Shadowing

[hallboyone]

I know that this method of organizing tools always gets mixed results but I have a small enough collection that I can justify the time. I used foam insulation. Here is the link http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/100320340?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051&N=5yc1vZbaxx&R=100320340#product_description. $12 is pretty cheap and two sheets would shadow the largest tool collection. To mark the tools I laid them out and put a bright light about two feet above each one. You have to move the light each time to keep it centered over the tool at hand in order to insure a vertical shadow. Then you simply trace the shadow. To cut it of a used a dermal with the multi purpose cutting kit. As long as you went slow there was very little melting. I set the depth of the bit by holding the tool up to the bottom of the fence and adjusting it until the bit just barely was beneath the high point.
I was a little worried that I would end up with a lot of slop but as you can see nothing but the upper 3/8" has any noticeable gaps and that one only has gaps because I upgraded from a craftsman to a Wright. That leads me to the biggest problem with this technique, what if (when) you get a new tool. There is really nothing you can do which is why someone might not like it. Oh and one more thing, be sure to cut a finger hole to get the stuff out with. I failed to do this on a couple of tools and now it doesn't look uniform. Which is important of course.
Of subject but I thought I might ask. Do any of ya'll use silicon moisture absorbant products is your tool chests? Might be a easy way to fend of rust.

 

[yogitech]

I think you did a pretty nice job! Its a time consuming process, but yields some nice results when done right. You did mention one of the main reasons its not as practical though, you run into issues "adding" more tools to the board. Otherwise great for industrial, or community type setups that require tool control.

 

[gagreen]

Nice. Shadowing becomes an obsession for some and a joke for others lol. In aviation being able to show my shadowed and inventoried box has helped in my job search, tool control is important. I like it in my home boxes to helps me keep track of everything saving me replacement money.

wal mart sells camp sleeping pads that work well for non industrial area's. I have also read yoga mats work well but they didn't have the depth the sleep mats had.

I use the craftsman foam for my work box

To prevent problems when adding tools I have learned to compress as much as possible when starting a drawer to leave room for growth. Although if I keep adding tools I'll need to add a bigger cabinet lol.

 

[atwageman]

Nice. Shadowing becomes an obsession for some and a joke for others lol. In aviation being able to show my shadowed and inventoried box has helped in my job search, tool control is important. I like it in my home boxes to helps me keep track of everything saving me replacement money.

wal mart sells camp sleeping pads that work well for non industrial area's. I have also read yoga mats work well but they didn't have the depth the sleep mats had.

To prevent problems when adding tools I have learned to compress as much as possible when starting a drawer to leave room for growth. Although if I keep adding tools I'll need to add a bigger cabinet lol.

Yep. In aviation shadowing is required in most shops. Nothing like some FOD causing something horrible.