Storing blow moulded tool kits/sets

[takai]

Recently I picked up a few specialist tool sets at a shop that was closing down, mainly getting things that I already have and used but missing parts for. Things like bearing puller or press sets, noid light kit, and rivnut installer etc. All those sort of things that its really useful to keep in a blow mould case and have all together when you need them.

Struggling though to figure out a good way of being able to store the blow moulds neatly. Normally i would just pull the tools out and put them in Kaizen foam in a drawer one of my tool boxes. But here i want to keep all the fiddly accessories in the blow moulds.

I tried stacking them up in a cabinet, but then its annoying to get to the ones at the bottom, and also knowing which is which. Stacking on end worked a bit better but similarly annoying as they inevitably dont fit easily and arent flat on top due to different overall sizes.

Anyone have reasonable suggestions (apart from throw away the blow moulds)?

 

[MJO]

Label them and put them on a shelf like library books.

 

[takai]

Label them and put them on a shelf like library books.

Yeah, messed around with that, and perhaps its just because im putting them in a cabinet, but there is a ton of wasted space when stored like that. Plus with the cabinet edges its a multi stage process to get the edge ones out.

TBH this is my default if there are no better suggestions.

 

[crewchief888]

some blow molded cases I keep the set of "stuff" in them.
some in toolbox drawers,
some in the open compartment of a roller cab
some on open shelves.

in my service truck, (somewhat a cramped space) it's a game of tetris getting to certain boxes. most used stuff is a little easier to get to

 

[APEowner]

I've used all of the above suggestions depending on what the tool is, where I'm using it and where I'm storing it. One other option I've used is to cut the top off the case and lay it flat in a tool box drawer.

 

[quadrcr87]

I struggle with this as well, I think we all do. Like crewchief888, I have various cases stored in different ways. The key in my mind is to only keep the tools in cases that make sense like sets with small parts. A combination of cabinet shelves and tool box drawers is likely the best solution.

 

[crewchief888]

I struggle with this as well, I think we all do. Like crewchief888, I have various cases stored in different ways. The key in my mind is to only keep the tools in cases that make sense like sets with small parts. A combination of cabinet shelves and tool box drawers is likely the best solution.

sets like bits/drivers, taps & dies, bushing/seal drivers, ball joint press and adapters all stayed in the original cases, i have all my 1/4" dr stuff, as well as my cordless grinder in repurposed boxes.

garage is all over the place, depending on how/why it's used. some cased tools get moved back and forth between the house and garage, depending on the season, ( i dont spend much time in the garage once the temps drop, and the snow flies).

i scrounged quite a few blow molded cases and repurposed them for tools and accessories that didnt come in cases. i have 1 set of SK sockets still in it's blow molded cases, it's my most used ( garage/house) socket set.

 

[takai]

Sounds like its a bit of a pain all around. Righto, will persevere with the current arrangement unless anyone can find a better solution.

 

[mmb617]

My problem is with not throwing away the cases for tools that I don't intend to keep in the cases anymore. I realize I should pitch them but then I think it's a shame to throw out such a nice case and tell myself that maybe I'll find some other use for it someday. So I stash it away, but never find another use for it.

 

[bwringer]

I've used all of the above suggestions depending on what the tool is, where I'm using it and where I'm storing it. One other option I've used is to cut the top off the case and lay it flat in a tool box drawer.

If you have the drawer space, this is a nice solution, at least for the more frequently used stuff.

For example, if you have a drawer dedicated to your thwackery tools, then that would be a good place for a bearing driver set.



But back here in the real world where I don't have space or cash for 953 drawers, I tend to keep them in stacks according to vaguely related purpose. One key is to label them on the end so you can tell which of the 27 somewhat identical ****** plastic cases is the one you want from the pile.

Storing them on end would be nice, but many of them (at least the ones I have) don't retain the contents well enough to be stored vertically without creating a mess every time you open them.

I suppose one could knock together some simple shelves with varying spaces between the shelves to accommodate the cases.

 

[348guy]

Those blow molded cases are great for storing power tools. [emoji16]

Sent from my XT1635-01 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[takai]

I suppose one could knock together some simple shelves with varying spaces between the shelves to accommodate the cases.

A friend suggested i make up another set of shelving like I have for my component storage:

But only a handful of my blow mould boxes are the same width, so that isn't going to work. Was a nice idea though. I did briefly consider whether some wire racking could be used as a vertical rack using U shaped hoops on those slot wall mounts, but i think you would lose too much vertical space to make it worthwhile.

 

[MarlynOC]

Got an old TV cabinet on wheels. It has shelf that is about 18" high and 24" wide and a closing cabinet below. Good to line up the cases like nail guns, dremel and such for easy access.

 

[sberry]

write on the end of it whats in it with a marker. Tape and write on it, some way to label the ones look alike or so others can find them.

 

[SGKent]

library books on a shelf with handles up. Easy to pull out and put back. They will take up the same room regardless where they are. Mine are at a height where I can reach them but walk under them.

 

[Dustball]

Pick up a used server rack and throw in some shelves spaced at the heights you need.