Looking for suggestions/ideas on how to organize my power tool cabinet

[switchgear12470]

Link to picture of cabinet.

I have a 48" wide Husky cabinet I use to keep my more valuable/portable power tools. All the garages around here are detached and break-ins are not uncommon (usually it's for bikes), so I like having these tucked away behind a locked door where they can't be seen.

As you can see, the tools are just kind of strewn about, some piled up. Has anyone tackled power tool organization in a confined area before? Since they are all different shapes and sizes I'm thinking of maybe making cubbies out of plywood, but I'm open to any other suggestions or ideas that have worked for others.

 

[kbuhagiar]

The link doesn't work (access denied by imgur).

 

[switchgear12470]

The link doesn't work (access denied by imgur).

Odd. Here it is:

 

[kbuhagiar]

Odd. Here it is:

Honestly...that doesn't look bad at all. Looks more organized than 99% of the garages I've seen (including mine).
The biggest problem for most folks is actally having a dedicated space/cabinet where they can see all of the tools at-a-glance. But you already have a dedicated tool cabinet.

What is it you don't like? Appearance (i.e. you don't like the way it looks)? Or do you have a problem actually locating a specific tool?

You may be overthinking it.

 

[switchgear12470]

Honestly...that doesn't look bad at all. Looks more organized than 99% of the garages I've seen (including mine).
The biggest problem for most folks is actally having a dedicated space/cabinet where they can see all of the tools at-a-glance. But you already have a dedicated tool cabinet.

What is it you don't like? Appearance (i.e. you don't like the way it looks)? Or do you have a problem actually locating a specific tool?

You may be overthinking it.

The (first world) problem is that grabbing a specific tool is annoying, because they all get tangled together or catch on each other.

 

[CMB41]

The (first world) problem is that grabbing a specific tool is annoying, because they all get tangled together or catch on each other.

Even out shelf levels, put battery powered tools on one shelf, corded above or below. Line up types on both shelves- cordless sanders above corded sanders etc. Coil the cords, put a Velcro or elastic cord tie on them. If you want to go totally nuts you can put the coiled cords in drawstring bags so they don’t snag. Good luck

 

[kbuhagiar]

The (first world) problem is that grabbing a specific tool is annoying, because they all get tangled together or catch on each other.

OK, got it.

Installing a network of cubbyholes will just reduce the amount of available space.

Are the shelves adjustable? If so, try re-configuring shelf locations to optimize shelf storage space. Then just play around with different placement strategies.

DISCLAIMER: At some point you may discover that it isn't really worth the effort.

 

[jmiller_2308]

Agree that if you put cubbies in or other ways of separating the storage that you are likely going to lose space.

That said, the one suggestion I'd have is to build hangers for the Ryobi one+ stuff and mount the hanger to the bottom of a shelf or even a built in stand that has cubbies underneath to accommodate tools that won't hang.

Perhaps something like this from Ryobi only make it yourself.

 

[gahrajmahal]

I often take my tools on the road for jobs at family or friends houses so I keep each individual tool in a separate case along with all the consumables and tools that go with it. While at home, I take the tool to the worksite, ie. kitchen, bathroom, bedroom. In the garage we keep two cars in there along with all my tools so the tool boxes are kept on heavy duty shelves. In your case, I’d put on lockable doors on the shelves. Then while working in the garage, or more often, in the driveway, I pull out my 8 ft. Long plastic table and I grab whatever tool and case and work off of the table. Sometimes I make a special carryall like I did for my cordless drill and driver. Here is that thread. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...-driver-dock-tote-ditch-your-tool-bag.485871/

 

[crewchief888]

i'd be happy with that cabinet setup.
my cordless and corded power tools are stashed wherever with will fit (and get used most0

 

[67King]

Get some of those 3D printed, inexpensive tool holders like this: Etsy link thing

I've started doing this for my tools, albeit on a shelf at home so I don't have security. But you can mount some from the bottom of a shelf so some will hang upside down over ones sitting upright. I'll add a pic of my M12 stuff in a moment. Still have to do my M18 stuff, but it has been great to have this stuff have a place.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Imgur doesnt play well with 3rd party links...Just an FYI.

The cabinet makes great storage. I thi k it just needs organized. Sort your tool out to corded/cordless and job type.

Maybe build some sheet metal dividers that can be riveted in place. They don't have to be full depth but 3-4". That's enoughe to get ypur nailers to sit up vertically, using less of a foot print.

Consider putting your cased tools else where, in another cabinet possibly.

Chargers and batteries. It's nice to gave them in the metal cabinet in case of fire to help prevent spread but that is vauble tool space. The flip side to having them out on a shelf is they can air movement and not build up heat. Possibly raise top shelf up for battery storage. All those tools, I would think you have a decent amount of batteries.

 

[kngelv]

All of my stuff is similar to yours but in a larger cabinet with more tools. I hate it and am looking at Milwaukee wall mount packout but that won't help you much. I'm interested to see what ideas people have. Just a thought. What if you took out all the shelves and did some sort of wall mount thing but in the cabinet? The bottom could still have all your cased tools.

James

 

[67King]

Get some of those 3D printed, inexpensive tool holders like this: Etsy link thing

I'll add a pic of my M12 stuff in a moment.

 

[Hohn]

I always though a slide out pegboard wall was a great option for these kinds of things.

I've got a concept sketched out using uni strut and a strut trolley that can hang pegboard sheet from a strut in such a way to make it slide in and out.
I forget the commercial version I had seen that gave me the idea to try to fab a copy of their $3000 storage rack.