Tool Distribution

[tez929rr]

When we bought our home (30 years ago), it had a detached garage where we kept the bikes and one car (the rest were outside). So I had my tool chest and all tools except for the handful in the kitchen junk drawer in the one garage. About 10 years later we built a big shop where the bikes, tractor, and some of the cars went. After the first few times schlepping tools back and forth I bought another (bigger) tool chest for the shop. Then we built another steel building and finished out the inside with an apartment. During that process I moved enough tools over that I finally bought a tool cart (the HF 5 drawer) and outfitted it with sort of a minimalist set for that building - heavier on plumbing and carpenter tools than mechanics tools. And then I bought a small roller chest for the shop as it was easier than moving around the big chest for some vehicle jobs. So including the kitchen junk drawer tools I now have 5 separate sets. (I’m not going to count the gratuitous sets in vehicles and motorcycle bags - that’s a whole nother thread). Since I am on GJ I rarely move a tool between sets but of course buy another one. Or two or three.

My motorcycle riding buddy up the road was a pro mechanic and amateur racer for years and has an amazing set of tools. On the rare occasion he needs to borrow something from me I rejoice in that I actually had something that he didn’t.

 

[kbuhagiar]

Been there & done that before retirement, when we had multiple garages. No matter how much I tried to mindfully distribute the tools, there was always something I needed in one of the other garages. Usually on a cold rainy day, lol. After we moved into our forever home, with one large garage, it felt great to consolidate everything into one location and pare down all of the spares. I took all of the surplus and donated a lot of it but also created a 'loaner' box for when friends or relatives want to borrow my tools.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

I generally take the job to the tools when at all possible. I have a compact but very versatile set in a box in my truck, a small box on the tractor and ATV, a few in the house, but the vast majority in a single box in my shop.