General Toolbox Layout?

[BQuicksilver]

If this has been asked, just link me to it...

Well, after moving out of the apartment I can now move my tools out of 6 plastic boxes and into an upright box (the Costco one). My question is what a good layout is for most general work. I do both home DIY and automotive work at home. I understand boxes and owner needs differ, but some initial direction (what on top, what on bottom) would save me a lot of time. Thanks in advance!

 

[wilbilt]

I always liked most-often used tools at easy reach.

When working, I used a bottom box as a rollaround workbench (no top box).
I had wrenches in the top drawers, but was often frustrated that I had to put the sockets lower down in a deeper drawer (due to deep sockets stored vertically to save space).

If using a top box, sockets generally go in the top, space permitting, with wrenches in the drawers below that.

It always takes awhile to perfect the organization when filling a new box. You may end up rearranging it a few times before you are satisfied with the layout.

 

[wythors]

This is my box:

Most of my regular use stuff is in the middle area. Sockets are in the full width drawer in the top box. Ratchets and extensions are in the full width drawer in the bottom box. Then in the wide drawers in the bottom I have SAE wrenches, then metric in the next, screw drivers below that, then prying and poking things, air tools and then hammers. Other things, not used as frequently, are scattered about the rest of the box.

 

[Rickster]

I like to think mine are sorted in high to low use order from the center out. I have a Kennedy lower box as my main tool box and they have a modular drawer set-up that allows me to move drawers around. I have a deep top drawer for sockets followed by one for ratchets & extensions. Below those are the wrenches; combinations, then boxed ends, a metric drawer, open ends, then specialty wrenches. Then it's hammers and air guns in the bottom two bins.

The middle box has pliers in the bottom drawer with screwdrivers in the three above it. The top box has speciality pliers in it's bottom drawer, followed upwards by 1/4 inch drive sockets and accessories. Then some specialty stuff and finally some oddball stuff in the top.

 

[JohnZ]

At my main bench, I have SAE tools on the left side, metric on the right side, with sockets on top and wrenches in the next drawer down, with other tools used less frequently down lower. The rollaway on the left has screwdrivers in the top, pliers next down, then special tools, tune-up tools, measuring devices, then special engine tools. I use a rolling project center box at my lift location with an assortment of commonly-used tools and tools for a specific job I may be doing to minimize walking back and forth to the main bench.

 

[TNToy]

I don't use an upper box (I like a big enough rollaway that everything fits in a lower unit, leaving the top as a work surface) so my stuff starts at hip height, which requires no bending over, and goes downward.

Top full-width drawer? What I use every time you work on a vehicle...
Sockets, sockets, sockets. Mine are all here.
Constant-use air tools. 1/4" ratchet, 1/2" and 3/8" impact, and 3/8" cordless impact.
Inflator/gauge for tires
19mm and 21mm torque sticks for all our vehicle's lug nuts.
Hex and torx bits, and pretty much al socket bits/drivers.
Everything too long for any other drawer... That 48" Prybar, 36" extensions, etc

2nd row, Left & right
Metric wrenches

3rd row, left bank
SAE wrenches

3rd row, right bank
All 15 ratchets (don't have nearly enough) and accompanying extensions, universals, adapters, etc)

4th row
Left bank: Screwdrivers, torx drivers, hex drivers...
Right bank: Prybars, punches, safety glasses and ear protectors

It goes down from there. You get the idea...

Try to group the rest of your items after the first or second drawer by type: Ratchet drawer, plier drawer, airtool drawer, etc.

Then you get down to jobs: A drawer for electrical stuff (multimeter, wire, crimp fittings & crimpers & strippers, etc)

Then down to bulk items: A drawer for less-used items that are large, and consequently all end up in that super-deep drawer... Electric power tools, large specialty tools in their plastic storage cases, etc.


Start with size of drawers vs. size of items. Most techs have all their sockets in the top drawer for 2 reasons: (1) Keeps you from bening over while grabbing them all day. (2) There's only a couple of drawers where you can stand up a deep 30mm socket. All the others are at the bottom. That's slow AND hard on your back.

 

[mikeyr]

1st. drawer, Witworth and BSF metric tools.
2nd. metric
3rd. screwdrives, pliers, etc.
4th. measuring tools (micrometers, calipers), torque wrenches, anything fragile
5th. SAE tools
6th. misc small tools, tap/dies, etc.
7th. some bigger tools like pullers, slide hammer
8th. big stuff like air impact, other air tools

Basically what I use the most on top and working my way down to what I use the least (SAE tools).

My tool box was custom built, the top 6 drawers are 2 1/4" deep, just right for sockets, wrenches, etc. the 7th is something like 4" and the 8th is 6" deep. Drawers are 48" wide so plenty of space with Stainless fronts, top is 7ft. wide 1/4" steel plate. (yeah, its HEAVY)
Here is it the day it was delivered, its never looks like that since.

 

[eschoendorff]

Okay... I'm gonna throw my .02 in here....


I have arranged and rearranged my tools in my various boxes. There is no one perfect setup. As soon as you start working with your stuff, you'll know what you use most often - keep that stuff close at hand (in the most accessible drawers). Trial and error will lead you to what really works for you.

That being said, keep the basics: sockets, ratchets, screwdrivers, wrenches... in the most easily accessible drawers for quick access.

 

[BQuicksilver]

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

I guess I should have taken a photo of my box, but it's all full width on the bottom with the top drawer being deep (sockets) and the bottom one very deep (lots of 18v dewalt stuff). I think the 2nd drawer will be wrenches and the third screwdrivers.

The top split part I'll just have to figure out.