Electrical/diagnostic tool storage ideas

[Ohmthis]

I’ve collected a ton of electrical (meters, leads, jumpers, label maker, zip tie tools, scan tools) tools and I’m needing more than one drawer in my tool box (KR 655). I’ve considered a tool cart (HF 4 or 5 drawer or similar) but I have a KRA 59 on a librarian cart to use for that. It is loaded down pretty good and my shop is small. Can I see your guy’s electrical/diagnostic tool storage? Maybe a reorganization plan is in order? I will take a picture when I get home of my set up and tools that I need stored.

 

[CGarage]

Separate portable tool box is where I keep mine.

Electrical work is separate from mechanical work and I wanted to get that stuff out of the tool cart….to make more room for hand tools.

 

[Ohmthis]

Separate portable tool box is where I keep mine.

Electrical work is separate from mechanical work and I wanted to get that stuff out of the tool cart….to make more room for hand tools.

I appreciate the reply…..I have enough electrical tools for probably 3 normal sized portable tool boxes. I’m an electrician and my trade tools are already separated. These are auto specific tools and I need/want them in the shop. Thanks for looking.

 

[CGarage]

I appreciate the reply…..I have enough electrical tools for probably 3 normal sized portable tool boxes. I’m an electrician and my trade tools are already separated. These are auto specific tools and I need/want them in the shop. Thanks for looking.

I keep my automotive electrical diagnostic tools in a separate, portable tool box.

I should have clarified.

 

[4x4Pete]

The old Snapon Rolla bench and chest that I use in the shop doesn't work well with bulky tools. I have a lateral filing cabinet for things I don't keep in the tool box. Things like drill bits, sandpaper and manuals (in file hangers), electrical meters, chargers and the odd things that just don't fit verywell in the tool box. It's nice to be able to keep certain things cleaner, the filing cabinet doesn't get opened nearly as much as the tool box, so it works for me.

 

[charbar]

I'm always reorganizing that type of stuff it seems like. Right now I have a 46x24 Husky tool chest that I took the casters off and shoved under part of my bench that holds scanners, J boxes, laptop, tuners, fuses, wire/battery terminals, amp clamp, 'specialty' test leads, fuse holders, relays etc. Then along side my main tool boxes I have a 30x16 Harbor Freight 4 draw+flip up top tool cart that holds wire crimpers/strippers, meters, test lights, general test leads, tape, soldering iron, mini torches....kind of the 'hand tool' electrical stuff that gets used pretty frequently.

I like lots of shallow drawers for this type of stuff generally. Usually dont need real deep drawers for electrical stuff and multiple drawers help keep things organized instead of a big mess of things piled on top of each other.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I have separated electrical repair, from electrical diagnostic tools. Things like kitchen drawer and desk drawer organizers work nice as small cubbies to hold probes, leads, test lamps, etc

 

[richfinn]

It sounds like your thinking about a dedicated "diag cart"?

Couple of links to give you some inspiration (sorry in advance for making you want to buy more stuff )

The Autonerdz Community Forums - Pico Setups

Join the Autonerdz Forums for expert advice, discussions, and tips on PicoScope diagnostics, PicoScope training, automotive technology, and more. Connect with fellow enthusiasts and professionals today!

www.autonerdz.com

https://m.facebook.com/groups/2423172124493804/

I'm personally a fan of Veto Pro-Pac Bags and pouches (I work from a van) you can pack in a lot of stuff and be organized in a very small footprint.

 

[AJHD]

It sounds like your thinking about a dedicated "diag cart"?

Plenty of good YouTube videos if you go the diag cart route.

 

[Ohmthis]

Plenty of good YouTube videos if you go the diag cart route.

Thanks I’ll have to check some out……if I have room.

It sounds like your thinking about a dedicated "diag cart"?

Couple of links to give you some inspiration (sorry in advance for making you want to buy more stuff )

The Autonerdz Community Forums - Pico Setups

Join the Autonerdz Forums for expert advice, discussions, and tips on PicoScope diagnostics, PicoScope training, automotive technology, and more. Connect with fellow enthusiasts and professionals today!

www.autonerdz.com

https://m.facebook.com/groups/2423172124493804/

I'm personally a fan of Veto Pro-Pac Bags and pouches (I work from a van) you can pack in a lot of stuff and be organized in a very small footprint.

I’m not sure I have room for a dedicated roller box, but I think I like that idea.

 

[Ohmthis]

Here is the drawer with my meter(s), leads, shrink tube, small scan tool and such. Here are also a selection of hand tools I’d likely use as well as some screwdrivers. And lastly, my new scan tool, labeler, and jump pack. This is what I need to organize. I can reappropriate this “cart” as my electrical/diagnostic cart. It has a few ratchets 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2”. The usual pliers, wrenches, hammer, oil change tools, screwdrivers, picks, markers and some both types of tap and die sets.

 

[bcradio]

Where's your heat gun for your shrink tube stored?

Nevermind, I see it in the drawer.

Nice setup there

 

[kbeefy]

I started with a tackle box, and graduated into a 4 drawer cart, then into a HF 42" rolling cart. Now I've overflowed into 2 42" HF boxes.
I should probably throw away alot of stuff.

I'll try to get a couple current pics tommorow if I remember.

 

[willy3486]

I work on electronics and for my jumper leads I made a wire holder similar to the Pamona wire holders. I did a quick search and found one on amazon at a decent price. I have it mounted on the side of the cabinet on my workbench.

Pamona test lead holder

 

[WildBill]

I work on electronics and for my jumper leads I made a wire holder similar to the Pamona wire holders. I did a quick search and found one on amazon at a decent price. I have it mounted on the side of the cabinet on my workbench.

Pamona test lead holder

I love these and use them at work and home. Just buy twice as many as you think you need, they fill up fast. I have one for just power cords at home, I work on a lot of electronics and have a couple of each style power cord. And another just for various test leads and jumpers.

 

[richfinn]

Here is the drawer with my meter(s), leads, shrink tube, small scan tool and such. Here are also a selection of hand tools I’d likely use as well as some screwdrivers. And lastly, my new scan tool, labeler, and jump pack. This is what I need to organize. I can reappropriate this “cart” as my electrical/diagnostic cart. It has a few ratchets 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2”. The usual pliers, wrenches, hammer, oil change tools, screwdrivers, picks, markers and some both types of tap and die sets.

One thing I have learned with my foray into "first order Retrievabilty" is that separating tools strictly by category isn't necessarily the best thing to do for me personally. (although it's a good starting point).

I think it works better to build kits of common tools/parts/equipment that live together so you can just grab it without having to go to multiple locations in your work area.

For example: If 'm doing a diag and need to remove an air box/ignition coils/spark plugs for access etc. I 100% want those "mechanical tools" with my diag tools, I find it better to have a mixture of basic hand tools and the most common diag tools all in one place (in my situation a tote bag). If I need to go more in depth I have other kits of equipment in small Peli style cases/organisers.

Adam Savage said something interesting about this like "it's a process not a project", which is true, you keep improving your set up as you figure out what works best for you.

I think your current set up looks like a great platform to start from

 

[Ohmthis]

Where's your heat gun for your shrink tube stored?

Nevermind, I see it in the drawer.

Nice setup there

I have a couple of spark testers, fuel pressure gauge, and compression gauge I guess needs to be part of the diagnostic tools. Man this is growing!

 

[Ohmthis]

One thing I have learned with my foray into "first order Retrievabilty" is that separating tools strictly by category isn't necessarily the best thing to do for me personally. (although it's a good starting point).

I think it works better to build kits of common tools/parts/equipment that live together so you can just grab it without having to go to multiple locations in your work area.

For example: If 'm doing a diag and need to remove an air box/ignition coils/spark plugs for access etc. I 100% want those "mechanical tools" with my diag tools, I find it better to have a mixture of basic hand tools and the most common diag tools all in one place (in my case a tote bag). If I need to go more in depth I have other kits of equipment in small Peli style cases/organisers.

Adam Savage said something interesting about this like "it's a process not a project", which is true, you keep improving your set up as you figure out what works best for you.

I think your current set up looks like a great platform to start from

After thinking about it more, that cart “reorganized” will make a great diagnostic center. The original idea was to have my most used tools mobile to move to the other bay or driveway. It has been moved exactly one time that I can think of. My shop, is 16 wide x 24 deep. It has my main box, son’s box, compressor, work bench, said cart, storage cabinet, oil drain, and a small parts cart along the walls, and the lift in the middle. I can only walk around the lift on one side. Space is at a premium. Its not in the cards right now for more storage (I do plan upper storage cabinets on both sides). Thanks for helping.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I have a couple of spark testers, fuel pressure gauge, and compression gauge I guess needs to be part of the diagnostic tools. Man this is growing!

Kind of.

You can still break down based on diagnostic testing, leading to a fuel pressure/quality test, and the tool required to do so. I think the simplest route is adding electrical testing together, scan tools, meters, test lamps, etc. Then using that data a user decides "okay we need to check compression".


For test leads I use the little velcro cord organizers lile what come on laptop charging cables. Winds them up quite nicely. Let's you pile them into a space without tangling becoming an issue.

 

[richfinn]

After thinking about it more, that cart “reorganized” will make a great diagnostic center. The original idea was to have my most used tools mobile to move to the other bay or driveway. It has been moved exactly one time that I can think of. My shop, is 16 wide x 24 deep. It has my main box, son’s box, compressor, work bench, said cart, storage cabinet, oil drain, and a small parts cart along the walls, and the lift in the middle. I can only walk around the lift on one side. Space is at a premium. Its not in the cards right now for more storage (I do plan upper storage cabinets on both sides). Thanks for helping.

The weird thing is that homebuilt "diag carts" are always cooler and better thought out than the expensive purpose built ones anyway, nobody is drilling holes and bolting accessories to a brand new Snap-On cart, it's a perfect situation to repurpose/personalize what you already have

 

[CGarage]

RÅSKOG utility cart, black, 133/4x173/4x303/4" - IKEA

RÅSKOG utility cart, black, 133/4x173/4x303/4" This utility cart fits in the smallest of spaces and can be moved to wherever you need it. Use it as extra storage for all your kitchen utensils, desk accessories or for gloves, keys and mobile phones.

www.ikea.com

These carts have so many uses…..

 

[AJHD]

One thing I have learned with my foray into "first order Retrievabilty" is that separating tools strictly by category isn't necessarily the best thing to do for me personally. (although it's a good starting point).

I think it works better to build kits of common tools/parts/equipment that live together so you can just grab it without having to go to multiple locations in your work area.

For example: If 'm doing a diag and need to remove an air box/ignition coils/spark plugs for access etc. I 100% want those "mechanical tools" with my diag tools, I find it better to have a mixture of basic hand tools and the most common diag tools all in one place (in my situation a tote bag). If I need to go more in depth I have other kits of equipment in small Peli style cases/organisers.

Adam Savage said something interesting about this like "it's a process not a project", which is true, you keep improving your set up as you figure out what works best for you.

I think your current set up looks like a great platform to start from

Agreed. That or have them in separate bags/totes, but grab both of them. One bag has the hand tools, the other has diag tools. Separate and organized, but still everything you need it together and accessible. Or at least that's the route I'm taking.

Grab whatever bag or bags from inside my apartment based on whatever work I plan on doing outside, or loading up the car on those rare occasions I'm helping someone and I have to drive to them.

 

[kbeefy]

Electrical and Diagnostic 'area'



The shelf of organizers to the right of the wire has consumables in it..













I need better zip tie and heat shrink organization....



Also better cord management...

 

[Ohmthis]

Electrical and Diagnostic 'area'



The shelf of organizers to the right of the wire has consumables in it..













I need better zip tie and heat shrink organization....



Also better cord management...

I wish I had room for just one of those boxes! Nice setup you have.

 

[jsaw]

We setup this box at work. We keep scan tools and electronic diagnostic tools in it

 

[kbeefy]

I wish I had room for just one of those boxes! Nice setup you have.

It's my 'wall o boxes'

 

[Ohmthis]

Well, epic fail trying to move into the small red box. The bottom drawer is the biggest and none of the larger tools (Heat gun, fluke 87, fluke, clamp meter, or my small scan tool) fit there. I do have a combo exactly like Jsaw posted. I’ll have to move things around to see where it will fit. Thanks all for replying.

 

[Ohmthis]

It's my 'wall o boxes'

Very cool setup! I wish I had that kinda room.

 

[Ohmthis]

We setup this box at work. We keep scan tools and electronic diagnostic tools in it

I have that exact bottom box with a top. I might be able to move things around and squeeze it in. I have a KR660 (50” wide) at my dads that I don’t have room for.