Organization

[BradMM]

I tried to use the "search" function but I haven't had much luck.

Wifey and I are planning to build a new house which gives me the opportunity to organize my tools and collection of leftovers from past projects. I don't have enough space currently (maybe I simply need less stuff!) so it's not as organized as I'd like and want to start off on the right foot in the new space.

I currently try to hang my hand tools on the wall but maybe I should go the tool box route to consolidate better.

Looking for suggestions.

 

[PelicanPines]

Tool boxes for storing tools...

Double the current space in the new build...

What are your project plans for the future?

 

[Richard Cranium]

Figure out how much space you will need and triple it.
I have never heard any one say I wish I had built my shop smaller.
Including me.

 

[PelicanPines]

Oh... forgot one thing... put everything on wheels... so you can play garage tetris

 

[rburke65]

Just, as always, depends on your budget and what your doing in the space. Make it a lot bigger than what your planning.....and the budget as well.

 

[crewchief888]

IMHO,

hand tools belong in a toolbox, stuff that wont fit in a drawer are (just) Ok hanging on the wall.

i keep mechanical/cutting/welding completely separate from any woodworking tools.

a combination of shelves, enclosed cabinets, and small parts storage seems to work for me.
everything, with the exception of my toolboxes, is salvage/re-purposed /dumpster diving finds

i dont keep a lot of hardware, parts and supplies "in stock". i'm close to all the big box & hardware stores, parts places, welding & steel supply houses.

just my $0.02

 

[Empty Pockets]

Figure out how much space you will need and triple it.
I have never heard any one say I wish I had built my shop smaller.
Including me.

I couldn't have said it better

 

[kbs2244]

The only time I like tools on the wall is the ones that are used repeatedly for workbench repairs and assembly.
Otherwise in a rolling tool box so you can take them to the project.

I do have duplicate, even triplicate, of some tools in job specific tool boxes.
A plumbing box, an electrical box, a carpentry box, etc.

 

[Cyberbear]

Build as large as space and budget allows. I personally don't care for the cluttered look of tools on the walls. In my present shop I have a separate storage room with industrial steel shelving for storage of misc. that can't go into my cabinet drawers. Use rolling tool chests for working on mid floor projects. Also use the space above for a mezzanine storage area if needed.

 

[Koolmoose]

3 houses, 1 condo, 2 garages, and 3 sheds over the past 41 years produced the following knowledge: One can never have enough garage or shed! NEVER! Please pay attention to the posts above about space. Since you are building you have a unique opportunity to design your space. Best wishes for your build.
Steve

 

[southalabama]

My grandad gave me this advice and it follows what has been posted above. He said he built a number of sheds and barns over his lifetime each time he built bigger than he thought he would ever need and each time he filled it up.

I'm not much for hanging stuff on walls except big t squares and long levels.

Since I'm in a small town with limited hardware choices I prefer to keep hardware on hand. A trip to the hardware store usually ends shop time.

 

[jloehlein]

I'll be the odd man out and say that I prefer to put stuff on the walls and that I only put in a toolbox what doesn't fit on the wall very well. Just my personal preference. Here is a picture to give you something to think about.

I will say that this is pretty inefficient if you're short on space. My hand tools moved out of a small 26" toolbox and top chest and now take up like 15' of wall space. I like it though - I can see everything I have and my father and friends who are over often don't need to ask where things are.

Also - build as big as you can, like everybody says.

 

[Brad54]

I have a combination of wall and box storage:
Two tool boxes hold most of my tools. I have all my hammers on a hammer-forming stand, so no hammers in the boxes.
I've got a full set of wrenches in two drawers of my tool box, but I also have a full set of wrenches from 3/8 to 1 1/8 on the wall above the tool boxes. There's at least two of every size, four to six of common sizes (1/2, 9/16, etc.) so when I'm wrenching with friends and we keep misplacing wrenches, we just grab another. There's also a couple single wrenches bigger than 1 1/8 on the wall.

On the corner wall next to the tool box, I've got all my measuring and lay-out tools--speed squares, machinist squares, metal rulers, circle templates, tape measures, etc., along with a set of five adjustable wrenches that only get used for flanging metal.

Other wall has three different wood saws and a claw hammer, full set of pry bars, etc. and all my clamps are on the walls too.

I wallpapered my shop with white pegboard, which makes things a lot brighter, and it also makes hanging, and moving, tools a lot easier, to make their locations more intuitive.


-Brad

 

[rutwad]

Where do most store items like skillsaws, 1/2" drills, jigsaws, sawzalls, and such?

 

[jloehlein]

Where do most store items like skillsaws, 1/2" drills, jigsaws, sawzalls, and such?

I keep my angle grinder and a couple cordless drills on the wall as well because I use them all the time. Other items get stored on shelves.

 

[BradMM]

Sorry for the late reply... I thought I'd get an email notification.

Thanks for the feedback! I like the combination of tool box but wall storage for the larger stuff.

 

[stonesg]

There are bench tools and there are stall tools.

When I'm at the bench I want them all right to hand so that's racked on the wall. Wrenches, screw drivers, measuring, marking etc.

In the movable cart which stores in the knee hole of the bench are the other set of tools that go to the job be it the motorcycle, car or any other project that's not at/on the bench.

In other words... The reason for two sets of some things like wrenches.

There are also those times when you actually need two of the same size wrench or socket. Two ends of a fastener the same size and or two workers etc.

TG