How do you store.....

[cfaas416]

I know there are several similar threads out there but i can't seem to find one answering this question. I recently purchased both the standard and metric t-handle Allen wrench sets from sears (as well as the star bit Set) however i can't come up with a good way to store them?? So i ask, any great ideas on the matter? Putting them in my toolbox drawers just isn't practical as they are quiet bulky however being somewhat of a neat freak this is bothering me storing them in a small box on my work bench. Ideas?


After we solve that one lets tackle how you store scrap parts? We all do it i know.

 

[tjmonsen5]

There is no good way to store them. Best is to just leave them outside of the toolbox if possible, they just take up way too much room.

 

[ATC]

If you've got time, take a piece of 1/8" square tube and drill a series of holes in it all the way down. Make the holes the same size as the corresponding tool. Voila!
Or just buy one...

 

[Jarhead0408]

I have the same problem. I havn't done this yet myself with the t-handles but this was my solution for all the wood boring bits I have. Just take your drill press and a 4x4 post cut down to length. Drill 4 holes per size across the width of the post and done! Make sure you don't space them all using a smaller bit as the larger ones will hit each other. I like to start with a bigger size. Drill the hole, insert bit then place the next smaller size beside it leaving about 1/4" to 1/2" gap, mark and drill and so on and so on.

A similar solution that I would use for the T- Handles would be the same as above except that I would put the holes in at a angle so that they stuck out like so: \ you could even shave a third of the block off of one corner where you would be drilling the holes anyways, going back the length of the post so that you still have enough weight to keep the block upright without having the post looking weird with the handles coming out of the corner. Or just use the top method and call it a day.

 

[signcrafter]

I have one of these I bought used and like it, http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=682191&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[MustangFJ]

I made something like this out of a wood bock. It worked fine when I had not many tools and lots of space. But it took up too much counter space for a tools I don't use every day so I tossed the block into the scrap wood pile.

Mine are now just in a pile in a drawer. I was thinking of using a wire rack to put them on their sides inside a deep toolbox drawer.

 

[jmm]

Mine have a small drawer to themselves. They used to sit on my tray until they started going missing. Not neat, but functional.

 

[coolreed]

I made a thin wooden shelf on the wall and mounted the T-allen wrenches to it.

 

[JASTECH]

I don't even have any sets of "T" handle Allens beleive it or not, lol..I have a couple single specialty ones from 20+ yrs ago. I think now of just buying the ratcheting "t" handle then a set of inserts in Allen, Torx ect. This way it won't take up valuable real estate in my box's. Do you think this is better way?

 

[signcrafter]

I don't even have any sets of "T" handle Allens beleive it or not, lol..I have a couple single specialty ones from 20+ yrs ago. I think now of just buying the ratcheting "t" handle then a set of inserts in Allen, Torx ect. This way it won't take up valuable real estate in my box's. Do you think this is better way?

That will work unless you get a allen bolt down in a hole or obstructed and the bit holder is to wide to get in the hole. I've had this happen many times.

 

[MustangFJ]

That will work unless you get a allen bolt down in a hole or obstructed and the bit holder is to wide to get in the hole. I've had this happen many times.

I bought the Craftsman torx set simply because I needed a long security torx to reach down a deep hole on a piece of electronics. Any bit holding type driver would not have worked.

That said, good old bent hex wrenches work just find unless you use them a ton.

 

[Outlawmws]

I don't even have any sets of "T" handle Allens beleive it or not, lol..I have a couple single specialty ones from 20+ yrs ago. I think now of just buying the ratcheting "t" handle then a set of inserts in Allen, Torx ect. This way it won't take up valuable real estate in my box's. Do you think this is better way?

That will work unless you get a allen bolt down in a hole or obstructed and the bit holder is to wide to get in the hole. I've had this happen many times.

I have Std L Allens, Allens with screwdriver handles, and socket/bit Allen drivers. Where I needed a deep shot, I simply replaced one of the bit drivers with a long shank from a cut off L Allen... (Which is why I've basically skipped the T handle Allen sets)

 

[RCStocker]

I have 3 sets. SAE, Metric and Torx. They are a pain in the bum to store I found a nice old metal box to put them in. I had them out in a wood block holder. I hate things sitting out. The box is on the shelf about one of the work benches. 3 sets and I have never used one of them.

 

[dharma-bum]

I have one of these I bought used and like it, http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=682191&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

I have the same one-labeled Eklind. Bought it here- http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/ww...ex+key+stand&N=0&GlobalSearch=true&sst=subset

Works for me

 

[BWS]

In the M/C cabmets,they're thrown in a drawer with Tee-handled sockets.And pretty much is a mess....no big deal.

In MS(machineshop)I simply stole a nice pce of figured hdwd from the cabinet shop.....net 2" thick,4" tall...and 15 or so inches long.This got screw'd glued to another nicely figured "drop" which serves as a base.Tees and chuck wrenches fit into holes drill'd in top(2" egde)....and live next to a lathe.

These are orphan pcs of $$ wood,squirrel'd away for the express use in exactly these types of holders/accesories,whatthefuckever.Theres a small selection right now on a shelf in MS,waiting patiently(some 8 and 12/4 Mahogany).Chit,got our most used tap clearance drills stuck in an eyeball peel'n,slack jaw...Triple AAA fancy block of Cherry.Its stained with Mobile 1...think its 15w-40?

 

[timbitca]

I have a set of t-handles similar to the one pictured above. I have the holder screwed into the stud wall of my garage. It's not ideal and I'd prefer having them in the toolbox, but box space is at a premium at my place and I can't make it fit right now. Not the ideal situation, but it works for now.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I was thinking about selling my t handles on eBay and buying the bondhus straight handled ball drivers. I don't have a good space on top of my tool box for them.

 

[RECox286]

Magnetic strips that will hold a variety of stuff like that.

Uncle Bob

 

[Outlander]

Thanks guys for the painful reminder of how poor I am in the allen key dept.

I do have a set in a metal rack that was portrayed above, can't remember using...but I must have one of the set is missing. The rest are all in folding sets..metric, SAE, torx. Something like this

All my misc sets, one offs, found keys etc at home are hidden away in a little toiletries bag I received during a first class flight to Germany in the 80's. Please let me keep my man card.

Now, back to my original point....I can check out my Outlander (mostly) and Ram and see what kind of proper sets make sense. Pictures of storage ideas will help me ensure they fit in my set up and don't end up forgotten in a drawer until I am half way through a job.

 

[Kevin54]

Scroll down through this thread of Tripp's and look at the holder he made http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117392&highlight=tripp

 

[Outlawmws]

After we solve that one lets tackle how you store scrap parts? We all do it i know.

I started this thread for screws, nuts bolts etc...

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117174&highlight=screws+nuts+bolts