Consumables organization...

[cburnscrx]

I am sure there are many pages on this, but I've not had the easiest time finding them. (feel free to post links).

I am trying to organize my consumables, specifically hex bits (screwdriver), drill bits that didn't come in a case, reciprocating blades, jigsaw blades, circular saw blades, and my miter saw/table saw blades, flashlights, utility knives, and misc. pieces parts. I really hate eating up too much space in my HF 44" for these things, and I don't feel it's an efficient use of space in my small 26" top box. I have too many actual tools to store in those types of boxes. I could be wrong though about the 26" I've thought about a mid box to put on a shelf for such things, but really don't want to spend that kind of cash to store consumables.

Let me know your thoughts and ideas...and I'll go from there.

Thanks!

 

[saturnman]

go with the mid box! you can never have too much space when it comes to tools....

 

[ChevyEFI]

Not that my organization is something to go by;

But, I know what you mean; consumables seem odd in a huge box drawer.

Got room for a wall-cabinet? I have the 3-door HF black one on the wall above the workbench at the deep end of the garage.

 

[JimmyTheMonkey]

I just put all of my consumables in my box in the same drawer as the tool. I have an entire lower box drawer dedicated to "things that go in my drill," i.e. drill bits, driver bits, hex bits, adapters, extensions, etc. Its amazing how much space they take up, especially in a case!

 

[jakemac]

For the stuff that will fit, what about plastic pencil boxes ? Label the end with a sharpie and stick them on a shelf.

 

[cburnscrx]

I just put all of my consumables in my box in the same drawer as the tool. I have an entire lower box drawer dedicated to "things that go in my drill," i.e. drill bits, driver bits, hex bits, adapters, extensions, etc. Its amazing how much space they take up, especially in a case!

Yea, I hear you...it's stunning how much space this stuff takes up!

I have all my power tools in a rolling cabinet. It would be darn near impossible to put anything other than the actual tools themselves in that cabinet. Truthfully, I need another cabinet!

I've thought about another cabinet (26") for just consumables, but that seems like more money than I want to spend. My next two purchases will be the Craftsman 299 pc ultimate socket set and the HF 44 top box.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

the us gen boxes are so cheap , buy several more

 

[cburnscrx]

the us gen boxes are so cheap , buy several more

cheap is a relative term

 

[Outlawmws]

For what you are describing generally, I'd shop the used market for a Kennedy 520, which is a 7 drawer tech/machinist top chest, 20" wide.

Another option is an 18 drawer "Card file" Which is a set of parts bin drawers usually 10-11 inches high, 34 or so wide adn either 17 or 12 deep.

For the larger "consumables" like saw blade, assuming these are circular saw blades, maybe an older (used) three drawer 26" roller. use the shallow drawer for the blades and other low profile stuff, and the deeper drawers for small hand held power tools like drills mini grinders, and the like.

The "garage" below the drawers can hold blow mold boxed tools, and the top can carry some bench mount power fool, maybe a chop saw, a grinder, or the like. (I have one 26" roller setup like that as a "welding bench" with a 1/2" thick plate top a small (grounded) vise, and a smaller grinder.

I have another that carries a bench mount band saw...

 

[richfinn]

I like raaco plastic organiser boxes with movable divides, you can more or less custom design them for what you want. I use mine sorted into various cases for.

Taps/dies/drills and other related thread tools (like my pitch gauge)

Electrical connectors/terminal tools/crimpers/wire strippers

Soldering tools and supplies like heat shrink tube

Metric fasteners and hardware

Engine sensors/electrical plugs

All manner of automotive fuses/circuit breakers

Automotive bulbs

My 3/4 drive socket set (I rarely use it but it keeps them together even though this is too heavy to carry around it makes a decent organiser).

I keep all mine on shelves in my van, but they would work well in a toolbox if you really pack them full and keep them tidy, I like them cos I know I can grab one and its got the related tools and parts together and it saves me running back to the van. You can ditch your blow moulded cases and save loads of space too.