the site says PE, is it crosslinked PE (XPE) and what weight is it?
Any close ups of the surface texture..is it smooth or rough?
Any minimum order or maximum tools be sheet?

For what its worth I was about to order box foam this week and start cutting...depending on your answers you will have a customer

Hi Wileel,

It looks like I might be having technical issues in responding to your PM. If you haven't seen my response via PM, let me know. I will try to debug the problem,or shoot me an email at [email protected]

 

[Shadowbox Tools]

I'll give this a shot.
I'll have my order in late next week.
There's tool sorting to do first.
This will the for the offroad rig.
No rattles, no tools left trail side.
I'll glue them to thin board and layer them up.

Hi ducksface,

Great idea with the offroad rig! If you want I can cut some holes on the sides of the foam. That way you can tie some paracord to it.

It will make some nifty handles that pack down easily, and make it easy to stack multiple pieces of foam inside a lock-box.

 

[Wileel]

Unfortunately its not my first rodeo, 22+ yrs in the USAF as an aircraft mechanic and now as a contractor Ive cut more foam than I care to remember...lol. I was hoping the foam was a little more dense, Im used to using 4# or 6#...esp on the lower layer. I got your PM...I respond right now

 

[A**holes Garage]

I'd need about 20 roller toolboxes if I spaced all my tools like that in a drawer

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I'd need about 20 roller toolboxes if I spaced all my tools like that in a drawer

Me too. I think it's great service being offered, it's just not something that would work for me unless I had HUGE storage capacity. I've always worked out of a standard 26" top and bottom box combo. Back when I started in the auto service industry that's really all there was. The Snap On "condos" they have these days were few and even today many of the ones I see being used are mostly wasted space. A 41" x 18" drawer with about 29 combo wrenches in it doesn't make sense to me.
The foam shadowboxes are really great for tool sets that are mobilized frequently.

Tommy

 

[Excelerater]

always ways to make more tools fit a draw

nice idea but I want engineering,someone smarter than me to
show me a better way to store my 200000000 tools

 

[moparguy01]

I love the idea. However like others said, I'd need a Room of tools to do it with that much spacing. If you figure out how to put the wrenches on their sides, I'm in. I may still get one for my screwdrivers though.