Organizing large wrenches

[alan camby]

Anyone have any Ideas for organizing large wrenches?
Need to come up with a way to store my 1-1/8" and 20mm and larger wrenches.
Here are my ideas / brainstorming.
-Pegboard. but what about open end wrenches?
-wrench roll. Who makes a roll for large wrenches?
-Wish Ernst made a large gripper organizer.
-There is always the homemade spring idea.
-Make my own custom rack.

Currently have 1-1/8 thru 1-5/16" Craftsman combination wrenches. Thinking of getting 1-3/16x1-7/16 and 1-1/2x1-5/8" Craftsman open ends.

Metrics have on order 20,22,24,27,and 30 Allen USA wrenches. Already own some cheap import combo wrenches in sizes 21,23,25,28, and 32mm.

Any ideas I missed, besides just throwing them all in a drawer. They take up so much room layed out flat in a drawer.
I really like the idea of a wrench roll. Don't own a sewing machine to make my own.

 

[sumner52000]

I cut up on old CD rack.

 

[thooks]

I cut up on old CD rack.

Nice. I've got some large double box-end wrenches in both SAE and metric. I need to come up with some thing like that to loosen up the drawer space.

 

[84TurboBuick]

The foam wrench racks from Sears are what I use....

Standard....

Metric.....

 

[alan camby]

Decided to make a custom rack for a tool box drawer.
Using 2 pieces of 12x12mm key stock that is 12" long. Will use 1/4" ss rod for the dividers that separate the wrenches. This rod will be plug welded on the bottom of the rack then sanded smooth. (pics show temporary bolts)

Made one end of the rack, minus welding, tonight.
The holes are spaced .7" apart center to center.

 

[Matt018]

I made the spring type for my sets of 3/8-1" and 6-19 williams tiwanese wrenches that I made by wraping sigle romex type wire like the white and the black around a 1/2" drive extension, I guess you could apply the same method just upgrading wire sixe to like welding rod or something and wrap it around something like a 3/4" extension.

 

[Brad54]

I vote pegboard. I've got my combo wrenches up on the wall... it's my shop--if someone breaks in and starts stealing my tools, having everything in a tool box is just going to make it easier for them!

A single pegboard hook is the obvious solution for the combo wrenches.
For the open-end wrenches, think the other way: get the two-finger pegboard hooks, and set the handle between the fingers, and the head will rest on the fingers.

-Brad

 

[cotjocky]

Decided to make a custom rack for a tool box drawer.
Using 2 pieces of 12x12mm key stock that is 12" long. Will use 1/4" ss rod for the dividers that separate the wrenches. This rod will be plug welded on the bottom of the rack then sanded smooth. (pics show temporary bolts)

Made one end of the rack, minus welding, tonight.
The holes are spaced .7" apart center to center.

A very cool idea!

 

[Rickster]

I picked up this dish rack from Ikea and cut it down to fit in my "Big Wrench" drawer.

 

[reddog289]

I like the IKEA deal. In my box and locked up.

 

[alan camby]

Welded one of the holders and drilled the holes in the second holder.
When both holders are done i will add a bracket to connect the 2 to stabilize them.

 

[John316]

I have ernst rails like these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ernst-Manufacturing-40-Wrench-Rail-Organizer-USA-6014M-/270680986669

I have a drawer with 8mm thru 24,27,30&32mm and 1/4" thru 1-1/2" and this works out great. Note that this will not work in a 2" deep drawer though.

 

[alan camby]

I really like the dish rack idea. Should have thought of that since I have seen this used for pliers.
Oh well, Already have to much time in my project to turn back now.

John, did not realize the Ernst was capable of large wrenches. My main wrench drawer is 2" deep. I am putting my large wrenches in a 4" deep narrow drawer of the
Extreme 72" box. Another Idea would have been to buy the Ernst holder and cut the large end of the rack to fit my deep drawer.
Thanks for the ideas and keep them coming. Hopefully others will benefit from the info.

 

[Flash21]

alan...I'm loving your wrench rack you made. Very cool, I would like something like that myself.

 

[Krokodil]

Very nice rack!

 

[alan camby]

Received the rest of my large wrenches on Friday. Decided that the ideal spacing was 6" between racks. Welded in 2 pieces of the 12x12mm key stock to space them. The project is done for now. Maybe someday I will paint the rack.

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

I like Sticks idea, a large spring work really really well. I even use this for mine now. Best is most times there free or next to free.

 

[Steevo]

I try not to let my wrenches get organized. Once they do, then they want rest breaks, better working conditions, time off, etc.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I m ordering the Ernst 40 piece magnetic set. That will allow me to organize 8 to 24. My sae and a gear wrench set.

 

[MPOWERD]

Picked up 2 of the Ernst 40 piece sets... Also wanted to order the large wrench holders from Snap-on but their screwed up website keeps saying my address isn't valid...

 

[Outlawmws]

I know the thread is a year old, but I'm leaning strongly to using a longer hand carry box for the really big stuff, since It not used daily, and doesn't need to be filling my regular tool box drawers.

I set one up for my 3/4" drive sockets and ratchet, (But immediately outgrew it with 1" stuff... How to box up a ratchet that is > 25" long? not many carry boxes that long.)

 

[dirtmister16]

^ get a collapsable ratchet lol or one that has a head that locks into pipe like a snap on.

 

[Danglerb]

I'm thinking about hanging the big wrenches. I figure I don't use them very often and they cost a bunch so I should at least be able to look at them.

 

[g3integragsr]

Here's my common wrench drawer:

And my bigger wrench drawer:

 

[fm2176]

I bought a couple of wire racks from Dollar Tree and cut/bent them to fit most of my larger wrenches, as well as smaller wrenches I didn't already have racks for, pliers, and screwdrivers.

 

[Fastbird]

I'm using Ernst Rails, and they're holding up to my 1 1/2" CM Professional and 1 1/4" CM Raised panel and below, all in the same drawer.

Same thing on the metric side, I have all the CM Professionals up to 25 then 30 mm and Raised panels from 6-21mm and they store great in the rails.

 

[sberry]

One drawer, got another set hanging somewhere and a set on the service truck.

 

[Steevo]

Received the rest of my large wrenches on Friday. Decided that the ideal spacing was 6" between racks. Welded in 2 pieces of the 12x12mm key stock to space them. The project is done for now. Maybe someday I will paint the rack.

I really like those racks. Very clean and nice looking.

 

[Higgins]

OK gang, I have an old 18" Drop Forged Crecent wrench from Crescent Tool Co. in Jamestown Ny. It's HUGE as the jaw area is over an inch thick.

I don't want to get rid of it, but I do want to get it out of the tool drawer. I've been thinking of displaying it somewhere, but how? Any Ideas???

AL

 

[Steevo]

OK gang, I have an old 18" Drop Forged Crecent wrench from Crescent Tool Co. in Jamestown Ny. It's HUGE as the jaw area is over an inch thick.

I don't want to get rid of it, but I do want to get it out of the tool drawer. I've been thinking of displaying it somewhere, but how? Any Ideas???

AL

Belt hook?

 

[Higgins]

Well didn't think of that! - LOL

However, if I actually tried to use a belt hook on my pants, they would be down at my knees!!!! Will have to find my ole belt hook! - Thanks!!

 

[mlittle29]

Here's my idea of fun, Mav....

 

[Steevo]

I know the thread is a year old, but I'm leaning strongly to using a longer hand carry box for the really big stuff, since It not used daily, and doesn't need to be filling my regular tool box drawers.

I set one up for my 3/4" drive sockets and ratchet, (But immediately outgrew it with 1" stuff... How to box up a ratchet that is > 25" long? not many carry boxes that long.)

Here you go:

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/tls/3611353224.html

 

[gsmornot]

One drawer, got another set hanging somewhere and a set on the service truck.

Your cardboard reminds me of my dad. If he has any liner its cardboard. Ha.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I try not to let my wrenches get organized. Once they do, then they want rest breaks, better working conditions, time off, etc.

I hear ya....Mine recently asked for a bailout....

Find out what wrench is the leader...Mix up some cement and dip him into it, and drop him into the East River...The others will learn from his mistake...

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I hear ya....Mine recently asked for a bailout....

Find out what wrench is the leader...Mix up some cement and dip him into it, and drop him into the East River...The others will learn from his mistake...

I dunno...mine calmed down a lot after seeing these guys get worked over and demoted to crowsfoot duty...the rest decided their situation isn't so bad the way it is

Seriously though: I like the these wrench racks - and I have up to 1-1/2" on them:

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I dunno...mine calmed down a lot after seeing these guys get worked over and demoted to crowsfoot duty...the rest decided their situation isn't so bad the way it is

Too funny....