Help with organizing a new tool chest

[Sasquatch912]

Finally got a new tool chest for my shop. It has been getting old with everything all piled in together.

Lowes has these on sale so I got one
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-43-...aring-Steel-Tool-Chest-Combo-Black/1000792508

I started putting in tools, but still am not satisfied with it.

I have so many of the same sockets and sometimes wrenches so I don't know what to do with the extras.

I have miscellaneous tools as well like picks, Allen wrenches (that I just thrown into the drawers), hammers, screwdrivers, punches, etc.

I need to buy some impact sockets and some may be big so I may put them in the lower drawers.

I was thinking about socket organizers, but then maybe foam is cheaper and more customizable?

Any suggestions? This gets pretty complicated or maybe that is just me.

 

[C lectric]

Don't try to sort it all out at once. Most of us adapt, readapt and readapt again. I've changed mine lots of times . Now it doesn't ,matter since it is at home. Were I still working it was growing to the point I would have needed another chest.

Some of the really infrequently used or too large tools get put elsewhere as not everything will fit in a tool chest without organizing trouble. Many of those are wall hung.

Lots of small stuff such as extra sockets, screwdrivers and so on are simply put into boxes, or better, bins so they are out of the way but available. Every once in a while they will become a sacrifice to some nasty job.

Yes to the socket organizers if yours are just loose. Same for wrench organizers. Screwdrivers can be packed quite neatly into a smaller drawer with each type together but the long shank and the short shanks laid opposite ways.

Just take your time and enjoy the improvement.

 

[Sasquatch912]

Don't try to sort it all out at once. Most of us adapt, readapt and readapt again. I've changed mine lots of times . Now it doesn't ,matter since it is at home. Were I still working it was growing to the point I would have needed another chest.

Some of the really infrequently used or too large tools get put elsewhere as not everything will fit in a tool chest without organizing trouble. Many of those are wall hung.

Lots of small stuff such as extra sockets, screwdrivers and so on are simply put into boxes, or better, bins so they are out of the way but available. Every once in a while they will become a sacrifice to some nasty job.

Yes to the socket organizers if yours are just loose. Same for wrench organizers. Screwdrivers can be packed quite neatly into a smaller drawer with each type together but the long shank and the short shanks laid opposite ways.

Just take your time and enjoy the improvement.

Thanks. I am glad I am not the only one...lol.


I may see if I can find some foam to make inserts.

I know I can eventually hang some wrenches on the wall if I have to.

 

[techieman33]

I like foam for ratchets and wrenches. I actually stack my wrenches in the foam. So I have one slot for say 1/2" wrenches and maybe 5 wrenches in the stack. So the ones I use the most end up on top of the stack. For sockets I like Hansen trays, but if you like to take them with you then one of the rail systems may work better for you. Extra of the same sizes can then live on rails or something else in another drawer if you don't have space in the main drawer. Pliers go in pliers racks, you can fit a lot of them in not much space that way. Different methods for different tools. And what works for me, may not work for you. If you go with foam then take your time with the layout. Try out different layouts in the drawer and maybe try them out for a bit. You could put some cardboard down and just trace the tools out as a trial. Also don't forget to leave yourself room for expansion. Foam is a one shot deal, and once you cut it out you can't really put it back.

 

[BTL-A4]

Yeah, don't try doing this all at once; you'll get overwhelmed.

I would suggest socket rails for socket organization. HF has them, Sears does too (if they still have one near you). They are both the same except for color; the plastic holders slide on both. I don't care for the metal ones HF has; they are too hard to get the socket off of and the metal edges are sharp.

I have wrench organizers as well. Various companies make them.

I organize by tool type: all my hex drive tools in one drawer, all my screwdrivers in another, cutters (of all types) in another, pliers in another, etc. You get the idea.

I would sort all the tools and see what duplicates you have. Keep the good ones. Occasionally you'll need to "sacrifice" a tool, so maybe keep a few screwdrivers and wrenches for that. I put my duplicates in my truck and in my garden house.