How do you keep your tools organized?

[jgira12]

I **** at it. I have stuff in the basement, in the garage, and out in the backyard shed...all kinds of duplicates here and there. And I still have to run all over the place to get this and that...drives me nuts, and it takes me 3 times as long as anyone else to do a job. I think I need 3 socket sets, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc; all color-coded for a different location. That way if I take one to a different part of the house, I know where it should go, and eventually I will return it...this should cut down on all the wasted time when doing a project. Screw the cost. What do you guys do?

 

[GSSFC]

I take a tool out, I put it back when I am done. Only way to know where it is when I need it. I also have a portable toolbox that I load up when I need to do a repair outside of the shop. That way I am not carrying arm loads of tools and it gives me a place to put them down instead of the dirt.

Tim

 

[dwilliams35]

I just do a tool version of saturation bombing: have twenty of everything, you can always go back to the tool box and get another one. Every so often I do a big clean sweep of the shop and put everything back in the tool boxes and start the whole process over again.

 

[boiler7904]

I keep individual kits for different types of home repair / projects with tool overlap as required. If I know I'm doing a specific type of project, I grab that kit along with any other common tools that aren't project specific like a drill.

One kit for painting / minor drywall repair is in a rubbermaid tub. 4'-8' Extension handle, long reach roller frame, and Sherwin Williams sample box are stored separate.

Electrical kit consists of one toolbox that has tools, wirenuts, pullstring, fishtape, misc. screws, etc. and a small rubbermaid tub that has wire, box / conduit fittings, etc. along with low voltage tools.

Tile kit is a toolbox and has various tools and specialty bits / blades for angle grinder, Dremel.

Plumbing kit is tools and misc related parts / supplies that get leftover from a job.

Kit in the house is a couple of pairs of Channellocks, regular pliers, utility knife, flashlight, 16' tape, adjustable wrench, 10 in 1 screwdriver, Bosch pocket driver and bits, 53 piece Craftsman socket set, etc. Saves a lot of trips to the garage for a simple task like tightening a cabinet pull.

Everything else is in the garage and gets put away as a project is completed. If I can't find something, I only have myself to blame 99% of the time.

All but one of my power tools came with cases. I try to keep as many related accessories for the tool in the case or as close to the case as possible. That includes bits, blades, grinding wheels, etc. Eliminates a lot of running and carrying an armload of tools for small projects.

 

[kwright]

I do essentially the same as boiler7904. When I need to do electricial work for instance, I just grab the pre-assembled electrical kit. I keep power tools, such as drills, in the shop as it's the base for everything. In other words, this type of tools does not belong to a kit.

 

[mmg440]

I have been trying to do the specific job kit thing like boiler7904 but always seems to turn into the saturation bombing method dwilliams35 uses. Had to put specific kits together when many tasks are not easily pigeon holed. Now I have about half my tools at our future home 500 miles away. Not helping much. My tools at work our much better organized but when I get really swamped there my box and cart can still turn into a mess there going into saturation mode.

 

[jgira12]

I like the kit idea...i suppose I am already doing that with electrical, wood working, and guitar repair, etc. It's more of a problem with the more general jobs such as working on the cars, or installing something in the house or the backyard. It never fails that I need to run back to the garage to get a wrench or whatever right in the middle of the job. I waste so much time and it takes the fun out of it. I just installed a heavy duty plasma mount on the wall in the basement; it should have been real simple as far as tools go; a level, a phillips drive, a ratchet with 1/2 " socket, a pencil...nothing unusual. I found myself running all over the place looking for tape, an awl (to find the exact center of a stud behind the drywall); cardboard to make a template because the darn mount weighed 33 lbs and it was too heavy to hold up with one hand and safely measure for level and mark 4 holes for lag screws. Of course, a stud finder was in the garage...that was one of many trips out there for sockets, a head light, and odds and ends. It just goes on and on until it gets to be a real pain. And get this, I HAVE 2 stud finders! LOL I ended up using a fine nail and sunk it next to the 'supposed' location of the studs to be sure the lag screws would end up in the stud centers. I spent almost 2 hours messing with this thing because I wanted to be sure it was on correctly. I think you guys get my drift.

 

[boiler7904]

I was watching a show on DIY today that made me think of this thread. Guy was remodeling his kitchen and sent his wife out for a few odds and ends. One of the items on the list was ten cheap tape measures. He made the comment that he could never find one when he needed it (as the camera panned down to his pocket that a tape was hooked on). She bought eight Stanley Powerlocks. At the end of the show, it gave a rundown of the costs for the project. One of the lines was like $56 for eight tapes. The next graphic said that five are currently missing.

In your case, I think it's a matter of grouping related tools together and keeping them grouped together once a project is finished. Start a basic carpentry / hand tool kit that includes all of the items you used for the plasma mount plus a hammer, pliers, adjustable wrench, etc. that you might need to do basic things. I'd throw a studfinder, roll of painter's masking tape, pencils, pens, markers, small flashlight, utility knife with extra blades and maybe a small level into the kit too. If the box or tool bag is big enough, think about one of the smaller Craftsman 3/8" drive socket sets that you can pick up for 30 or 40 bucks that includes standard and metric. Make that kit your go-to set of tools. You can always go after more specialized stuff but at least you'd have the basics to start with.

 

[jgira12]

I was watching a show on DIY today that made me think of this thread. Guy was remodeling his kitchen and sent his wife out for a few odds and ends. One of the items on the list was ten cheap tape measures. He made the comment that he could never find one when he needed it (as the camera panned down to his pocket that a tape was hooked on). She bought eight Stanley Powerlocks. At the end of the show, it gave a rundown of the costs for the project. One of the lines was like $56 for eight tapes. The next graphic said that five are currently missing.

In your case, I think it's a matter of grouping related tools together and keeping them grouped together once a project is finished. Start a basic carpentry / hand tool kit that includes all of the items you used for the plasma mount plus a hammer, pliers, adjustable wrench, etc. that you might need to do basic things. I'd throw a studfinder, roll of painter's masking tape, pencils, pens, markers, small flashlight, utility knife with extra blades and maybe a small level into the kit too. If the box or tool bag is big enough, think about one of the smaller Craftsman 3/8" drive socket sets that you can pick up for 30 or 40 bucks that includes standard and metric. Make that kit your go-to set of tools. You can always go after more specialized stuff but at least you'd have the basics to start with.

Great idea....I have a tool bag just for trips to Florida that I could use for general use around the house...I always forget what tools are in that bag. Also, I am going to buy a cheap tool set at Lowe's...the one that has all parts coated gloss black...that way I will know anything from that kit lying around here or there will need to back to the main kit location, most likely the garage.

 

[wrigh003]

I don't. It's bad.

 

[lh4x4]

Without success.

 

[Identaltech]

my tool box is a 08 caravan I travel the state repairing dental equipment so when I am home it is parked next to what I am working on. organization is a must know where you keep everything. Having more than 1 of each tool is always a plus!