Infrequent Tool Storage

[Olympus]

Hey guys, I’m just a DIYer/tinkerer and I’m in the process of redoing my tool setup in my shop. I recently bought one of the new Harbor Freight tool carts and have put all of my commonly used tools into. I’m really liking it because I just wheel it up to whatever I’m working on.

However, I’m trying to figure out what to do with my less frequently used tools. I’m currently using an old Stack-On rolling chest but it’s in bad shape and mostly empty now that I’m using the tool cart. It’s mostly my big tools that don’t get used often, big channel locks, big pipe wrenches, big crescents, cheater bar, etc. I also have a draw dedicated to air compressor fittings, compressor oil, air tool oil, etc. I have a draw dedicated to electrical stuff, a deep draw that holds a few of my corded power tools like angle grinder, rotozip, router, etc that rarely get used. Then I have a catch all drawer.

I’d like to come up with some way to store all this other odds and ends tools and stuff and get rid of the old Stack-On chest. My shop doesn’t have any cabinets on the walls so I’m limited on storage options.

Inside my shop:


Tool cart:

 

[Ray-CA]

Search your local craigslist etc for lateral file cabinets. I have a 5-drawer unit and it holds all of larger corded tools. Router, re-cip saw, circular saw, air nailers, etc.

Ray

 

[tarbellb]

The Husky 46" black rolling cabinet w/ wood top for $200-300 is pretty decent deal, specially for infrequent use. Has big deep drawers on the bottom for those larger items you mentioned.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4...-with-Solid-Wood-Top-Black-7440946R/206839475

 

[HaroRider]

Thats what most guys do. Keep all the other stuff in a bigger box. I even keep alot of blow molded cases in a cabinet.

 

[tarbellb]

Oh yeah, a filing cabinet can be a excellent storage system for blow molded and large equipment fosho.

to this for < then $100

 

[plinker]

I bought a Sandusky roller cabinet for storing bulk items at work, does nicely. Not Snap-on level by any means, but it handles what I've got in it just fine (welding/safety gear, literature, cased tools, etee..)

I got it from Zoro & used a discount code.
https://www.amazon.com/Sandusky-TA4R302466-09-Transport-Storage-Cabinet/dp/B007WOQAM4/ref=pd_sbs_328_6?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B007WOQAM4&pd_rd_r=f0701aba-6849-11e8-b1c4-c1bd54985e60&pd_rd_w=ZyRPT&pd_rd_wg=qGom3&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=5825442648805390339&pf_rd_r=C6DHX8RSK1X7PFAKJ2JH&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=C6DHX8RSK1X7PFAKJ2JH


File cabinets are a good method as well, for home use they would be better, I needed mobile & lockable.

 

[jd_1138]

Maybe print out some labels to stick on the doors to show what tools are in what drawers. That will save some time in the future.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Personally, I would try adding some shelving. That's probably the cheapest way to go.

 

[jonesg]

Personally, I would try adding some shelving. That's probably the cheapest way to go.

And pegboard.
I don't own a tool chest.

 

[bczygan]

Hey guys, I’m just a DIYer/tinkerer and I’m in the process of redoing my tool setup in my shop. I recently bought one of the new Harbor Freight tool carts and have put all of my commonly used tools into. I’m really liking it because I just wheel it up to whatever I’m working on.

However, I’m trying to figure out what to do with my less frequently used tools. I’m currently using an old Stack-On rolling chest but it’s in bad shape and mostly empty now that I’m using the tool cart. It’s mostly my big tools that don’t get used often, big channel locks, big pipe wrenches, big crescents, cheater bar, etc. I also have a draw dedicated to air compressor fittings, compressor oil, air tool oil, etc. I have a draw dedicated to electrical stuff, a deep draw that holds a few of my corded power tools like angle grinder, rotozip, router, etc that rarely get used. Then I have a catch all drawer.

I’d like to come up with some way to store all this other odds and ends tools and stuff and get rid of the old Stack-On chest. My shop doesn’t have any cabinets on the walls so I’m limited on storage options.

Inside my shop:


Tool cart:

Well, you bought the HF service cart, which is great for your most used tools, and as you found, easy to move around. There is a thread here on customizing that cart for more flexibility. I would at least add a side shelf.

The next thing I would do is get a file cabinet or two, both lateral and vertical legal sized. Can be found for free on CL. This would be good for bulky tools. As has also been mentioned, open shelving is also good for this.

At some point you will need the HF 44" roller. Eventually even 2 or side and top boxes or a larger roller.

Bill

.

 

[flushcut]

Oh yeah, a filing cabinet can be a excellent storage system for blow molded and large equipment fosho.

to this for < then $100

Couldn't agree more they can be picked up cheap like $10-20 and some of the older units rival Lista in construction. Read: heavy, solid, well built, thick steel, and nice ball bearing slides. Parts not so much but if it hasn't broke in fifty + years odds are it won't break.

 

[Mr_B]

+1 on filing cabinets, all ones I got have been free collected locally from businesses having revamp or moving .
even at 20bucks it cheap for what is a potential lifelong storage solution and has some security which maybe beneficial if storing more expensive power tools and equipment (my insurance would void lot of stuff if not physically locked away) .
like idea of having on wheel base, you made me another job know after seeing that image .

 

[jshillin]

I use my Craftsman box for that exact thing. It's a 26" that I bought new about 11 years ago, bottom box, 2 middle boxes and a top box. It's pretty full though. My cart and Snap-on box has all of my most used items.

 

[Finky198]

+1 of file cabinets we have 6 or so in the shop filled with differ supplies. Usually Cheap sometimes free but heavy duty with all metal construction on the decent ones...

We have one that holds roughly 20 1 gallon, paint cans well as probably half a dozen quart can, Another has 100s of feet of wire in coils. Another is the same but with hoses. One is shop supplies having full assortment of cutting, grinding, sanding supplies, brushes and rollers, dope, multiple types of tapes, wire brushes, We store quite a massive inventory of supplies. For us file cabinets are cheap and functional way to store a lot of stuff in a small space and keep it secure.

Oh and then there’s my tool cart

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

I ditched a set of used kitchen cabinets and bases forming a table top and overhead in favor of three lateral cabinets and wish I had done it years ago. Having closed sealed storage has helped greatly in the clutter department. I may replace some open shelving with these next. They just eat up things like tool cases, bins, parts trays, etc.