Storing Plastic Tool Kits

[Wubicon]

Taking a work brake and bumped into this. My home garage I have a few of these things and don't have a good answer. So far best I've got is having them stored book shelf style on their ends and then putting a label on them so if someone who is not me goes to get something, they can find it too.

 

[Skyman]

Many of those might store well in surplus filing cabinets.

 

[MichaelP]

Wublecon,
I tend to do it as you described. The only problem is that the labels don't stick well to the stupid boxes. I want to try rubber contact cement.

 

[four.cycle]

file cabinet. pick 'em up for free off craigslist.

 

[Wubicon]

Wublecon,
I tend to do it as you described. The only problem is that the labels don't stick well to the stupid boxes. I want to try rubber contact cement.

Noticed that too. Even with a really good cleaning first.

Might try permanent marker actually.

 

[MichaelP]

Yes, that's what I do for some of them.

 

[no704]

Silver sharpie works great.

 

[LeeG]

I pop rivet a strip of steel or aluminum to th3 end and put the label on that.

 

[BillK]

I bought one of these at a local school board auction. Have not put it into use yet but it would be perfect for those and other large tool boxes:

CSC DECOR INC 4-Drawer Black 52.28 in. H x 35.43 in. W x 15.75 in. D Metal Lateral File Cabinet Locked By Keys Storage Cabinet XS-W25262864 - The Home Depot

Add a versatile design with storage cabinet in your home by using Unbranded Black Metal Lateral File Cabinet Drawer Locked by Keys

www.homedepot.com

 

[Shiftless]

When I built one of my workbench’s, I put a shelf underneath and that’s where all my plastic tool cases go. The cases are different enough that I recognize them and don’t need labels.
If a guy had eye level shelves with plastic tool cases stored there, he could put big bold lettering on the edge of the shelf identifying the item there on the shelf. That’s too OCD for me.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I used to chuck those cases in my youth. But, I've come to realize that having everything a tool needs in one box kicks ***. No wandering around the shop, gathering bits n bobs. So, now I'm reacquiring them in free piles and at yard sales.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

In my shop, I built custom cabinets for my router, disk/belt sander, and planer. Each has open shelves under the top where I store my tool cases like those. Each case is marked with an appropriate color sharpie so I can quickly find the right tool

 

[bornbadbob]

I have more than a few of these blow molded cases, they take up a ton of space in my toolboxes. I don’t use most of them much since I have retired so I am going to build a shelf and put the things I don’t use often up out of the way. That will free up a lot of space. I think that means I will have more space for more tools?

 

[finn]

After a lot of soul searching, I think it’s best to throw them away if you aren’t storing tools in them. Modern tools are more likely to come in bags.

I store infrequently used tools in their blow molded cases. Tools like Brad and trim nailers, hole hog drills, trim routers, Drill Doctor, corded drills, and corded recip saws, and diagnostic tools.

Otherwise, if it’s a common tool, in regular use, out goes the case (after a while), or it goes on a hard to reach shelf.

 

[Wubicon]

I have more than a few of these blow molded cases, they take up a ton of space in my toolboxes. I don’t use most of them much since I have retired so I am going to build a shelf and put the things I don’t use often up out of the way. That will free up a lot of space.

That's what I did after I inherited my Dad's work tool box. I took the blow molded cases out that had things like spring compressors, bushing press kits, brake caliper piston return kit etc etc stuff that has lots of little bits that go with the tool, in the case, onto a shelf. All bookended.

I think that means I will have more space for more tools?

New, different tools.

When I built one of my workbench’s, I put a shelf underneath and that’s where all my plastic tool cases go. The cases are different enough that I recognize them and don’t need labels.
If a guy had eye level shelves with plastic tool cases stored there, he could put big bold lettering on the edge of the shelf identifying the item there on the shelf. That’s too OCD for me.

In my shop, I built custom cabinets for my router, disk/belt sander, and planer. Each has open shelves under the top where I store my tool cases like those. Each case is marked with an appropriate color sharpie so I can quickly find the right tool

The issue I've bumped into is, if I have a friend over helping out with something they can't just go grab it unless they happen to be familiar with that exact tool. So I've found it helpful to label drawers etc so they can be the gopher (go for this, go for that), instead of me. Even my wife has appreciated it if she's looking for a pair of pliers or whatever, she knows she can just look in the drawer labeled "Hammers" and find a screw driver....jk.

After a lot of soul searching, I think it’s best to throw them away if you aren’t storing tools in them. Modern tools are more likely to come in bags.

I store infrequently used tools in their blow molded cases. Tools like Brad and trim nailers, hole hog drills, trim routers, Drill Doctor, corded drills, and corded recip saws, and diagnostic tools.

Otherwise, if it’s a common tool, in regular use, out goes the case (after a while), or it goes on a hard to reach shelf.

Yeah, things like my cordless drills I cut a piece of PVC pipe and drilled them into the underside of a cabinet over a work bench. One of those things that you reach for all the time. I think I might have used the bag to put back up tools to keep in my car...Or threw it out...

I have a couple different corded power tools, for example. I don't use them often so they're all coiled up in a cabinet.

 

[racecougar]

I dedicated a few shelves in one of these lockers to all the specialty tools in blow-molded cases. Stuff like cam tool kits, ps pulley pullers, manometers, etc.

 

[pbon]

I have tossed all my blow molded cases for nearly all of the tools I frequently used and keep in my tool chests. There are a few exceptions for tools that I use less frequently like 3/4 drive socket set or socket sets I like to keep ready to grab and go, little things like bits and drill bits, and little things like some specialty socket sets such as stubby hex or long torx that are in pretty small cases.

Most of my power tools are also stored in a cabinet and their cases tossed. I have a few in soft sided cases that are infrequently used or have accessory packs that I want to kept together with the tool.

The tools that I do keep in their cases are the less commonly used automotive tools that have a bunch of accessories or parts that should be kept together. I keep them lined up on shelves in a cabinet and use a sharpie to label them on the visible side of their cases.

If I did not have as many tool chests, cabinets and lockers, I would keep more tools in their original plastic cases for storage purposes. But I found over time that I liked easier access in drawers of tool chests and bought more chests.

For the occasional user, buying a bunch of tool chests, cabinets and lockers is not necessary. They don’t have as many tools in the first place. Blow molded cases can be stacked or lined up on shelves or under or above a work bench.

 

[tez929rr]

I have a pile of handgun cases that looks just like that. I only keep them around so one day whoever I bet is them will have all the original stuff.

And a pile of those weird trigger padlocks everyone has to include now. I wish I had a good use for them.

 

[Chipm]

right now all of mine are in a large cabinet with two doors. Near-future plan is to add a tool box and put the tools in drawers either without cases, or with only the form-fit part of the cases.