Tool box organization-Metric and standard together or separate?

[MalibuLX3]

So as I'm beginning to plan the organization of my toolbox, one thought, among many, has popped into my head and I though I would come to yu guys to see which you prefer.

Do you have one drawer for your metric tools and another drawer for your standard tools? Or do you prefer one drawer for all your wrenches, both metric and standard, and another drawer for all your sockets?

I can't decide which layout I want to go with. Practically speaking, one drawer for metric and another drawer for standard sounds most efficient, seeing as it is rare to be working on a project with both metric and standard. However, I also like the idea of keep sockets with sockets and wrenches with wrenches.

So, which do you prefer?

Metric sockets with metric wrenches, standard sockets with standard wrenches. Or, sockets with sockets and wrenches with wrenches?

 

[Kylecivicsi]

sockets with sockets and wrenches with wrenches?

This.

 

[Alchymist]

In my main toolbox, one drawer for o/e, one drawer for b/e , and one drawer for combos. Metric and SAE are together, however, I laid out all the metrics and spray painted the centers on both sides with a light green paint. Makes id real easy.

 

[trainwreck]

My tools weigh less than I do, so take my advice for what it's worth. I don't work on older American cars much, so the only time I really use SAE is inside the house. Conversely, the only time I really use metric is in the driveway. Like you said, it's rare (never?) that I need metric and SAE simultaneously. Your needs will obviously differ.

I don't even own a large tool box, so I divided my tools into two very small tool boxes. (14" and 16") One set is all metric, and I use it for cars. The other set is all SAE and I use it inside. (Irony, I know.) For tools that have some overlap, I just have two, and keep one in each. (Think channellocks, hammers, screwdrivers, etc.)

I used to keep sockets with sockets and wrenches with wrenches. And it was nice to have a sort or order to it all, but I got tired of lugging around every tool I owned every time I wanted to do something. I found it's a lot more convenient to carry a small tool box than a large one for me. Some of you guys built like semi's will feel differently, I'm sure.

 

[Kirbot]

I almost never use metric, so all that stuff is separate and out of the way.

 

[usmc_noma]

I just have a 41" box without a full length drawer. I put all my sockets in the top drawer and have it separated by metric and sae. In my second drawer I have the majority if not all my metric wrenches. This includes flex, ratchet, s-wrenches, and combos. In another drawer I have the sae wrenches.

 

[crewchief888]

none of the above
work boxes
all metric wrenches (comb,saltus,angle head) in one drawer
std wrenches 1/4-1 1/4 (comb, saltus,double box,ratcheting)
std angle heads
std comb 1 5/16-2" adjustables, pipe, long 1/2"dr ratchet
sockets all in one drawer or top compartment
1/4" & 3/4 dr in a seperate compartment of the truck
ratchets, ext, and most used crows feet in a seperate drawer

home boxes are laid out the same way,but in slightly different drawer locations because of the size differences in boxes, and the amount of tools crammed into them.

 

[larry_g]

I almost never use metric, so all that stuff is separate and out of the way.

I'm with kirbot here. What you do with your tools will should dictiate how you arrange your tools. I worked industry where hex keys were the main tool I used and the top drawers of the box contained the tools to turn hex head fasteners. Now that I'm retired the hex keys are down low and the SAE tools are near the top. The metric stuff is in a drawer near the bottom. The machining tools are in their own boxes.

So how your mind works and what you work on should determine your arrangement of your tools boxes. Your tool box layout is also going to dictitate some of this also. I have old narrow boxes that require me to put sockets in one drawer and wrenches in another. Wrenches under 1 inch go in one drawer and those over 1" go in another.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[nw2571]

It all depends on how you organize your sockets. If they're on end, like with hansen trays, then you'll need a deep drawer for your sockets. It would be a waste of space to put your wrenches in a deep drawer.

Here's how I organize mine. Each line is a seperate drawer:
Metric wrenches
SAE wrenches
3/8" and 1/4" dr sockets and drive tools
1/2" dr sockets and drive tools

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

Combo wrenches are in separate drawers for SAE and metric. Sockets are all together in the wide drawer.

If I had a box with a few +50" wide drawers I would likely do it differently.

 

[trout]

sockets with sockets

I don't have enough drawers to do anything different.

 

[RLYoung]

I prefer to have the wrenches in different drawers. However, I have the sockets mixed in the same drawer with SAE to the left and Metric to the right. Drive tools in the middle. 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 all in separate 40" drawers. I often need to mix SAE and Metric sockets due to the equipment I work on.

 

[NJHandyGuy]

what ever works for you is best for you no 2 people work on the same thing or have the same style or thought process that being said i come from both schools of thought but have foudn it easy scokets with sockets wrenches with wrenches for me

 

[Red Green]

Combo wrenches are in separate drawers for SAE and metric. Sockets are all together in the wide drawer.

This is how I have them also.

I use Metric and SAE about the same amount.

 

[treasureseeker]

Metric and SAE wrenches in separate drawers. SAE sockets all on Hansen Socket Holders in one drawer and all the metrics sockets on Craftsman racks in the small side drawers. I almost never use SAE.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Get box split down the middle. SAE in the drawers on the left, metrics on the right. Same in the socket drawer...

 

[ihredo4]

Top drawer is 1/2" drive
next drawer is 3/8" drive
3rd drawer is 1/3" and boxed socket sets
4th pliers
5th Hammers, punchs, drifts, etc
6th SAE Wrenchs
7th Metric Wrenchs

 

[GDA]

Voted metric with metric but I have mine segregated by rollcabs. Up until I had alot of tools I kept them sockets with sockets and wrenches with wrenches... but now I have it separated by box.

I have two small KRA rollcabs so one is all metric and frequently used tools and the other is SAE and miscellaneous tools like grinders, drill bits, presses, slide hammers, snap ring pliers, brake tools and vacuum and fuel injection test kits etc.

 

[Rakuny]

none of the above.
I don't use any SAE stuff, though unfortunately I have a lot of SAE sockets, anyways I don't keep them in my box. I have the HF 13 drawer roll away, in the top extended drawer on the left side I have my 8 metric socket sets on ernst rails I have my impact sockets behind those they are harder to access but they don't get used as much. On the right side I have 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 torque wrench's and ratchets as well as a 1/2 breaker bar, then in the middle area I have all my socket extensions and adapters... in the next drawer down I have all my metric wrench's.

 

[Steevo]

I have separate drawers, one for metric wrenches and one for SAE wrenches, but my sockets are all in one place in the top of my box.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

wrenches are in seperate drawers. sockets are seperate in the same drawer.

 

[Thumper]

Metric in one rollaway........SAE in the other...... simple....

 

[StevenB]

Depends on your tool box. I keep my sockets in the same drawer, left side is metric & right side is sae. My 1/4",3/8",1/2", sae wrenches then metric wrenches get their own drawers.

 

[2oolhound]

I have 2 - 26" roller cabs with chests situated side by side. Metric is on the left and sae on the right.
Each box has sockets on the top, in 4 rows:
Back row left is 1/2" deep sockets; right is 3/8" deep sockets
3rd row left is 1/2" impact sockets; right is 3/8 flex and 8 point sockets
2nd row right is 1/2" 6 point short; right is 3/8" 6 point short
1st row right is 1/2" 12 point short; right is 3/8" 12 point short

This takes up the rear of the top open tray area of each box so in front of the sockets is 1/4" in 3 rows, deep; 6 point short and front row is 12 point short. The sae box has all the ratchets, speed handles and extensions in front of the socket rows since I mainly use sae. On the sides are the 3 rows of 1/4" running perpendicular along the sides as they don't take much room. On the opposite side are 3/8 drive torx, allen, and screw driver type bits also running perpendicular.

Of coarse the metric box has all the wrenches in drawers and the sae box has wrenches in drawers all together. My sae box has one drawer dedicated to British wrenches and sockets as I don't have as many so they all fit together in one drawer.

 

[speed bump]

Sockets are pretty much all together. I keep my metric wrenches in my main box and my imperial wrenches in my tool cart.

 

[demographic]

As I live in the UK and all my vehicles have metric bolts then the only use I have for SAE sockets is on a bit of threaded bar in various sizes to use as bearing pullers.

SAE sockets live with the threaded bar and washers.

I'm kind of into motorcycles but if I ever have to work on a Harley I have a box of matches which should sort any problem they have.

 

[davidj]

ive got wrenches with wrenches and sockets with sockets. metric on the left side of the drawers and standard on the right.

 

[MalibuLX3]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I think I'm going to go with wrenches with wrenches and sockets with sockets.

I can definitely see the advantage of metric with metric and standard with standard, however with the things I'm working on it would be much of an benefit.

Thanks for all the replies! Now I just need to shell out the money for the Ernst socket rails...

 

[MeentSS02]

Sockets with sockets, wrenches with wrenches for me. I have two separate drawers for my sockets - one for 6 point, one for 12 point. I use the Lisle magnetc trays for all of them, so the sockets get separated that way so it is easy to tell them apart just at a glance.

 

[neverenoughtools]

Metric wrenches in one drawer , metric sockets in another , same setup for sae

 

[TireTracks]

My sockets are together in the same case, My inch wrenches are in the top of my box, the Metrics ( i dont use them much) are in a different drawer.

 

[JC23]

I have one big drawer up top that spans two stacks of other drawers and all the SAE sockets, wrenches and drives are in there. Seperate drawer for SAE wrenches.

The metric stuff - sockets and wrenches - is in the bottom left drawer. I make sure to slam that drawer when I return a wrench or socket. Between string them in the bottom drawer and slaming it, I have to keep those pesky metrics in line...

 

[pfbz]

I used to have all my SAE stuff (wrenches, sockets, hex keys, etc) together in a single drawer, while I had two metric wrench drawers, one metric hex t-handle drawer, and one metric socket drawer (can you tell I use mostly metric?)

Now the SAE tools have been completely bumped out of the main box, needed the room for other tools used more frequently...

 

[blazsawgras]

yes i keep sae and metric separate. this saves alot of time.

 

[jhn9840]

Metric wrenches in one drawer , metric sockets in another , same setup for sae

Thats the way I do it as well.

jhn9840
John

 

[bmxr4life87]

Sockets are organized by drive size 1/4 and 3/8 in one drawer sae on one size metric on the other with ratchets and extensions in the middle 1/2 has another drawer with ratchets and extensions appropriatly there in sae wrenches in one drawer metric in another wrenches and ratcheting wrenches plus stubby or flarenut all seperated into 2 drawers its easiest that way

 

[moparmuscle88]

1/4 and 3/8 sockets go in one drawer, specialty sockets (torx, e torx, hex etc) go in another drawer

1/4 and 3/8 drive tools and extensions u joints are all in their own drawer

1/2 tools and sockets have their own deep drawer becasue i have way more than normal of them

wrenches have their own drawer too and you have to shake stuff around to get it closed

in all reality i need a bigger box to replace the 2 craftsman top and bottoms i have

 

[Gregg33]

My top box is only 26" and there aren't many deep drawers so I am limited in the arrangement. In the top shelf I keep sae and metric sockets of various sizes and styles all on rails. Metric in the back (I use them less) and sae in the front. For wrenches I do have a separate drawer for metric and for sae.

 

[muibubbles]

i only use metric... all my metric stuff is in my HF tool chest... all my standard stuff gets thrown in my "stanley" tool box from the walmart deal... i dont have a lot of standard stuff..

 

[rickairmedic]

I have a 14 drawer craftsman stack 26" . I have metric wrenches in one drawer and SAE in another drawer . The sockets are in seperate drawers but by drive size not Metric/SAE. I have 1/4" in one drawer 3/8" in the next one down and 1/2" in the next one down .

Rick