How do you keep your tools organized, when working from the floor

[Hammer1963]

I take a lot of pride in my tools and I have a huge amount of money invested in them, so I really don't like having them getting kicked around on the floor in a busy shop.

I used to lay them on a shop towel which works, but as a Body repair tech, I move around on the floor a lot when working on the lower part of a car especially doing rear body replacement or front end work and kept having to chase the tools around. I came up with a really simple and inexpensive solution.

I purchased a heavy 9" X 13" shallow baking pan and picked up four 1 1/4" swivel casters and mounted them to the pan with 10-32 screws and nuts. It keeps the tools off the floor, it's mobile and keeps tools and hardware from getting scattered about the shop and it's easy to pull the tools to the next repair area.

I'd like to hear what you guys do vs my solution. I am always looking for new and better ideas.

 

[Rogue1987]

I really like that idea! I might have to copy that. Think I might add a few magnets to hold **** in.


Thanks for the idea!

 

[wchamberlain]

Some manufacturers have a magnetic add on for creepers, basically a tray that hangs off the side.

 

[The Dutchman]

I don't have to creep under the vehicles too often, but when I do, I just find a suitably shaped cardboard box. Problem is, it always seems that someone's just recently hauled all the cardboard out to the dumpster.

Your device looks like a good idea. Blindly flailing your arms around under a one ton truck, desperately reaching for a wrench that may or may not be within arm's length just doesn't make it!

 

[afazz]

I really like that idea! I was just thinking about this today, as I was crawling around on the floor kicking my tools everywhere. I usually use my Craftsman rolling seat, but I like the idea of a tool-only tray on casters. You could even slide it under a toolbox when it's not in use.

I might add a power strip to the front since I use a lot of corded tools and lights when I'm working on the floor.

This is a common sight in my garage:

 

[GoodoleBoy]

Best way I found is to start with a clean off floor/clean work area and everytime i get off my back I toss the tools into a pile.

I like your idea..

 

[Wastedwagesracing]

I'd paint that some high visibility color for safety.

 

[smallcarguy]

This is such a great idea. I need to make one of those

 

[heffneil]

If it is no stick be careful before painting

 

[Grogan14]

Nice ingenuity! Like someone else mentioned, I'd think adding magnetism in there somehow might make it even better.

 

[diesel research]

No one heard of a tool bag/pouch? Cost about $7 and easily keeps things consolidated enough.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

i saw a cornwell 4 magnet tray with 4 little caster stuck to each of the magnets. that way it didn't always have to have wheels. only thing wrong with that is the cost of the tray.

 

[machine_punk]

I like it! Great idea...I think I'm going to have to steal that idea. I work on my rolling stool thingy (I don't know what you really call it) a lot.

 

[Rezarf]

I was going to suggest a cookie sheet when I first saw the thread. I have never thought of a set of casters. Not a bad idea if you has me. I may just have to try it. Throw on a magnetic dish and a cup holder and you'd be all set!

 

[rsanter]

I use a second creeper

bob

 

[Rickster]

I like that idea too! I'm going to build one. I'll pick a nice sized one up at a garage sale. I was thinking of adding a thin carpet piece or foam rubber piece to the center and gluing it down.

 

[dwm]

Wow, coincidence... I'm in the process of making a pair of rolling trays that I started last week. Mine are birch plywood with pine/poplar lip but basically the same idea. I'm covering the inner part with McMaster-Carr 6292T274 (gray raised-disc rubber floor tile), since I have the same on my detailing cart and air/electric cart. You could do the same if for some reason you wanted a softer surface. I'll mostly be using mine for the times I'm under the car on the creeper.

 

[RBailey]

This is what I do.

Stratigically placed bolts / hooks / strap for commonly used sockets, spanners and screwdrivers. A magnetic tray on the side for all those loose bits and anything else on the bottom.

 

[greasemonkey44]

nifty; ill make one for sure
maybe add a carry handle

 

[scott4]

I purchased a heavy 9" X 13" shallow baking pan and picked up four 1 1/4" swivel casters and mounted them to the pan with 10-32 screws and nuts. It keeps the tools off the floor, it's mobile and keeps tools and hardware from getting scattered about the shop and it's easy to pull the tools to the next repair area.

I really like that idea! I might have to copy that. Think I might add a few magnets to hold **** in.

I think this is genius.

 

[jayoldschool]

I use a lift out top tray from a plastic tool box.

 

[dwm]

For what it's worth, I suspect the first time you step on that pan, it'll be destroyed. I suppose you could just bend it back, but it'll succumb to fatigue if that happens more than a couple of times. I made mine out of birch plywood because I know I'm going to step on it at some point. I love the pan idea, built-in lip means no extra work for that part. But I'd be tempted to put a piece of 1/2" or thicker birch or oak plywood between the pan and the casters to help prevent it from collapsing when stepped on. Lowe's will sell you a 24"x24" piece and it's cheap.

I also really like deep muffin tins for fasteners and small parts I've removed from the car. I don't remember where I saw them used first (wasn't my idea), but they're cheap and work well for keeping fasteners and small parts organized. Magnets optional. My favorite is the Wilton 6 Cup King Size because it's 3" deep; deep enough to keep most automotive fasteners organized.

 

[slip knot]

Great idea. I'm gonna steal it!!! My wife got to complaining several yrs back about how flimsy her bakeware was. we went to a commercial restaurant supply store and bought some really heavy duty pans and sheets. these things will hold up to just about anything a garage could throw at it. Cost was somewhat reasonable too. May have to stop by there tommorow and pick me up a cake pan to modify. I think I need deeper sides for all my ****!

 

[jhelrey]

Great idea... Just like everyone mentioned, accidentally stepping on it would be my worry or flipping it over by dropping something on it.

 

[illmatyk]

I take a lot of pride in my tools and I have a huge amount of money invested in them, so I really don't like having them getting kicked around on the floor in a busy shop.

I used to lay them on a shop towel which works, but as a Body repair tech, I move around on the floor a lot when working on the lower part of a car especially doing rear body replacement or front end work and kept having to chase the tools around. I came up with a really simple and inexpensive solution.

I purchased a heavy 9" X 13" shallow baking pan and picked up four 1 1/4" swivel casters and mounted them to the pan with 10-32 screws and nuts. It keeps the tools off the floor, it's mobile and keeps tools and hardware from getting scattered about the shop and it's easy to pull the tools to the next repair area.

I'd like to hear what you guys do vs my solution. I am always looking for new and better ideas.

Very nice idea! I think that'll come in handy when laying underneath a vehicle. I'm going to make me a smaller version some day.

 

[wolflrv]

When I was tearing down my bike for restoration, it was almost all on the ground. I had a stack of plastic kitty litter pans that I used to put pulled parts in and I also had one that I kept all the tools I was using in. That and a small creeper stool and I could roll all around the bike. Worked great and just had to pick up two pans to clean up at end of day.

 

[bcjames]

I use a cat litter tray too. I only have a single garage, so while the the car is on there on stands, I have to refurb the subframes out on the drive. Wandering around the shops at the weekend, found big litter trays for a pound each, so grabbed too, one for tools, and one for parts as I strip them down.

Edit: It's not really organising, I still have to dig through it to find any sockets I've put in there but not on the rail, spanners etc. But at least I don't have to hunt all over the floor looking for anything that can roll

 

[slipjointed]

I use rubber coated anti-skid fiberglass trays from McMaster-Carr. The part number is 6863T31. There are a couple other sizes too (different part numbers).

 

[GTVi]

Absolutely fantastic idea...I'm making one of those for sure...I don't think the missus will let me have her baking trays, so I'm off to buy my own...lol

I might paint mine bright yellow, to make it visible and no-one steps on it, and a couple of locking wheels, to stop it from rolling away....thanks for the inspiration!

 

[chewy7]

thats a good idea i might have to make one now. I would maybe paint it because with my luck either I or someone else would step on it and go for a good ride weeeeeee! not lol

 

[chewy7]

i might have to get one with higher sides

 

[slipjointed]

i might have to get one with higher sides

Look at the rubber coated one i posted... the sides are twice the height of most cookie sheets.

 

[oldies]

Hi there, great ideas! Just want to add my 2 cents about safety as someone suggested stiffening the pan with a piece of ply wood. Just imagine you accidently step on the tray and it slided off your foot or feet landing your head on the floor or worst, a hammer or something sharp! So, I'm suggesting that you find a pan or something that is strong enough to support your tools but will claps under your weight if stepped on--we all come in different size and weight. Painting it yellow or orange is not a bad ideas either. I rather just use the tray without casters so be safe and keep on wrenching....

 

[Hammer1963]

I've taken the pans/trays for a ride more than once and I was really lucky not tear anything up when I did so. I have 3 of these pans and each is a little different from the other. I don't use magnets on these due to the metal shards from grinding panels and welds on cars. I think I'll take the advice & add some bright color paint to these so I don't take another ride on one of them.