how do you hang your hand tools?

[little rico]

Hi guys,
I'm new on here, so humour me on this one.
I built my garage 20 odd years ago, and over those years cars have come and gone, tastes changed, and some of the garage re-arranged.
The only two things that have stayed the same is the 5 1/2 yard long bench, and my tool cupboard, which is basically a built in situ wooden cupboard with nails hammered in and my wrenches hung up, along with screwdrivers et al.
Mow is the time to refurb and update my tool cupboard.
I've had a scoot around here, but can't found a thread on tool hanging. Is the general preferred way to have roll cabinets? I don't really have space for one......

Any help guys?

Thanks

Tim

 

[crewchief888]

i dont have any hand tools hanging in the garage, but i have a few things on pegboard in the basement workshop.

if it wasnt already there when i bought the house, i wouldnt have used pegboard.
i'm antipegboard

the woodworking bench, left behind by the previous owners, has several drawers, that hold the few DIY hand tools i need in the house., anything too big to fit on the drawers,

hammers, hand saws, misc plumbing tools, carpenters square, ect.

 

[Exceller8]

I personally like pegboard as it can hold a ton of weight (and tools!).

 

[zkling]

Over the years I have slowly transitioned from peg board to tool boxes. Mostly because my old boxes were so cheap that putting more than 2 hammers per drawer was really pushing it. Now that I have upgraded to some better boxes I keep most everything in drawers. I like drawers, big drawers, small drawer, deep drawers, shallow drawers. My shop is in the home garage so I really don't have to worry about theft. Most pro mechanics do have to worry about theft sadly, so peg board is out right off the bat for them.

When I had pegboard i kept things like tin snips, hammers, scrapers saws. Things that were heavy or bulky for drawers. Common mechanics hand tools were always in drawer. I know they make screwdriver holder for pegboard, but I personally found them to be a PITA. YMMY though. In the end I found quality drawers to be more efficient in keeping tools organized, clean and safe in the smallest foot print possible. I have seen some very impressive peg boards. Just not for me anymore.

 

[Steven67fr]

Yeah, I go pegboard for the odd shaped items... tin snips, hack saws, bold cutters, rolls of tape... Smaller items go in the tool box drawers - there are lots of neat organizers for wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, etc. that go in the tool box drawers (or drawers on a table, or drawers anywhere.

 

[taumac]

I like pegboard and it has its place. I prefer tools and stuff in boxes. I genernal use it for hanging glasses and tools when working but I put tools away at end of job. I think promblem with pegboard is One, it a cluttterd look and Two, alot of wasted space.

 

[Alchymist]

I hang mine by their feet. I tried hanging some by the neck, but they all died.

 

[jsaw]

I hang them lots of different ways. They are hanging on tool carts, but you could do the same thing by hanging them over a bench. I have air tool holders that I bought, and one that I made out of a scrap piece of sheet metal.. I have a magnetic wrench rack that I bought, magnetic bars that I bought, on one cart, I screwed L hooks into a board to hang wrenches. Eye screws work to hold some tool. I made a hammer rack out of a piece of scrap aluminum. I don't have pictures of it, have made wooden racks to hold screwdrivers. You are only limited by your imagination.

 

[mtnwalton]

Haven't used pegboards in many years and really don't miss it. Everything goes in drawers or tall two door steel cabinets. Seems like I never have enough wall space if I did want to hang stuff up.

 

[ZRX61]

Can't stand pegboard, the only good thing about it (if you happen to be a criminal) is it makes it easy for thieves so pick what they want.

 

[little rico]

Thanks for the replies.
Interesting thoughts about pegboard, and I'm not a fan either.
I like my tools hanging because its not bench space or piece of floor not being used by a roll cab.
Also, I like to see all my tools hanging and its easier to see anything that's missing.
I'm looking for hanging inspiration. I'll post some pix of my 'tool hanging cupboard later

Tim

 

[G_P]

I keep extras of common wrenches and some adjustables hung off a shelf near my bench.
I used 1/4" aluminum rod. Drill a hole in the shelf at an angle (so the wrenches don't rattle off when pounding on the bench) and tap the rod in place. I use a file to smooth the end of the rod so its slightly tapered. Makes sliding the smaller wrenches on easier.

Sent via carrier pigeon

 

[gorilla]

I hate pegboards, they just display all your tools so your neighbors can ask to borrow them. But if you installed pegboard in your cupboards you would have a never ending selection of hangers to chose from and they would be hidden behind doors.

 

[little rico]

Here`s what I've got, although looking around this site, its making me feel quite inadequate!
I really need to buy more tools!!

 

[Jack Olsen]

To me, it depends on the job. If it's working on the car, I bring a bunch of tools over -- doesn't really matter that they start out in drawers, since I pretty much know what I'm going to need. But there are a lot of little one-off things, little projects, battery changes, quick fixes, where it's nice to have stuff out and visible and not have to go through the trouble of opening and closing a drawer. So some tools go on pegboard as part of a work area.

To me, hammers are always a pain in the neck in a drawer. And if the right size isn't handy, I know I'll just use the one that's in my hand. But if the better-sized one is right there in front of me, I'll use it.

Sometimes you can get away with clustering the type of tools that you only want for a specific type of work, like clamps for welding.

 

[firecracker]

Nice idea Jack what do you keep in the drawers ????

 

[VWPORSCHEGT3]

Can't stand pegboard, the only good thing about it (if you happen to be a criminal) is it makes it easy for thieves so pick what they want.

ha ha,sounds like a typical statement from someone living in Land-scatter, i mean Lancaster..... (cue up Elvis Presley's In the Ghetto)

gosh i miss the Palmdale/Lancaster rivalry thing lol

 

[little rico]

They look great set ups.
I like my hanging cupboard, I think the main problem I have is that my tools hang directly behind my vice, so all the grindings and weld spatter is in the same area as my tools.
I wish us poor guys in the UK had the choice of tool storage equipment as you lucky guys in the US........

Tim

 

[Conductor562]

I personally like pegboard as it can hold a ton of weight (and tools!).

In my previous shop all my wrenches, pliers, and screwdrivers were on a peg board. While we were house shopping we ended up at my parents house and i had to cram everything into my box. When I'd pull it out in the summer I'd notice some condensation from the temperature change when I pulled out of the box. This inevitably led to rust issues that I never had when they were on a peg board at a more consistent temperature.

 

[wintermute]

Jack, are those pegboard "cabinets" hinged to close? I'm planning a larger version that I can close and lock for my garage. The clamp storage is awesome behind that built-in table.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Nice idea Jack what do you keep in the drawers ????

More tools.

Jack, are those pegboard "cabinets" hinged to close? I'm planning a larger version that I can close and lock for my garage. The clamp storage is awesome behind that built-in table.

They are. But in practice, I've found I just leave them open. The one above the bench with the seat is now permanently opened and fastened to the wall behind it.

Here's a very old picture that shows the hammer cabinet closed.

 

[little rico]

Now that is one cool tool chest
I can`t find anything here in the UK that deep.
The usual suspects seem to be @ 12" deep
What make is it?

Tim

 

[Zeke]

If it's too long or tall, it goes on the wall.

 

[e-tek]

I hang them lots of different ways. They are hanging on tool carts, but you could do the same thing by hanging them over a bench. I have air tool holders that I bought, and one that I made out of a scrap piece of sheet metal.. I have a magnetic wrench rack that I bought, magnetic bars that I bought, on one cart, I screwed L hooks into a board to hang wrenches. Eye screws work to hold some tool. I made a hammer rack out of a piece of scrap aluminum. I don't have pictures of it, have made wooden racks to hold screwdrivers. You are only limited by your imagination.

That is awesome! Very well thought out - or maybe not, but it ended up having everything you need, in something easier to move than a roll chest, and open enough to see everything. I have a roller cart like that and it's been a catch--all, with magnetic trays that fall off and no intended use. I'd like to make something for all my body tools and equipment, kinda like Don Long has, but this is the right size for my shop.

 

[KEH]

Built a hanging wall cabinet out of plywood years ago, have nails and magnetic strips on it.
The magnetic strips don't work too well. Fastened a 2 inch board to part of the cabinet and put nails in vertically to set sockets on. I like having everything visible. This was done years ago when money was tight. I have since added some toolboxes.

KEH

 

[Jack Olsen]

Now that is one cool tool chest
I can`t find anything here in the UK that deep.
The usual suspects seem to be @ 12" deep
What make is it?

Tim

If you're talking about my tool box, it's a Lista cabinet (technically, it's two of them, both broken, that I cut up and welded together). It's 30" deep, hard to find second-hand, and truly awesome for tool storage, so long as you don't need to move it around.

 

[jsaw]

That is awesome! Very well thought out - or maybe not, but it ended up having everything you need, in something easier to move than a roll chest, and open enough to see everything. I have a roller cart like that and it's been a catch--all, with magnetic trays that fall off and no intended use. I'd like to make something for all my body tools and equipment, kinda like Don Long has, but this is the right size for my shop.

Thanks, There are also 2 drawers on the cart with pliers and misc. tools. The cart is just the right size for My needs. I keep all of My high use tools on it.

 

[fourjeepin]

I wonder how many people look at the pics Jack is kind enough to share with us on the GJ and say to themselves "I hate you Jack Olsen".

 

[lilredex]

Here is how I manage some of the clutter..


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image upload no size limit

 

[~smokey~]

I like to see everything I have for a few reasons, sometimes when your thinking of which tool to use it helps when you can see all the choices hanging on your wall, you also know when a tool is missing, my tinker shop is only 16' x 18' and pretty much every square inch is tools

 

[imgoin]

I like to hang my combination wrenches.
Quicker access.
SAE on top and metric on bottom.

 

[Earlsfat]

I wonder how many people look at the pics Jack is kind enough to share with us on the GJ and say to themselves "I hate you Jack Olsen".

In deed. Jack Olsen = *********. Very inspiring stuff.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Looks good, smokey!

 

[bullfrog123]

Mix and match nails, pegboard, etc. The drill bit cabinet was one of my smarter items I built.

 

[Tamper84]

Smokey, I would like to thank you for those pictures. That reminds me so much of my great grandpas basement. All of his tools where on pegboard. I used to love and go and look at what he had. But I knew I wasnt allowed to touch lol

Thank you for the trip down memory lane.

Chris

 

[~smokey~]

Thanks Jeff and your welcome Chris I'm glad you enjoyed the trip

 

[jsaw]

here are a few of My crude hangers

 

[shooting4life]

The only tools I have hanging are some hammers to free up a drawer, they are on the end of my bench and out of the way. They are held up by the magnet bars they sell at HF.

 

[Matt The Hammer]

I don't have the time to either hang everything up like that or even look that far around to get it.

Mine are in drawers, roughly organized. Box wrenches in one drawer - metric on left, english on right - smallest wrenches in front, large in the back.

Goofy things like glasses, clamps and things still in packages are hanging up.