organizing a punch drawer

[thejudges69]

I am moving all of my tools into my krl761 and everything is going good except the punch drawer. I left the punches in the plastic tray they came in because I hate digging through my drawers looking for a punch or chisel or whatever. I'd like to see some pics of other guys setups for this and maybe some suggestions, I thought about a utensil organizer from say bed bath and beyond. I just know that they plastic organizers they come in are taking up way to much space and its eating most of the drawer, I think I can get this to fit a lot more. I'm really trying to utilize the space in the box to its max potential.

 

[whelenfan]

I just keep mine laying loose in a smaller drawer, but maybe if you were to fab a section of wood with holes drilled for them at an angle?

 

[thejudges69]

I keep mine in a 2 inch drawer but its just like I'm wasting a lot of space for these

 

[franzdom]

I have a bunch and they are all laying flat, perhaps a cutlery tray would be a good idea.

 

[lilredex]

Most of my punches are wall mounted and not in a drawer for the reason you suggest.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

Since I don't have small dawers any longer since I went with a wide bottom, I divided off one of the smaller drawers. I use aluminum right angle as the dividers. Then I just lay them next to one another by type.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

I have an organizer tray from HF and I put the different styles in groups in each divider. The tool trucks sell these trays too. If I had a tray they came in or a roll I would have just kept them in those

 

[Elroy]

Elroy might recommend you make a block holder:

The hex body prevents the "holder" from rolling and the size was chosen to fit inside one of the tool box drawers when on its side. Go ahead make one for your self. It's unique and works well.

 

[archirelic]

that's a pretty wicked idea Elroy!

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

The ones I use at work are all in a wrench roll I picked up at a flea market for $3. At home I have a cheap dollar store utensil tray for them.

 

[JASTECH]

Elroy, good idea. I like the aluminum angle too but would glue neo magnets under it.

 

[woody 73]

Elroy very nice Job!

I take either a 4x4 or a 2x2 and make it 12inches long then I either add 10 or 20 holes depending on what I want to hold. ie 20 drill bits or 10 big punches etc.

 

[whelenfan]

another great idea and the realization of the idea from elroy! kudos to you sir!

 

[thejudges69]

Most of my punches are wall mounted and not in a drawer for the reason you suggest.

This is awesome, I could hang them in my hutch, where did you get these. The plastics took up way to much room, I threw the plastic out today and it opened up 80% of the drawer that was full of plastic organizers.

 

[adam909]

take them out of the tray and put them on a magnetic strip.

 

[Big Gus]

For the punches I store in my KRL, I just use kitchen drawer organizers. I got them at Target a couple years ago. the organizers I have fit in the shallow drawers of a KRL.

The punches I have out in the barn are hanging on the wall similar to another post above. The only difference is that my organizer is made of wood.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Mine are in the top left drawer of my craftsman box. I have just enough of them so they don't roll around.
Elroy, that is a very nice holder!

 

[JASTECH]

Hmm, what about a magnetic rail on the side of your box? Unless other workers borrow them.

 

[Sincitymetalworks]

Mine is kinda of a mess but it works for me

 

[littletoes]

Mine are like SSMW posted above, put flat in a drawer with my prybars.

 

[greasemonkey44]

Mine is kinda of a mess but it works for me

i did the same as you; my punches are in the lid of an old drill bit case
along with some cheap needle files

elroys idea is pimp though

 

[thejudges69]

here is a pic of my drawer, I have to do some rearranging, I have the punches where the pliers should be and vice versa, I just think they look bad just laying around in there.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I've posted this a few different times. It's not my idea originally. I stole it from another GJ'er but I don't remember who it was.

I hadn't thought of it before this thread but you could do something like this on thin hardboard or plywood and put several in a drawer. Even "layer" them if you have enough punches, etc.

Anyway, this is how I have mine organized:

Ok, got the photo in. Sorry for the delay.

Its just $2 magnetic strips and socket racks from Harbor Freight. If I follow my new idea and screw them to hardboard or plywood, I'll likely make one for screwdrivers, socket extensions, anything straight whose shape lends itself to this kind of organizer.

 

[lilredex]

This is awesome, I could hang them in my hutch, where did you get these.

It is just 1/8 X 3/4" barstock that was drilled and welded up. I see an add on there, that is a 1" square tubing, just drilled (middle row)

Here's a better view:

I recently picked up some powder coated rectangular (from a gazebo) tubing that measures 1/2 X 1"..............even better (less work) than what I used.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

There's always this method too:

 

[Steevo]

I did what Dan did, with the Schaller boxes. I separated my punches into pin punches, tapered punches, center punches, small chisels and large chisels. Also used these bins for all my probes, hooks and de-burrers, same as Dan did.

 

[bobcatdan]

I have been meaning to bend up some sheet metal into trays for punches and whatnot. Mine are lined up in a row, but over time creep back form opening and shutting.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I did what Dan did, with the Schaller boxes....

I'd like to take credit Steevo but those trays aren't mine. I stole that picture off a website for tool organizers. I don't know why inexpensive plastic kitchen utensil organizers wouldn't work just as well? Granted they won't be primary colors but they'll work the same.

I have been meaning to bend up some sheet metal into trays for punches and whatnot...

Why bother? Buy kitchen utensil organizers and save the effort. I've even seen them made from stainless steel mesh at specialty kitchen stores - pricey though.