Tool organization within box(es)...

[809]

So, I don't have a lot of tools (comparatively) but my collection has grown from a small ammo can to multiple medium sized totes over the last few years.

I'm trying to get a handle on things and trying to organize them in ways that make sense.

I could organize them by the "thing" that I'm working on. So, there'd be a section/box for wood, another for metal, another for electrical, etc. The circ saw would go in the woodwork box, the angle grinder would go in the metalworking box, the multimeter would go in the electrical box. This would save me from digging through multiple sections to retrieve something.

But, I could also organize them by "function of the tool". So, there'd be a section for measuring/diagnostics (tape measure, level, multmeter, obd2 scanner), another for fastening (screwdrivers, wrenches, sockets), another for cutting/filing (all kinds of saws, files, cutters), another for material handling (clamps), and so on.

The second would work if I didn't want multiples of something. E.g. I need a tape measure for both wood working and metal work. So, do I just buy one and transfer as needed, or buy two so there is one in each box, or buy one and keep it in the "measuring" section. I could just buy two $5 tape measures. But, the tape measure I find works best costs $20. So, do I spend the extra money to buy another favorite tape measure, or save that money and put it towards I tool I don't have?

It doesn't help that I overthink things sometimes.

I should mention that I am by no means a tradesman or even a PRO-sumer. I'm buying my tool collection so that I can be more self-reliant. That is my primary long-term goal. And I'm still in the stage of buying tools, where 25% of the time, after buying the tool, within 6-12 months I think to myself "did I really need that tool." If I sell that tool to, 25% of the time, I end up needing that tool again within a 12-24 month period.

ALSO, I don't have the luxury of wall hanging my tools (pegboards, french cleat, etc). The tools have to live in boxes that have to be closed after the work is done.

 

[iamhomeless]

A lot of this is going to depend on your primary work space and how often you can bring your work to the tools vs bring the tools to the work.

Organizing by type of tool works great if you are doing the majority of your work where you keep the tools. But can also become cluttered when you have claw hammers in your way because you need a ball peen to reshape the mower deck.

Organizing by type of job ends up with a bit more waisted space, but let's you specialize the individual tool a bit more for each kit. It's also a lot faster and easier to go to one place and put together a bag to do a specific job on the other side of the property instead of having to sort through multiple boxes to pull out what you need. And as you find yourself doing the same job over and over you can keep a dedicated set of tools for that one job.

 

[tyyost]

In my situation I have many purpose built boxes, each with a 8-1 Klein screwdriver, claw hammer, and tape measure but like you I didn’t always have the scratch for duplicates.

What I did was keep a box for every job, and then specialized kits that were just those tools. There is a thread about a 90% tool box, and that is the mindset I used to use. For me, 90% of home improvement meant cordless drill, bits and drivers, pliers, Chanelocks, tape measure, razor knife and blades, torpedo level, hammer, nail sets, 3/4” chisel, prybar, speed square, 12” combo square, pencils, sharpie, block plane, chalk line, some masons string, and a few things I’m probably forgetting. At that time some special boxes were just milk crates, like drywall tools were a crate with a pan, some knives, tape. Electrical may have been a bag or pouch with the meter, dykes, linesmans, strippers, and nut-drivers.

You may want to consider that hand tools have most of the overlap, not much use for your circular saw when you are tuning up the lawnmower, or the right angle drill when patching a hole in drywall. The more specialized the tools are the more I would store them separately, in there own box or with similar trade tools.

I have found a mechanics style tool chest let’s me think strategically- drawers for tool type, screwdrivers, nut drivers, etc in a drawer, but if you are working in traveling boxes and totes that would just be cumbersome.

 

[rancherbill]

I have more tool boxes that you can shake a stick at, but if I was at your stage this is what I'd do.

I'd get a tote like you have or a tool bucket. I still use my bucket most of the time. It's portable and it contains the tools that are most needed. I do Homeowner, outside stuff and some automotive stuff from the bucket. I have a set of universal sockets and for minor repairs thats all you need. The rest of your stuff I'd organize by function like electrical or automotive. Grab your bucket / tote and a specific automotive tote.

 

[silkman]

I'm in the same position as the OP. Live in a flat, tools have to be closed after work is done and don't have a garage of my own.

First I've separated two functions, car work and general DIY, the two are mostly separate and if there are some common tools I have doubles. I've put the good pliers / cutters / Knipex stuff in the DIY box and my old pliers go in the car box. I have good impact screwdrivers sets for both.

Some seldom used stuff (silicone gun, 1.5kgr sledge, electrical conduit snake, air blower, soldering bag and accessories etc) go in my old Stanley toolcase so not to carry around a very heavy toolcase and taken out when needed.

I use Dewalt toughsystem cases that stack.

The 3 are never carried together. From top to bottom: Dewalt drill and 1/4" impact set and case, DIY box open tote, bottom wheeled car box (heavy)


The DIY box. Now re your question about organizing in sections: I only had to split this into 2 sections; for this you can use 6mm balsa wood that slides in the grooves in the box. Didn't need more partitions but more are doable. Left side is for pliers and screwdrivers only, the right bigger section has all the rest. This tote can become heavy really quickly before its full so thought is needed to put what you need most of the time (thats why sledge is left out).



When I work in the car I most usually grab the wheeled car box and the dewalt impact with a battery that fits inside it, otherwise I carry the drill too stacked on top.

I also have two more cases (not dewalt), one has an SDS impact heavy duty drill and an extra small 12v drill that too are carried when / if needed.

 

[vavet]

There are times when having multiples of a tool and keeping one in each box is the right answer. Think about the alternative. You forget to move that tape measure and get to the job site without one. Now you have to improvise, borrow, or go out and buy one. That costs you a bunch of time. Just keep an extra tape measure in that box.

 

[legenddc]

I have a tool bag that has the most common things in it that I'll carry somewhere around the house if I'm doing something. It's got screwdrivers, pliers, stud finder, voltage tester, razor blades, prybar, hammer, tape measure, pencils, etc. I bought a big enough one that there's room for me to throw in a drill and most other things I might need. Extra, special use tools are stored in the room with the rest of the things.

I also have a number of small plastic shoeboxes (Sterilite 6 qt.) designated to specific tasks. One is for drywall and has putty knives, drywall sponges, etc. One is electrical that has testers, multi-meter, wire nuts, wire strippers, etc. Some of them are getting pretty packed so I might upgrade the size.

If money was no object I would have a nicer storage like the ones from Milwaukee or Dewalt but this is working.

 

[John McA]

A pair of new clean canvass riggers bags are handy to have. Load one up for the job to be done. Go to work at the task. When you forgot a tool or need a few more items, load up the next bag. At the end of the job unload the bags. Rinse, wash, repeat.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QQL2GEU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Good Luck,
John McA

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I organize by style and intended use.

For instance, all mechanical measuring tools can be in one place per your example. Tape measure, torque wrenches, plumb bob, etc.

But an obd2 reader or meter are electrical measurement tools. The former being exclusively for obd2 compliant passenger vehicles. Meter, I can see that going either way. But IMO the code reader is a different intended use.

At some point, you organize for space, and just remember the stuff that doesn't quite fit with its neighbors and where it is.

 

[kbeefy]

I like to separate by job, then organize by tool type.
I realize you probably don't have as much room, but this method can be scaled to available space.
I have some duplicates to save time hunting for stuff.

All woodworking tools are in one place (in my situation, a second attached garage).
That shop has it's own tape measure and PPE.

All home electrical (AC) and plumbing tools and supplies live in a storeroom adjacent to the woodshop.

My 'shop' has all my automotive and metal working tools. This shop also has it's own measuring tape(s) and PPE.
One toolbox is all DC electrical tools and supplies. The wall and cabinet above it is full of spools of wire.
The toolbox next to that is diagnostic tools with a little overflow from the DC Electrical toolbox. Scantools, various test lights, power probe etc...
Most everything else is handtools, seperated and organized by type and size.

If I wind up doing a job outside of the area it's tools are stored in, I usually use a toolbag appropriately sized to the tools required.
I usually wind up with twice as many toolas as will fit the original bag, I should always start with the largest bag...

 

[oldschoolcraft]

I’m in the process of this but I’m looking at one bag for electrical work, one for drywall/light carpentry, and then general purpose tool box.

 

[GrayFlattop]

I pretty much have multiples. In the broad categories of stationary and mobile. Stationary tools are predominantly in an assortment of roller cabinets and top chests. Mobile is divided into Tools by categories: plumbing, masonry, tile, electrical, mechanical, automotive, etc. - then in Bosch lboxx - for cordless tools and the essential associated accessories. .

 

[oldschoolcraft]

One idea to deal with multiples. Have one 80% / 90% general purpose kit plus speciality kits. The GP kit has your 6 in 1 screwdriver, tape measure, common pliers, etc.

stuff you always will need whether you’re doing plumbing or drywall or whatever.

 

[subroc]

Sound like you have a bit of a mess on your hands. Truth is, no real easy way to clean it up.

I worked at a shipyard. Most of the work we did was remote. Every job we did we would tool up, fill a bag with tools for a particular job. I would keep a couple bags set up. One, would have small stuff in it for maybe Guage installation or making up a small flange. The other had larger stuff in it. Tooling up for bigger jobs with larger specialty tools, high- torque, boring bars, specialized machinery was another endeavor altogether. In the end some tool you wanted for a job now was in one of the many bags staged and prepared for some other job and required me to search for it. My point? if you are working out of bags and smaller boxes being effective is far more related to you remembering where something is rather than how you organize it. If you can grab the bag or box and know the thing you need is in it, all the rest is ****.