Cheap tool storage for homeowner tools?

[VolvoRyan]

Hi All,

Relatively new homeowner here. While I love wrenching on cars as a hobby, DIY homeowner jobs spark me little joy. Most of the homeowner tools I've I bought for the house are pretty entry level. Storing those tools in a seemingly bottomless tool bag worked fine for a bit....

....until the 20 year-old furnace crapped out a couple weeks ago. Heat exchanger was unobtanium. All the professionals were pretty booked up for the holidays, and that monster cold front was on the horizon. I wound up having to do the DIY furnace swap. That meant adding some new tools, and having more of them out at once. It would have been kind of a fun job if I wasn't chasing tools everywhere. I mean, I lost a PVC saw in a stack of papers.

I need to get an organizational system in place for the basement. I'm pretty methodical with keeping tools/parts organized in the garage, and that keeps the work enjoyable. Is there anything out there that beats a cheap roll cab? Are there any roll cabs cheaper than HF worth having? What do you all do? I'm kinda limited in my options like wall and workbench storage until we get the basement unpacked after the big move.

Thanks!

-Ryan

 

[809]

5 gallon bucket with a bucket jockey (Bucket Boss, Husky, Milwaukee, etc) would work.

 

[pbon]

A used 26” chest should be cheap and common on Craigslist or Facebook since people upgrade. Some tools like circular saws are too bulky to fit in most drawers so find a chest with a really deep drawer or cabinet section. Another option would be to buy or build a 4’ workbench in the basement with a cabinet or shelf over it and a pegboard behind it.

I actually have all this stuff stored in a barn from when I upgraded. Workbench to 26” craftsman to two 26” with top boxes to three 42” HF chests and now to 29’ of New Age Pro chests and cabinets and benches. But I am in NH not KY.

 

[RTM]

Oh my, the difference in opinion in just two or three posts. I was gifted a bucket boss 20 years ago, and hated it. I've tried using it on household jobs and just hated it. Took it to remote jobs, and hated it even more. Tippy, awkward to find tools in the bottom, etc.

Nowadays, I use a pair of Craftsman gatemouth bags, with inner and outer pockets like the BB, but a lower profile, and it zips closed. Great for remote work, they don't spill in the truck bed.

When doing a job in the house, I load them up with the tools I expect to need, and go for it. 20 trips to the garage later, they have enough room to carry back all the extra tools and supplies I actually needed.

They are about 12 &16" long, so even a hacksaw fits. I don't keep them packed, as plumbing and wiring and caulking jobs require three very disparate tool sets. I keep an open top tool tote for under the house work, and a giant one for yard work, which does stay packed .

As a newbie homeowner, I started with a 26" chest sitting on the workbench, and upgraded to a stack, Stack w riser, 60" wide stack, plus many remote boxes now.

 

[bwringer]

I feel your pain, in a way; I detest and loathe house-related work. The imprecision and fragility of wood, drywall, pipe, etc. just pisses me off beyond belief.

I think you want something carry-able and/or roll-able, since you have to go the work more often and might need to go up or down stairs, across thresholds, or even get it into a truck or car.

I'd look at some sort of rolling stacking system, perhaps with several "layers" to it so you can swap in the stuff you need for whatever time-wasting project is at hand. For example, a big bin at the bottom for the power tools, a tray with lots of compartments for screws, a tray devoted to electrical tools and supplies, maybe a bin devoted to painting and finishing, one for furniture repair/woodworking, etc.

The "Hart" stacking system from Wally World, for example, is known to be good quality and relatively inexpensive. Every store has its own "take" on the idea, many made by the same manufacturer, so poke around and see what you find.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Cheap and tools should never be mentioned together here, lol.

 

[Jtels85]

For my DIY home tool set that I keep in the house, I have an old Craftsman 26” 4 drawer bottom chest that I can sit stuff on a store tools in. Cost me $150 new at Sears many years ago and does the job well.

 

[rancherbill]

I got old tool boxes etc and devoted one to each "trade". I had a plumbing box, a carpentry box, etc. You don't need your propane torch when doing carpentry. The bonus is when you go to do some plumbing ALL the tools you own are that box. I used to go crazy looking for stuff that was scattered all over the place.

I got them all used for cheap.

 

[bonneyman]

5 gallon bucket with a bucket jockey (Bucket Boss, Husky, Milwaukee, etc.) would work.

That's what I used for 20 years of HVAC service and repair.
After retiring I found that milk crates are about the best option for storing tools and supplies. Stackable, inexpensive, and individually mobile. If you separate the tools you've got well (i.e. plumbing, A/C, carpentry, electrical, etc.) - when you have a job to do - you just pull out the appropriate crate. I even got a trio of half-sized crates to hold stuff in my van.
I get mine here:

MILK CRATES - Plastic Crates For Sale | Buy Direct & SAVE ✅

Milk crates DIRECT from the factory ✅ From one milk crate to a full trailer ✅ HEAVY DUTY ✅ PERSONALIZED with your logo ✅ 100 000 in stock ✅

www.milkcratesdirect.com

 

[kbeefy]

An 18" clamshell toolbox will hold more than I want to carry. Like @rancherbill I have a few dedicated to specific jobs.

If I'm geting mechanical tools for a job outside the shop I'll usually start with a canvas tool bag. After the additional 20 trips back to the shop for more tools (@RTM ) I will usually use a 5g bucket or milk crate to clean up.

 

[driftpin]

Throw some masonite pieces into the milkcrates to keep the tools from poking thru or falling out. Use zip ties or baling wire to hold the side pieces in-place.

I also like the Craftsman 18" wide-mouth zippercanvas bags, w/tools by type of job. I also find useful, the smaller hand trucks that are convertible to horizontal or vertical. I can stack up several canvas bags, a dropcord, and whatever else I need.

Storage in the house or garage, I like the Gladiator no tools required shelving, they come in different lengths and depths. They are very strong, just put heavy stuff on the bottom. Their welded wire rack shelving surface, I cover with pieces of masonite to make it easier to load/unload things from the shelving.

The plastic bins with the two folding tops I like as they usually are more durable than the Rubbermaid totes. The cheapo Sterilite plastic bins, you're lucky to get two years out of them, and less if you use them for anything heavy.

 

[mikedodge]

I have a peg board behind my work bench with common tools.
I also have one of the work bench style tool chests from Home Depot and some used tool chests.

You're going to get all sorts of answers on this. Go with whatever works best for you.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

All my power tools came in a case or in their own bag, Dewalt and Makita, store them on shelves. Separate portable tool boxes for plumbing. Husky rolling tool bag, plastic bins, and refurbish wooden drawers for other home tools.

 

[Kenstone1]

I gave up on roll-around toolboxes at home a long time ago.
I see no need for lockable drawers at home because no-one else will looking for tools but ME and opening/closing drawers is a waste of my time.

Home repair tools, stored in the basement, are strictly for grab and go, so no need for a wheeled/lockable tool cabinet.
I would build a tool wall (in the basement) to store house repair tools, to grab what I think I'll need in a tool bag.
And some shallow shelves for the bigger stuff.
I don't have a basement and have built some shallow shelves out of fence boards and bulk/cheap shelf brackets off Amazon.
I also built shallow "cabinets" out of pallet lumber, free at local companies.

I have also built small roll-around tool carts with cheap HF furniture dollies as a base, again with tools hanging off
and a few shelves for other stuff.
Painted fence board shelves in my loading closet and HF magnetic strips for small hand tools:

Tool cart, HF dolly, scrap wood, used for motorcycle/bicycle work:
Something that is always changing...

As you can see, nothing looks finished or professional but is very practical and cheap...

.

 

[ultgar]

Its amazing how many tools and hardware items you accumulate over the years. I use a lot of storage cabinets and shelves and compartment boxes for smaller items. At age 70, I've started writing down where everything is. I have a lot of items I'm giving away if anyone is in the northern NJ area (stuff I don't see I'll ever use again and hate to throw in the trash).

 

[619DioFan]

File cabinets might be a good option for your tool storage , check CL in your area bet you find some for free. Put em in a row , paint the red and slap a snap-on sticker on your new free wall of drawers.

 

[ecotec]

I would work towards getting a little corner (if possible… by a electrical outlet) of a basement mechanical room or laundry room for a workbench, a 26-29” stack, and a shelving unit for bins. You also want to work towards having a bin for each trade of work in your home (painting, drywall, electrical, plumbing, light bulbs, floor cleaning…).

I started with a bottom roller cabinet that I picked out of the trash and a ding and dent section top box from Sears.

Maybe you can look through some Estatesales.net pictures of the close sales to your home and see if you can find any decent looking stacks.

Depending on your financial situation, you can also watch the curbs on garbage collection day for a shelving unit that someone is throwing away. Put paint and the heaviest construction materials on the bottom shelf to make it most stable. Put the bins of electrical, plumbing… at waist high. Put the lightest material at the top.

Look for metal drawers at garage/estate sales. As you find them put them next to your bins of construction materials and as you get material (wire nuts and such for the electrical one, and plumbing fittings, Teflon tape… for the plumbing one, drywall screws, framing nail, 1/4” anchors… for the carpentry one).

Just keep making the little corner easier to use and more and more organized. Add a light…

I am realistic. You need time for garage/estate sales. Not everyone has the time. I found this 29” stack for $100.

I also put in a picture of the kind of metal drawers that are great for hardware.

 

[richfinn]

If your working around the home I would recommend a well organised vertical storage tool bag so your not constantly running up and down stairs for stuff you forgot to get out of a roll cab

Maybe one for regular tools, one for plumbing tools and another for electricians tools.

I scoured YouTube for ideas and ended up watching lots of plumbers/HVAC and sparky videos before I settled on a couple of Veto pro-pac bags.

You could probably get away with the "Toughbuilt" brand if you don't want to spend Veto money.

The Veto's cost a fair bit, but when you try one you will immediately understand why, tough waterproof base, and strong lined pockets to organise and hang a lot of stuff.

I love my OT-MC, and I might get the larger OT-LC next, it's so much nicer having everything accessible and easy to grab than searching through a regular bag or tote.

 

[gahrajmahal]

File cabinets might be a good option for your tool storage , check CL in your area bet you find some for free. Put em in a row , paint the red and slap a snap-on sticker on your new free wall of drawers.

Put your free file cabinets on a dolly so you can roll it from spot to spot. I have two, two drawer units that sit side by side and use the top for a work surface.

 

[IndyGarage]

Stanley makes some rollaboard style toolboxes. The cheapest one used to be about $30 - I used it for awhile for home jobs. Easy to move to the repair site. At one point I upgraded to the Fatmax box, which is bigger, sturdier and costs more like $100 - but is just enough bigger that it's not as convenient. I think they also made a DeWalt version.

Obviously the Milwaukee Packout stuff is somewhat reasonable and nice.

Just do an Amazon search on rolling toolbox.

Although I have my Fatmax rolling toolbox. I often use my tool kit in my Veto Pro Pak and don't need the bigger set.

 

[F-22]

"Euro containers" stack up really well and are generally quite strong and affordable (about 20€/box for new ones). Ikea boxes can be a lot cheaper but don't stack.

 

[ForrestT]

I went to tool bags for each trade. One is just general maintenance and I keep it in the house. If I need more, I go out to my shop and use a tool bag or 5 gallon bucket to bring in. Edit: I get most of my tool bags at flea markets for $10 or less and make sure to find them in good shape.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Thanks, all!

I sincerely appreciate all the great ideas and time it took to write them all up here. Lots of food for thought. Lots to process. I asked a silly question and got a lot of good answers!

I'm hesitant to go with bags and buckets as "primary" storage, as I'm 6'3" and scrunching down was killing by back (I need to get a basement creeper seat!). That said, I like the idea of having them to haul tools to and fro in the house. Organizing tools based on category makes sense, too.

This basement here is one big room under the whole house, which is just a single story. All the electrics/plumbing/HVAC are accessible in the ceiling. Something with wheels makes sense, as it provides a bit of a work surface.

I'm going to have to get some of the tool bags suggested for salvage yard runs. I usually have a set of Tekton tools in the ol' wagon ready to go, should something relevant pop up at the Pick-n-Pull.

Cheap and tools should never be mentioned together here, lol.

I can be a pretty big tool snob when it comes to doing the things I like to do! Though, I was pretty surprised at what I got away with using the super cheap tools. I did buy some nicer stuff for where I thought it would count. The Malco Turbo-Shears are phenomenal!

-Ryan

 

[ecotec]

Thanks, all!

I sincerely appreciate all the great ideas and time it took to write them all up here. Lots of food for thought. Lots to process. I asked a silly question and got a lot of good answers!

I'm hesitant to go with bags and buckets as "primary" storage, as I'm 6'3" and scrunching down was killing by back (I need to get a basement creeper seat!). That said, I like the idea of having them to haul tools to and fro in the house. Organizing tools based on category makes sense, too.

This basement here is one big room under the whole house, which is just a single story. All the electrics/plumbing/HVAC are accessible in the ceiling. Something with wheels makes sense, as it provides a bit of a work surface.

I'm going to have to get some of the tool bags suggested for salvage yard runs. I usually have a set of Tekton tools in the ol' wagon ready to go, should something relevant pop up at the Pick-n-Pull.



I can be a pretty big tool snob when it comes to doing the things I like to do! Though, I was pretty surprised at what I got away with using the super cheap tools. I did buy some nicer stuff for where I thought it would count. The Malco Turbo-Shears are phenomenal!

-Ryan

Malco makes terrific products. Once I found their tin snips I got rid of my Wiss and Midwests.

 

[KnurledNut]

@VolvoRyan
How about another Volvo to store them in?

 

[Ricky Joe]

Cheap and tools should never be mentioned together here, lol.

Are you kidding? This site thrives on people bragging how cheaply they got their tools!

 

[ForrestT]

Ryan, as I thought about your dilemma, one thing maybe to consider is the us general single drawer cart for your basement. It gives you a place to store a couple bags. 1 drawer to use and then the top tray to work out of or put a board on it for a top work surface.

 

[bonneyman]

And don't forget ammo cases for screwdriver bits, drill bits, and nutrunners. They're inexpensive, snap lid, have many sizes and capacities for hunters, and several colors so you could theoretically have a system to distinguish bits in a hurry.

I use these.

Ammo Boxes

Ammo boxes by MTM Case-gard.

mtmcase-gard.com

 

[nicks78camaro]

5 drawer HF cart. Plenty of space in the drawers, plus an open space up top under the lid and at the bottom for big stuff

 

[Renegade1LI]

Are you kidding? This site thrives on people bragging how cheaply they got their tools!

Agreed, cheap cost but cheap quality.

 

[pbon]

Can one still find plastic milk crates? Lined milk crates on a dolly are cheaper than a brand name pack out system. I remember finding double wide milk crates.

I had an 83 242T Intercooler, 89 745T, 87 745T, and 91 945T. Switched to BMWs about 20 years ago.

 

[CoogarXR]

If you're gonna hang out here, you better get something that's expandable, lol.

What I did, in the beginning (before I met GarageJournal), I just bought a small (two piece, top and bottom) Stanley rolling toolbox at Walmart. Seems like it was about $70, if I recall. Then over the years, I upgraded the bottom to a Craftsman 26", then added a middle 26" cabinet, then another whole 3-piece 26" stack next to it, lol.

Anyway, what I would suggest is getting a small roller cabinet to start with. The used market is pretty strong if you are looking to save a little money. You can expand it modularly as you go.

Then keep your empty tool bag for when you have to go mobile. Grab tools for the jobs out of the roller that are specific to the job you are headed to.

 

[housewolf]

I assume you mean hand tools and not power tools. The buckets work pretty good when it’s a single trade/discipline set of tools. They can get pretty messy with carpenter, plumbing, electrical etc… tools all mixed together. I use a tool bag, I believe it was a Lennox promotional “gift”, with a few small Klein zip up tool bags to keep some small trade specific tools segregated. Larger tools, hammer, hacksaw, square, etc fit in the bottom. Admittedly I do have an old craftsmen 26” cabinet I store less common tools in but for the most part I can grab this bag and handle routine tasks. Or load/unload it from the cab but after a year or two it pretty much ends up loaded.

The little leather bag holds my plumbing tools. I’m a plumber so I splurged on leather . Inside it I have a striker, tubing cutters, 4-way screwdriver. pencil reamer, tub wrench, torpedo level, crescent wrench, channel locks, etc… Yesterday I grabbed the little bag only and torch/solder/flux and fixed copper freeze breaks for a neighbor.

It’s a really economical “system“ and works great for me.

 

[rd65]

I use old school lockers for my larger power tools. The lockers are the half tall type, I put shelves as needed. Saws in 1, air nailers in another type of thing. They are smaller than file cabinets so it seems there is less wasted space.

 

[VolvoRyan]

How about another Volvo to store them in?

LOL. Storing Volvos is another problem. We actually picked this house to support that "issue". Small house, big detached garage/shop. Also, a good yard for the dogs!

Are you kidding? This site thrives on people bragging how cheaply they got their tools!

You win some and you lose some with cheap tools. I'm surprised how good some of these cheap tools are.... and learning what tools are penny-wise, but a pound foolish. Going forward, I'll be up the game a bit on those.

I had an 83 242T Intercooler, 89 745T, 87 745T, and 91 945T. Switched to BMWs about 20 years ago.

Nice! Was your '83 one of the infamous "flat hoods" that Volvo sold so they could go racing in the ETCC? We've got a couple "newer" Volvos (first gen XC90 and XC60) to run in the winter to spare the older cars from road salt, but the passion has always been the 1975-95 RWD's. Back in Ohio, I used to do some work for hire on the side. My "nice" RWD's are a 1989 245 and 1995 945T...and we've got a '91 745 and the unkillable '87 245 that I use as a pickup truck.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd love to do older BMW's or MB's. I love that era of those brands... though, I don't love K-Jet. I hit the point of no return with RWD Volvos 15-20 years ago. Now there's parts cars, and the garage is stuffed with spares and special tools. Moving "the garage" 250 miles during the pandemic was a nightmare! That was 4-5 trips with U-Hauls and car transporters.

If you're gonna hang out here, you better get something that's expandable, lol.

That's where I am with the garage. GJ can be dangerous.

I assume you mean hand tools and not power tools.

Pretty much all are hand tools in the house. I think it's just the drill and impact driver. All the bulkier power tools and yard tools live in the garage.

-Ryan

 

[VolvoRyan]

The little leather bag holds my plumbing tools. I’m a plumber so I splurged on leather . Inside it I have a striker, tubing cutters, 4-way screwdriver. pencil reamer, tub wrench, torpedo level, crescent wrench, channel locks, etc… Yesterday I grabbed the little bag only and torch/solder/flux and fixed copper freeze breaks for a neighbor.

I like the little bags within bigger bags!

-Ryan

 

[pbon]

Nice! Was your '83 one of the infamous "flat hoods" that Volvo sold so they could go racing in the ETCC?

Yes, it was an 83 242 T flat hood. Honestly, the only thing special about them at least in the form they were sold in the US was that they were the first 240T with intercoolers. There were no special parts. Intercoolers became standard in 84, I think. I liked it and had it about 10 years. Modded it a bit but K-Jet has its limits as does fixed ignition timing — modern FI/Ignition can get 2x the power out of a 2.1L.

 

[SuitorsGarage]

I see Milwaukee Packout in your future.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Yes, it was an 83 242 T flat hood. Honestly, the only thing special about them at least in the form they were sold in the US was that they were the first 240T with intercoolers. There were no special parts. Intercoolers became standard in 84, I think. I liked it and had it about 10 years. Modded it a bit but K-Jet has its limits as does fixed ignition timing — modern FI/Ignition can get 2x the power out of a 2.1L.

Very cool! Yeah, they were the classic homologation scam so that Volvo could go racing. The rumor varies on the scope of the race car goodies that shipped with the cars in the trunk... and which went back to Sweden after the cars were signed off on by the powers that be. Indeed, intercoolers came standard around halfway through the 1984 model year, right before they put the kibosh on the 240T.

The later turbos with LH-Jet are easier to mod.... and I've tweaked my 945T.... but it's still a 1970's engine at the end of the day, so there's just one way that the power comes on. Modern EFI/ignition coupled with VVT definitely lets you have your cake and eat it too.

-Ryan

 

[lardy1]

Categorize and use appropriate sized plastic tool boxes or whatever works for you. Categorizing keeps me from hauling way more than I need or not taking everything because I tried to think of everything and grab it. In a year you'll have it down pat.

Congrats on the house.