Learning the new tool box

[jdub63]

Well, I finally purchased a new tool box. Now I'm trying to figure out how to remember where I'm putting each tool. In my old box, I could tell you which drawer each tool was placed. Now I'm trying to divide the stuff up between the old and the new.

Anyone have any suggestions on a logical layout?

jdub

 

[Old Moparz]

I had that same issue going to the new box a few years ago & still pull the wrong drawers open sometimes.

The more you use it, the more familiar you get. I do put the most used items like wrenches & screw drivers in the top 2 drawers of the bottom box since they are the easiest to grab. I did consider putting labels on the face of each drawer, but never did. It would help my wife when she needs something when I'm not home. She hates looking for a screw driver since there are so many drawers in the garage box or the one in my basement.

Kind of like when she tells me, "Look in my purse."

 

[jjjrmx5]

Well, I finally purchased a new tool box. Now I'm trying to figure out how to remember where I'm putting each tool. In my old box, I could tell you which drawer each tool was placed. Now I'm trying to divide the stuff up between the old and the new.

Anyone have any suggestions on a logical layout?

jdub

Use the dwr hgt to your advantage.

I've got wrencher buddy's that come over my house all the time for beers and tool time that get in my boxes and rearrange things (usually monthly) saying I'm "doing it wrong" and they have a more efficient tool storage placement.

All it really means is that they move sh&^ around and I have to hunt for it . Again.
In the same box that I knew where it all was before.

Keep buying tools and you get pretty crafty at making it all fit no matter the box. How and where you place things burn into ur memory if used over time.
Move them and your brain will catch up. Eventually.

 

[Zeke]

Just takes time. I spent 15 minutes looking for a spray gun wrench after I rearranged.

But, I have 2 boxes ranging from 2 bench top to 3 floor models of different sizes.

 

[MattDoves]

I know how it feels, it takes a bit of time to reaccomodate

 

[graffix000]

You could always put labels on the drawers. I did this after as it cut the time in a third when someone was helping get tools for me when I was working. Now they can read the label and get the right too right away.

When I only had one box, it is not difficult to remember where things are. Now with 3 boxes, it makes life a little easier.

I just used a brother label maker and magnetic tape that I bought in the classifieds for cheap.

 

[jdub63]

As always...all great comments...

thanks,

jdub

 

[On1Wheel]

I only have a small chest with a top box so it's not too hard to remember, but I just try to keep similar-purpose tools together. I also don't have a ton of tools stored, so again, not so hard for me.

For example, cutting tools go in the top (knives, small hand saws, etc), tighteners first drawer (screw drivers and small wrenches mostly), second drawer has electrical stuff, third has various rarely used and hard to categorize tools. The bottom chest is a little more of a hodge-podge of bulkier items. One of the lower drawers is full of detailing supplies.

 

[daveroy]

Next time your in Jimmy Johns, Dominoes, or anyplace that has the magnetic little business cards, grab a few. Cut em to whatever size is handy, paintem or coverem with white stick on labels. Write on them with a sharpy or marker, and you have movable labels that can shift when you change the layout. Help other find and replace stuff properly, and do no damage (I HATE glue residue!) to the box.

 

[kv501]

it would help my wife when she needs something when i'm not home.

6 month immediate man card revocation.

 

[Todd.Brock]

What HE Said ^^^

I have a 40" 7 drawer KRA box for the garage at home that is decently stuffed. I cant even find **** in it. Driver me nuts. The ball bearings probably are worn out just from me looking for things... As to helping the wifey, my wife knows not to go near the tool bench. I could hide my girlfriend over there and she wouldnt notice..(not that I have one....)
My wife tried once but thought it was locked b/c of the finger locks you have to undo. That is the most frustrating thing about a snapon box when the boys come around. No one ever remembers and is yanking on the drawers trying to get them to open. Or they want a hammer but seem to thing your ratchet or adjustable wrench is an acceptable substitute..... Ok, Rant over.

 

[Todd.Brock]

Next time your in Jimmy Johns, Dominoes, or anyplace that has the magnetic little business cards, grab a few. Cut em to whatever size is handy, paintem or coverem with white stick on labels. Write on them with a sharpy or marker, and you have movable labels that can shift when you change the layout. Help other find and replace stuff properly, and do no damage (I HATE glue residue!) to the box.

That there is a hell of an idea for the Ptouch labeler I had to have b/c of this dang place....

 

[Capt Chrysler]

Use it more!

Capt. Chrysler

 

[rburke65]

graffix000.......what type / model of Brother lable maker do you have. And, what features of it do you like or not like. I was just looking at them 2days ago at Office Max and i'm looking to buy. Thanks.

 

[rarevair]

There are magnetic sheets available that you can print on with your computer printer. Works pretty well unless you have a wooden tool box.

If you are using the box alot and still having trouble finding tools, maybe it is a sign you need to rearrange your drawers . . . put the labels on the drawer where you reach for a certain tool . . . then move that tool to that drawer.

I like putting larger bulkier tools in the lower drawers . . . the tools I use most at elbow level. Figure out what works best for you.

 

[mmb617]

it would help my wife when she needs something when i'm not home.

6 month immediate man card revocation.

Agreed!

Here's how to solve that problem. I bought my wife some cheap basic tools that she keeps in a drawer in the kitchen. You know, a tack hammer, pliers, couple screwdrivers, tape measure, even a cheap cordless drill/driver. If those tools aren't sufficient she's over her head on the job anyways. She knows how **** I am about my tools, but I will fix whatever it is if she asks. It just might take a little while.

As for the suggestion about the magnetic advertising cards, that's a great idea!

 

[gatchel]

There are also white board magnetic strips you can write on if you want flexibility in making changes.

Something like this:

http://www.wayfair.com/Quartet%AE-M...GPA49-QA1384&gclid=COLKpr6wlK0CFcfe4AodOF68OQ

 

[Northstar]

I got some toolbox drawer label holders that slide onto the front edge of the drawer from Sears. I don't really need them myself, but my wife is quite handy too and I'd rather have her find it easily (and put it back) than destroy the toolbox.

fyi: she wanted a kitched cabinet that hung down over the peninsula, so she moved it. All 8' long and 3' tall of it. Assembled. By herself. Another time she wanted a new toilet, so she went out, bought one, and replaced it without any help. I do my fair share, but she has no qualms about doing it herself. Gotta love that.

 

[Brad54]

Well, I finally purchased a new tool box. Now I'm trying to figure out how to remember where I'm putting each tool. In my old box, I could tell you which drawer each tool was placed. Now I'm trying to divide the stuff up between the old and the new.

Anyone have any suggestions on a logical layout?

jdub

I always set up a tool box for the most commonly used items are the first drawers opened.
For instance, pliers go in the first full-width drawer, screwdrivers in the second, wrenches in the third, hammers in the fourth, and so on.

I thought about this because when someone is helping you and they go for a tool, they always start at the top and work their way down looking for it.

size of the tools versus the size of the drawers will dictates where some go.



-Brad

 

[Old Moparz]

6 month immediate man card revocation.

That's pretty damn funny...lol

You don't know my wife though, she's not afraid to fix **** & get grease & dirt on her hands. She helped build the garage with me by mixing concrete, digging holes & swinging a hammer. (although with 2 hands at times)

Her & my daughter cleaned up the roof shingles I tore off the house & filled up the dump trailer. Two weeks ago she re-caulked the tub where it meets the tile, & just last week she changed the electric motor on the coal stove that feeds the coal from the hopper.

If losing my man card for 6 months because she can find & use my tools, which leaves me more time to sit down with a cold beer instead of fixing EVERYTHING, then I'm cool with that.

 

[Chris Adams]

What HE Said ^^^

I have a 40" 7 drawer KRA box for the garage at home that is decently stuffed. I cant even find **** in it. Driver me nuts. The ball bearings probably are worn out just from me looking for things... As to helping the wifey, my wife knows not to go near the tool bench. I could hide my girlfriend over there and she wouldnt notice..(not that I have one....)
My wife tried once but thought it was locked b/c of the finger locks you have to undo. That is the most frustrating thing about a snapon box when the boys come around. No one ever remembers and is yanking on the drawers trying to get them to open. Or they want a hammer but seem to thing your ratchet or adjustable wrench is an acceptable substitute..... Ok, Rant over.

Um, you know, those annoying 'roll and lock' plastic dinguses come right out?
I have them in a couple of my boxes, but the boxes that get daily use, the RR strips are out and in storage.

I like Griplatch, but can't tolerate the levers Torin uses, or the Roll and Annoy from SnapOn

That's pretty damn funny...lol

You don't know my wife though, she's not afraid to fix **** & get grease & dirt on her hands. She helped build the garage with me by mixing concrete, digging holes & swinging a hammer. (although with 2 hands at times)

Her & my daughter cleaned up the roof shingles I tore off the house & filled up the dump trailer. Two weeks ago she re-caulked the tub where it meets the tile, & just last week she changed the electric motor on the coal stove that feeds the coal from the hopper.

If losing my man card for 6 months because she can find & use my tools, which leaves me more time to sit down with a cold beer instead of fixing EVERYTHING, then I'm cool with that.

My wife brings me tools many times a week. Yesterday in the morning she had to make three runs from the middle power gate to the shop for tools and instruments (dang power gate, got one of three fails a lot) and each time came back quickly with the right tools.

On the other hand, I can't find a damn thing in her purse...

My wife grew up in her fathers machine shop. She gives ME tips on how to use big power tools.

Yesterday we drove 400 miles to pick up a tool box. Think she didn't have things she wanted to do instead? She helped drive, helped with the trailer, helped with the tie downs. While I was enjoying a burger, she was crawling over the trailer checking the straps.
My man card feels no threat.

 

[spclk]

Use the dwr hgt to your advantage.

I've got wrencher buddy's that come over my house all the time for beers and tool time that get in my boxes and rearrange things (usually monthly) saying I'm "doing it wrong" and they have a more efficient tool storage placement.

All it really means is that they move sh&^ around and I have to hunt for it . Again.
In the same box that I knew where it all was before.

Keep buying tools and you get pretty crafty at making it all fit no matter the box. How and where you place things burn into ur memory if used over time.
Move them and your brain will catch up. Eventually.

The first time a buddy moved any of my tools would be the last time he would be invited over