Ratchet and extension organizer

[sgtmac]

My socket, ratchet and extension drawer is a half organized half cluttered affair.

My sockets are under adequate control. My issue was with ratchets and extension tossed into baskets and wherever.

I needed a way to organize and account for those suckers.

I tried several shadowing methods and it was not very successful and not very uniform.

One day I was doing arts and crafts with my kids and that's when I discovered air dry clay. We were flattening it out and making impressions with toys. That's when it dawned on me this may be my ratchet/extension organizing solution.

The picture is my trial piece and I learned a few things but in the end it does exactly what I want.

It's not finished yet but it's in my box and working well. Once it's completely dry I will paint and maybe color the depressions with a contrasting color.

 

[oldldh]

That's not too shabby!!!


Ya Dun Gud, Bubba!!!

 

[Richard Cranium]

I like it, what kind of foam did you use?

 

[k-os]

I like it, what kind of foam did you use?

One day I was doing arts and crafts with my kids and that's when I discovered air dry clay. We were flattening it out and making impressions with toys. That's when it dawned on me this may be my ratchet/extension organizing solution.

Looks like he used clay.

 

[alex95eg]

Im trying this tomorrow for all my ratchets and extentions!! I could see several coats of plastic dip to protect it from dings in the drawers.

 

[madcrisis]

when you did the impressions did it stick to the tools at all?

 

[sac02]

How dense is air dry clay? Is it pretty heavy, does it add a lot of weight/heft to the drawer?

 

[pendragon1998]

when you did the impressions did it stick to the tools at all?

You could lay a sheet of plastic wrap on the wet clay to prevent the tools from getting damp. I would consider wiggling the part in the clay a little to account for shrinkage when the clay dries. You might also put in recesses beside the tool to allow your fingers to pick up the tool more easily. I agree that a thick coat of plastidip might help keep the dried clay more protected, as well as prevent it from crumbling on the edges. Maybe place the wet clay sheet in a shallow tray.

 

[wafrederick]

Another place to check out for cheap storage for ratchets and extensions is at the dollar store.I did that and it works good.Found the small utensil storage pieces work great for storing 1/4 drive ratchets,breaker bars and nut drivers in one spot.

 

[the.wong.kid]

not bad, definitely better than those space hogging snap on trays etc

 

[nicksnothereman]

I usually leave extensions on a dedicated ratchet (if it's not an extremely long extension). Helps keep track of them.

 

[Tronyadorable]

FANTASTIC. Please elaborate

 

[sgtmac]

Thanks for the positive comments.

I used crayola air dry clay. It was about 8.40 at Michaels with a coupon. I ended up using 3 5 pound pails but I think I could have done it with 1.5.

I made my wood frame and put plastic on the bottom. My next one I will bend up a sheet metal base and fold 1/4 sides. I used wood from Home Depot and in the end it was too deep.

It weighs about 11 pounds but hopefully will lighten as it dries.

I hadn't worked with clay before and was surprised that it does shrink. I had to press the tools in again to maintain the depressions. Now that I know about shrinkage I will make the depressions with some wiggle room and deeper.

I used vegetable oil as my release agent to prevent the tools from sticking. I hope it won't jack with my painting.

More to follow as it progresses.

 

[markyfly]

I would think as long as you clean the veggie oil off with a proper solvent (alcohol?) it should adhere fine

 

[Exceller8]

Looks good!!

 

[gol4]

"Now that I know about shrinkage I will make the depressions with some wiggle room and deeper"

Its 21 degrees outside. You don't need to tell me about shrinkage.

 

[Richard Cranium]

So that is what the gals are screaming about in your avatar. Neat Ideal, off to Michaels tomorrow for me. I will try to steal this ideal...Thanks O.P.
Richie

 

[sgtmac]

I think I will make my next one in a thin cookie sheet. Easier to move. The one I made was intended to fit tight but it's heavy and was a booger to get in place.

I've also discovered putting the tray in the oven at a low temp will expedite the cure. Leave the door cracked open so the moisture can escape.

 

[sac02]

Sarge, to clarify - the clay will stay in the cookie sheet permanently (cookie sheet + clay goes in your box)? Or is the cookie sheet mainly just a way to be able to oven cure the clay faster? How durable is it - any concerns about a large thin flat piece of clay breaking during removal from the cookie sheet? Or even during routine use if you were to fumble and drop a ratchet on it?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm really considering this for my box.

 

[cheechi]

My next one I will bend up a sheet metal base and fold 1/4 sides. I used wood from Home Depot and in the end it was too deep.

They make flexible cutting boards (they're definitely not boards), maybe 1/32" thick at most that would do better than bending up a box as far as thickness. A box/tray would be easier if you need to lift it out often, but depending on the thickness you make it you could also just make finger holes in the clay for that purpose. I assume what you used was 1/4" ply from the photo?

I like the idea. I might do it like you did.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Ha ha, your toolbox is full of a bunch of Crayola products that are not tools!

Just had to say that! Pretty clever idea though. - Paul

 

[metalhead212121]

awesome idea. thanks for sharing it.