Thoughts on Toolgrid for toolbox/tool drawer organization?

[lilscorpion]

I usually make my own organization stuff but I’ve become intrigued by Toolgrid. I like the idea of using a grid that you can attach to for the drawer bottoms instead of mat (or screwing organizers directly into the bottom of a wood drawer). The grid itself is a neat idea.

Then, as I pondered, I started thinking about the widgets they have for the grid. Some seemed goofy until I saw them in use in some videos. Now I’m contemplating using the system and augmenting it with my own widgets. Using some of theirs would get me to organized more quickly and reduce the fab needed for a large portion of my tools.

What you guys think about the system? I have some concerns about not being able tool density issues using their widgets but may need to play with it to really know if it’s an issue or not.

 

[username2]

Interesting, I've never seen that one. I admit I was considering making something like that.

You know, as a home player, I think that there's different needs for tool storage in a drawer. Densifying and/or finding stuff and/or FOD and/or keeping them from touching each other because they'll blow up or something.

My current bias is towards lots of cheap plastic boxes just to keep things from being in one big heap, but I admit that this looks amazing.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

An open source version of this is Gridfinity. I believe there are a huge number of models available for this system. Of course this would require you buy that 3D printer sooner rather than later.

Gridfinity

The modular, open-source grid storage system for your workshop.

gridfinity.xyz

Gridfinity :: Unofficial wiki

The modular, open-source grid storage system for your workshop.

gridfinity.xyz

 

[ecotec]

My problem with toolgrid it that the storage is not dense enough. There is simply too much space in between tools for the quantities of tools that I have.

For pliers, I like closet racks with the back side cut off.

For sockets, my preference is the 1990’s snap together socket strips. The problem with them is that they are almost impossible to find. I supplement them with regular socket trays. Someday I would love to do all of my socket drawers and my cart with them. I have enough for about half my metric drawer.

 

[lilscorpion]

You know, as a home player, I think that there's different needs for tool storage in a drawer. Densifying and/or finding stuff and/or FOD and/or keeping them from touching each other because they'll blow up or something.

Agree. I have some basic principles that I try to keep in mind when trying to organize. Maybe common sense but oddly it’s very easy to violate -

• I should be able to get at (most) everything in a drawer with a single motion (shouldn’t need to move something to gain access to something else).
• Organize tools by function - welding stuff goes with welding stuff instead of trying to keep pliers together (e.g. the welding pliers should go in the welding drawer vs the pliers drawer).
• Tools accesses most frequently should be in the top drawers, less frequently closer to the floor. I should avoid bending over 100 times per day if I can avoid it.
• Keep tools/consumables as close as you can to where they’re used/leveraged to minimize steps. Having a complete extra set of tools if you have multiple work areas may actually be necessary.
• Don’t waste space trying to organize - I see a drawer with awesome screw driver organizer that looks great but causes 6 screw drivers to take up the entire drawer.

My current bias is towards lots of cheap plastic boxes just to keep things from being in one big heap, but I admit that this looks amazing.

Yeah, I hear you. I don’t like the drawer full of boxes look except for hardware organization.

 

[shakenfake]

I have it and I love it. I don't have every drawer filled out and I don't think I will, but for wrenches, sockets and ratchets it is probably my favorite solution. This is at home.

My one suggestion is to buy less of the large wrench holders and more of the mediums. I could have definitely fit that 24mm in a medium holder.





Also I did try to make my own ToolGrid and let me just say **** that. I don't remember exactly how many of my own boards I printed but oh my god was it tedious. Now the board I was using probably was not optimal since I had a LOT of holes, however it was just a huge PITA. It would take me an entire day to print one board and if I remember correctly I needed something like 40 boards for my top drawer? Which meant 40 DAYS worth of printing. If I screwed up, which happened, then I was out a day. That also doesn't include printing the holders.
I did think about remixing the design I was using to be more like tool grid as that would probably not take nearly as long to print but I have yet to get around to it.

The boards are the most expensive part. I love it though. I hated having all my stuff slide around when I shut drawers. This keeps everything nice and tight.

 

[username2]

Yeah, I hear you. I don’t like the drawer full of boxes look except for hardware organization.

For parts storage, I've been using cheap/free map cabinets and USPS flat rate boxes (don't tell on me). It's been fine although it doesn't have the panache of Lista cabinets filled with plastic boxes.

I just reorganized a bunch of stuff and repurposed a batch of parts bins I had (Akro-Mils? dunno what brand they are) for pliers, snips, and the like. It actually came out OK and was pretty dense. Naturally, the best part that it was with bins I already had, so the cost was zero. It's too easy to be a magpie about buying storage solutions (ooh, bright colors!) with Amazon at the ready.

Generally, I don't like any socket storage I've dealt with except for those old Craftsman metal cases with the flip over retainer thing. All the rail systems are kind of irritating I think, and pegs imply difficulties in moving the whole deal if you're not certain on size.

This is nothing to do with the OP, but a thing I swear I'm going to try sometime is the following. I tend to own the same cars over and over (how many 302 and 396 Camaros can a person own in their life? we'll see.) and there's not a lot of variance in fastener there. My idea is to take one of my cool old tombstone Craftsman boxes, get a tool from the large box as needed, stick it in the small box. After a year or so, I'll bet that that small box doesn't have a lot in it. Basically a Camaro toolbox. From that viewpoint, a person could have probably come out money ahead just buying singletons from Snap-on. Storage problem solved.

 

[lilscorpion]

I have it and I love it. I don't have every drawer filled out and I don't think I will, but for wrenches, sockets and ratchets it is probably my favorite solution. This is at home.

My one suggestion is to buy less of the large wrench holders and more of the mediums. I could have definitely fit that 24mm in a medium holder.





Also I did try to make my own ToolGrid and let me just say **** that. I don't remember exactly how many of my own boards I printed but oh my god was it tedious. Now the board I was using probably was not optimal since I had a LOT of holes, however it was just a huge PITA. It would take me an entire day to print one board and if I remember correctly I needed something like 40 boards for my top drawer? Which meant 40 DAYS worth of printing. If I screwed up, which happened, then I was out a day. That also doesn't include printing the holders.
I did think about remixing the design I was using to be more like tool grid as that would probably not take nearly as long to print but I have yet to get around to it.

The boards are the most expensive part. I love it though. I hated having all my stuff slide around when I shut drawers. This keeps everything nice and tight.

Fantastic perspective. I can see trying to recreate the mat itself could be a waste of time. Also makes sense that long flat surfaces may not be worth printing. I’ll keep that in mind especially since I have machines that already do that easily.

Thanks for the tips on the wrench widgets. I was speculating that maybe I only need mediums and smalls for what I have. I’ll favor mediums.

I’m leaning towards using the mats as the foundation and buying the widgets that I can use as is out of the box and then augmenting the system with widgets I make on a printer. Probably I’d get more sophisticated over time…but we’ll see.

 

[lilscorpion]

For parts storage, I've been using cheap/free map cabinets and USPS flat rate boxes (don't tell on me). It's been fine although it doesn't have the panache of Lista cabinets filled with plastic boxes.

I just reorganized a bunch of stuff and repurposed a batch of parts bins I had (Akro-Mils? dunno what brand they are) for pliers, snips, and the like. It actually came out OK and was pretty dense. Naturally, the best part that it was with bins I already had, so the cost was zero. It's too easy to be a magpie about buying storage solutions (ooh, bright colors!) with Amazon at the ready.

Generally, I don't like any socket storage I've dealt with except for those old Craftsman metal cases with the flip over retainer thing. All the rail systems are kind of irritating I think, and pegs imply difficulties in moving the whole deal if you're not certain on size.

This is nothing to do with the OP, but a thing I swear I'm going to try sometime is the following. I tend to own the same cars over and over (how many 302 and 396 Camaros can a person own in their life? we'll see.) and there's not a lot of variance in fastener there. My idea is to take one of my cool old tombstone Craftsman boxes, get a tool from the large box as needed, stick it in the small box. After a year or so, I'll bet that that small box doesn't have a lot in it. Basically a Camaro toolbox. From that viewpoint, a person could have probably come out money ahead just buying singletons from Snap-on. Storage problem solved.

What you’re talking about (having only the tools you need vs every tool) is a common practice for mechanics who work on specific brands/models. Over time they learn what they need to do their job and those “odd sizes” end up being replaced with other more useful tools. The problem with that strategy you e already pointed out - you can only limit your tools of you have limited fasteners to deal with.

E.g. a Motorcycle mechanic may have no need for sockets and wrenches over 19mm..

I, on the other hand, have absolutely no idea what I’ll need at any given moment because what I work on is all over the place.

 

[username2]

you can only limit your tools of you have limited fasteners to deal with.

No doubt. (sorry for hijacking the thread everyone else, I didn't mean to), and it could be a separate box from your main one obviously.
I was just musing about this wondering just how small a kit a person could put together for (let's say) a Datsun 510 or an early Nova SS. It would be interesting to see the equivalent of one of those 10mm all socket rails for 1/2" or something. A pro-rally car or offroad racer kit would be a variant I suppose. I did have to laugh at Grumpy Jenkin's toolbox for sale and just the scattering of stuff that was in it.

Back to your regularly scheduled programming.

 

[username2]

I have it and I love it. I don't have every drawer filled out and I don't think I will, but for wrenches, sockets and ratchets it is probably my favorite solution. This is at home.

You know, for the life of me, I can't figure out pricing from their website.

Could you give some general idea of what all this runs? Thanks....

 

[shakenfake]

@username2 Too much.

You have quite a few options but you can't actually buy it from their website. You need to buy everything from Olsa Tools which is where I purchased all the holders. You can get a MUCH better deal on eBay if you wait a bit and time your purchases as there are sellers selling it for much cheaper.

You can either do the 6x6 grids or the larger ones such as 25x27. I chose to do the 6x6 because if I upgrade to a bigger box or change boxes at all it will be easier to move.

From Olsa the 6x6 grids in a pack of 16 are $100. All the holders are stuff are priced VERY well in my opinion. 25 socket holders only costs something like $5? The grids are the only part that in my opinion are a bit overpriced.

 

[charbar]

My problem with toolgrid it that the storage is not dense enough. There is simply too much space in between tools for the quantities of tools that I have.

Same reason I decided against it as well. But it a guy didn't need to have every drawer packed full I think it would be a nice system.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

No doubt. (sorry for hijacking the thread everyone else, I didn't mean to), and it could be a separate box from your main one obviously.
I was just musing about this wondering just how small a kit a person could put together for (let's say) a Datsun 510 or an early Nova SS. It would be interesting to see the equivalent of one of those 10mm all socket rails for 1/2" or something. A pro-rally car or offroad racer kit would be a variant I suppose. I did have to laugh at Grumpy Jenkin's toolbox for sale and just the scattering of stuff that was in it.

Back to your regularly scheduled programming.

I have friends that race midgets, their pit boxes are very sparse. They have a few metric wrenches for their more modern Mopar midget engines, but everything else is SAE and they only have probably 10 wrenches (or more accurately 10 sizes). Each drawer has tools for a specific function: one drawer is for engine tuning, one is for shocks, one drawer has all the tools for rear gear changes, tire prep stuff like a grinder, Grover and siper are in another.

 

[username2]

@username2 Too much.


From Olsa the 6x6 grids in a pack of 16 are $100. All the holders are stuff are priced VERY well in my opinion. 25 socket holders only costs something like $5? The grids are the only part that in my opinion are a bit overpriced.

Good gawd, I'll say. On eBay I'm seeing a 15"x25"piece going for $40 (2 for $79.17). This is a chunk of plastic, correct?

Maybe there's a patent for a sheet of holes.

The world is a mysterious place. It's like how you see nicer socket rails go for the same amount as a set of cheaper Taiwanese sockets.

 

[shakenfake]

@username2 Yeah just plastic lol

Like I said I have tried to print all of it out and it is just a beating to do so. One day I will probably re-do my creation and see if I can't print something a little better/faster.

I paid somewhere around $90 or so to do one drawer on my Harbor Freight Series 2 44". I have priced out doing the socket drawer and it will cost me somewhere around $250 (that includes doing my ratchets). It is expensive but honestly is the best organizer I have ever used.

 

[lilscorpion]

I paid somewhere around $90 or so to do one drawer on my Harbor Freight Series 2 44". I have priced out doing the socket drawer and it will cost me somewhere around $250 (that includes doing my ratchets). It is expensive but honestly is the best organizer I have ever used.

Daym, hadn’t done the math. I was thinking it wouldn’t be that much. Given the number of drawers I need to do I probably need to stick with how I’ve been doing it. After your feedback I’m now thinking I might use the tool grid - girdnitsoef as the foundation for my customizers I make. A LS a way to attach them to the drawer bottom (wood drawers). I can then drill the correct spacing into my organizers and attach them that way. My wrench holders and socket organizers are much cheaper and Incan customize them anyway I want. Using the TG system was just going to save me time..

 

[shakenfake]

I think ToolGrid works best if you limit it to just your socket and wrench drawers. I do like their bucket system as well but I am not 100% sold on it and I am not sure if I would ever use it as intended.

My problem I have with socket rails is that they are flat out unstable and everything just tips over. I have some 3D printed socket holders but they are very bulky and if I sorted all my sockets there would probably be not enough space.

 

[CS454]

Had it in my Matco cart. It was expensive and I found it really did become a pain if you had to reorganize or you had a better idea.

 

[shakenfake]

@CS454 What are you using now?

 

[72Anthony]

I think one of big advantages is flexibility and modularity.

 

[shakenfake]

That is the huge advantage of it in my opinion. BUT it does take effort to move stuff. Installing all the boards and working everything out the first time maybe took me 30 minutes for the first drawer? Once I had that image in my head of how I wanted it the second drawer went faster.

I have socket holders I have 3D printed that work great on my Craftsman stuff, they are the perfect size, but then if I put in some other brands (Husky being a huge offender) they **** and usually are too big.

One of the things I don't like are the colors for the socket holders. They only have blue and red which I think they should have at least one more color for things like torx or just socket bits.

 

[Blind1]

What you’re talking about (having only the tools you need vs every tool) is a common practice for mechanics who work on specific brands/models. Over time they learn what they need to do their job and those “odd sizes” end up being replaced with other more useful tools. The problem with that strategy you e already pointed out - you can only limit your tools of you have limited fasteners to deal with.

E.g. a Motorcycle mechanic may have no need for sockets and wrenches over 19mm..

I, on the other hand, have absolutely no idea what I’ll need at any given moment because what I work on is all over the place.

I’m focused on fitting as many tools as possible into as small a space as possible in my garage. Drawers are often 2-3 layers deep.

I’m not a flat rate tech. I’m not a pro. Everything is organized, but densely. Never have to wonder where things are.

 

[afazz]

I outfitted one of my socket drawers with Toolgrid to try it out. I am happy with their solution for sockets in this toolbox, and the density I achieved, but only because I have lots of partial sets and singles. This is also a fairly small drawer which limited the grid cost.

I find their plier organization solutions to be bulky, ugly, and low density so I stacked an Ernst rack on top. I didn’t even bother to try their wrench organizers.

Another quick note, the blue studs can be dyed black with boiling Rit Dyemore (Graphite is the darkest color available). The red ones don't hold dye as well, and I couldn't get either to accept color at room temperature.



The Individual rails, Hansen / Westling trays, and 3D printed ratchet holders (from various fly-by-night Instagram brands) in my main toolbox are more dense, equally organized, but less flexible. I use Toolbox Widgets or homemade solutions for the singles and partial sets. For what it’s worth, I do not intend to switch to Toolgrid here.

 

[CS454]

@CS454 What are you using now?

I've come off the floor these days but I honestly used old school stamped socket rails the most. Tended to group by common use rather than sets if I could, but even working mobile everything just sat packed as tightly as possible in the top box, no movement no issues.

 

[Outahere]

Good gawd, I'll say. On eBay I'm seeing a 15"x25"piece going for $40 (2 for $79.17). This is a chunk of plastic, correct?

$60.75 for a 2-pak here:

toolgrid-tgb-15x25-two-board-pack

 

[shakenfake]

I didn't like the big boards because of the lack of modularity. But for some it fits the bill. Or it might have been fine for me and I worried for no reason.

 

[Openrecall]

I have it, i have OCD with my tools.

Overall i like it, everything has its home and i can easily identify if/when something is MIA. The only big issue i have is adding sockets/moving sockets takes time to reorganize everything(hence the socket rail laying on top of the right side)

 

[jake28]

I’m dabbling now and just 3D printed a bunch of organizers and socket widgets. Might someone be able to give me a spec for the grid and hole dimensions? I’ve got easy access to a CNC and was going to cut the grid into some 3/8” plywood before deciding whether or not to invest more.

 

[shakenfake]

@jake28 Wow that turned out really good! If I can remember I will get some measurements tomorrow. I am laid up with an ankle injury at the moment but should be better come morning.

 

[olsenmotorsports]

I will throw some input into this. 25 years in the trade and I have had it all in terms of organizing. My .02 as I have a couple bucks invested in both tools and organization. I am not a hobbyist or a collector. For me it is speed as that is how I make my living.

Should preface this with NO I do NOT owe any tool guys any money (always the first comment about what an idiot you are, did you know so and so makes this for snap on etc ). My kids are grown, college educated and yes I own real estate! Just trying to shed some helpful light.

Tool grid is an amazing product. But it has its place. For me it is amazing and the GO TO for socket organization. Worthless for wrenches as you will see. As your investment starts to scale you have to go vertical in your drawers so keep those snap on wrench holders and just stack them up.



This is my quick grab service cart. I use this one to roll around the shop to maximize my efficiency in case I am called to another workstation. The shop is 7.5k sq feet so that is a lot of steps and even more money if you have to walk back and forth. Two drawers have tool grid in them, the top socket drawer and the pliers/driver drawer. Tool grid for pliers is worthless IMHO so just stick to Snap-On pliers racks. Both wrench drawer’s in this cart are all snap-on trays.



Love the TG as you can mix and match your 3/8, 1/4 and 1/2 in categories so it is all there. One issue is sometimes it is hard to tell what you are grabbing. So I put breaks at 13 so it makes it easier.



Quick grab service stuff all daily use. This drawer previously was a mess. Easy to see now and easier to see that I left something behind.






These two wrench drawers could benefit from some additional organization, but there are no plans to grow this cart at all. (Pretty much done buying hand tool’s)

 

[olsenmotorsports]

My main box has a lot of tool grid in it. The moduline cabinets to the right have all my blow molded and big sets in it. When you plan it out have to be aware that tool grid adds a lot of height, so it will not work in the 2” drawers.



Like here. This is brake service drawer and tool grid would be great but height wont work, so this is tool box widget.



This is my metric drawer, and is all tool grid. Really helps lay everything out, gives the tools flow and the ability to categorize everything together with symmetry. In love with this personally. The ball Allen’s are stacked on top of the same set in regular Allen’s used the corner holders to keep it all in place.




The wrench drawer in the big box is a mess. It’s all stacked on top of each other at the top, three high in sets in that area. This is where it is super beneficial to keep the snap on organizers. Makes stacking and moving things super easy.



I use the TG bin organizers for my engine special tools. They are a couple mil’s shorter than the lista red organizers so I am able to use a 2” drawer for this setup.


I think TG is the best solution for the ratchets - if someone has a better one I am a buyer!



TG would be fantastic in this drawer and save me a ton of space. But the height doesn’t work, and I need my deeper drawers for bigger stuff. I could do tool box widget here, but that one set of radiator picks I have had for 25 years so I dont want to give that case up. Call me strange but I have a ton of old school stuff from way back then and i am proud of it!



This is a mix and match of tool grid and snap on holders.

I wish tool grid was there back in the day. Would give me a heart attack if I added up the VIM holders, wrench racks etc that I have spent money on over the years. I think I am done though and found my brand! Money well spent.

 

[richfinn]

I will throw some input into this. 25 years in the trade and I have had it all in terms of organizing. My .02 as I have a couple bucks invested in both tools and organization. I am not a hobbyist or a collector. For me it is speed as that is how I make my living.

Should preface this with NO I do NOT owe any tool guys any money (always the first comment about what an idiot you are, did you know so and so makes this for snap on etc ). My kids are grown, college educated and yes I own real estate! Just trying to shed some helpful light.

Tool grid is an amazing product. But it has its place. For me it is amazing and the GO TO for socket organization. Worthless for wrenches as you will see. As your investment starts to scale you have to go vertical in your drawers so keep those snap on wrench holders and just stack them up.



This is my quick grab service cart. I use this one to roll around the shop to maximize my efficiency in case I am called to another workstation. The shop is 7.5k sq feet so that is a lot of steps and even more money if you have to walk back and forth. Two drawers have tool grid in them, the top socket drawer and the pliers/driver drawer. Tool grid for pliers is worthless IMHO so just stick to Snap-On pliers racks. Both wrench drawer’s in this cart are all snap-on trays.



Love the TG as you can mix and match your 3/8, 1/4 and 1/2 in categories so it is all there. One issue is sometimes it is hard to tell what you are grabbing. So I put breaks at 13 so it makes it easier.



Quick grab service stuff all daily use. This drawer previously was a mess. Easy to see now and easier to see that I left something behind.






These two wrench drawers could benefit from some additional organization, but there are no plans to grow this cart at all. (Pretty much done buying hand tool’s)

I would love one of those old 964s to play around with on our local Yorkshire country roads (preferably an RS without the wing)

 

[olsenmotorsports]

I would love one of those old 964s to play around with on our local Yorkshire country roads (preferably an RS without the wing)

Love the RS, although I am a turbo guy at heart. That’s what I do for a living - specifically air cooled - restore them nose to tail!

My favorite RS we had In here last year Rubystar wow what a color that was.

 

[richfinn]

Love the RS, although I am a turbo guy at heart. That’s what I do for a living - specifically air cooled - restore them nose to tail!

My favorite RS we had In here last year Rubystar wow what a color that was.

Is that the dark pink colour? It does suit the car I must admit, but I like the blue version best

I need to go check my Lotto Ticket

 

[olsenmotorsports]

Is that the dark pink colour? It does suit the car I must admit, but I like the blue version best

I need to go check my Lotto Ticket

Indeed it is! Which blue? for me it is maritime blue.

Buy those tickets in bulk prices are insane on the RS. Should have bought ten of them when they were 50 g’s!

 

[N8sToolz]

I see all the pictures of tool grid pictures here and on other posts and while it looks so pleasing I'm not I could handle such a low density of use of space.

I've got most of my sockets in the earnst twist lock rails. I was unsure of how the plastic bits would hold up but I think I've ever broken one. I work one evening all over the map, and do a lot outside in my flat bay and I like the idea of just grabbing an entire rail instead of making two trips because I got the wrong size.

Most of my drawers are pretty much stuffed to the gills but I can always seem to find what I need without any searching. Helps that I'm the box all day.

 

[jake28]

@olsenmotorsports thanks for the write up and review

 

[isb cornbinder]

Did you send the SnapOn truck on its way, empty?

 

[olsenmotorsports]

@olsenmotorsports thanks for the write up and review

You are welcome. Debating starting my own thread somewhere. Lots of cool stuff to share on projects, engine building, metal shaping, car building, diag etc. But my media department is so busy on our Instagram and YouTube I would hate to add more to their plate.

Did you send the SnapOn truck on its way, empty?

HA bought a couple things from them over the years. Local company by where I live so (Chicago area) so we try and support the brand as much as financially possible.