Tool sorting

[tasso]

Hi all, this is my first post here so here goes. My son wants to be a auto technician (mechanic), so I am renovating the garage and have bought all sorts of equipment etc. I have bought for him a 9 draw tool chest and various tools to put in. Here is the question, is there a rule of thumb regarding what tools go where in the chest or is all personal choice? He wants those tools there, I want them here etc. May be a silly question but if I dont ask I dont know.

 

[eschoendorff]

A lot of it is personal preference...

Your best bet is to check out this thread and look at all the pictures to get some ideas:


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=466

 

[Merkava_4]

Most guys will have a separate drawer for sockets and drive tools, a separate drawer for wrenches, a separate drawer for screwdrivers, a separate drawer for pliers, and so on.

 

[tasso]

I have been to that link, Show me your tools, man I am still drooling. They do have a common streak through them which is what prompted me the question.

Separate draw for each type of tool seems the way to go, means I'll be in the market for a mobile 7 draw tool cabinet.

Thanks guys.

 

[nissan_crawler]

All I can say is, go big the first time. I got laughed at for it at work when I started, by the guys that started at the same time. Then they had to sell their small boxes and get medium ones. Now they're stuck in their crammed medium ones, and my big box is doing fine still. Shop around for a deal on a big used box.

 

[dxdexter]

I is entirely personal preference and will depend on how much space you have. If you have a large box then you can usually separate the wrenches, screwdrivers, sockets, etc.

When I started, I had a six drawer, 27"x 12" box and I packed the tools neatly, but they were mixed. With a smaller box, some guys like to put all the socketry on the very top. This is good if the box and roller cab are short, but not so great if you have a tall box. You can also take advantage of removable trays so you can move the socket set to the work area.

The more space you have, the more you need. I would avoid using the trays that come with new tools, as most are space wasters. Get holders that better utilize space. Hansen trays are another space waster, but again a personal decision.

 

[tasso]

The tool chest I bought for him is the same size as the snap-on KRA4059PES 9 draws. He hasnt enough tools yet to fill this up yet. Just waiting on a sale to get the roller cab. He is still at school, so by the end of the year the garage should be well equiped. Then when he gets an apprenticeship he can get the big ones. My pocket only stretches so far. The other item I am tossing up is the use of HDFI, this will help him organise his tools etc, dont know yet I know it takes up more space.

 

[Kevin54]

Here is the question, is there a rule of thumb regarding what tools go where in the chest or is all personal choice?

Personal preference. Being a toolmaker and having a larger roll-a-round and larger top box I have certain tools in certain places. I brought in a smaller box to keep specialty cutters in because they are needed for special jobs and I just don't want anyone grabbing something not knowing what it is. I do loan my stuff out but know where it goes. So I rearranged some drawers. And this does get done once in awhile, when I get rid of something. After rearranging, one gets totally lost. You get used to where things are but after a period of time it may not be as handy as you thought. So if your son is going to be the one using them, (and they are his) then let him arrange them according to his needs. Maybe he would be left handed and you would be right handed, if that was the case, it really would make a difference as to which side some specialty tools were arranged in. But stand on the other side of the fence for a minute. What if he wanted your tools arranged to his needs....would you want that? When one gets a toolbox it then becomes something personal. So personal arrangerment is in order. If it gets handed down to someone, then it would then become their responsibility to arrange according to needs. I know it sounds lame, but a toolbox is really a personal item. I have seen toolmakers ready to fight because someone went "snooping" in their box.

 

[blaze_125]

Personal preference. Being a toolmaker and having a larger roll-a-round and larger top box I have certain tools in certain places. I brought in a smaller box to keep specialty cutters in because they are needed for special jobs and I just don't want anyone grabbing something not knowing what it is. I do loan my stuff out but know where it goes. So I rearranged some drawers. And this does get done once in awhile, when I get rid of something. After rearranging, one gets totally lost. You get used to where things are but after a period of time it may not be as handy as you thought. So if your son is going to be the one using them, (and they are his) then let him arrange them according to his needs. Maybe he would be left handed and you would be right handed, if that was the case, it really would make a difference as to which side some specialty tools were arranged in. But stand on the other side of the fence for a minute. What if he wanted your tools arranged to his needs....would you want that? When one gets a toolbox it then becomes something personal. So personal arrangerment is in order. If it gets handed down to someone, then it would then become their responsibility to arrange according to needs. I know it sounds lame, but a toolbox is really a personal item. I have seen toolmakers ready to fight because someone went "snooping" in their box.

I'm with Kevin on that.
Nothing worse than going in your own box and not finding your tool where it should be. I know it drives me nuts.

Let him organize the box if it's his, and make sure you put the tools back in where they were when you took them out.

And btw, it's very nice of you to support your son in such a way. I hope he appreciates it.

 

[dxdexter]

I'm with Kevin on that.
Nothing worse than going in your own box and not finding your tool where it should be. I know it drives me nuts.

Agreed , I can't even find the tools when I change the location myself. When its been in one place for so long and then you rearrange your box, you need to spend lots of time relearning the layout.

Give the boy the box and tools and he'll fill it the way he wishes.

 

[rsanter]

you want to put the most used tools where they are easiet to get for you. from there its all personal prefrence

bob

 

[GDA]

I just do some wrenching on weekends but learned from several posts by the pros on this forum that one should try to set up their box from top to bottom in "most likely" order of use. You will see lots of boxes set up with sockets and ratchets in same drawer so you can grab it all from one drawer. This common/related use approach really helped me set up my box. I put the least used stuff, pullers, presses etc in the bottom drawer.

 

[ToolmanTom]

As a Professional Mechanic for 15 years, I put the common used items at waist level and work up from there till full, then work down. of course if the tool dose not fit, put it in a close place to there that it will. also keep like items together, and like task tools together as well.
.02 cents paid in full.

 

[tasso]

Thanks for your comments. My son has read this thread and have agreed he shall place tools where he sees fit with the guidance of most used tools at waiste level. I am happy with that.

 

[lauver]

Tasso,

See the "Your Box Layout" thread; it's got many examples with good advice on organization. Note that there are some differences of opinion on how to approach tool box organization. I would also add that no organization lasts forever: You will change with experience and different jobs, or new projects at home. Your tool inventory will change after years of additions and losses. Your tastes and personal preference will change over time. After awhile, what used to work great, no longer works so well and you need an update (resort tools) or upgrade (new box). And any time you buy additional storage capacity, a tool resort is usually necessary.

 

[YotaJunky]

...
And btw, it's very nice of you to support your son in such a way. I hope he appreciates it.

Indeed. I certainly hope he appreciates it....

 

[Rusty67]

Just some advice... slightly off topic tho. When I was your son's age I had a bad habit of puting tools away dirty. My dad always got mad at me and I didn't understand why. The funny thing is, now I'm the one geting on HIS case for puting tools away dirty. It makes life so much esay if you keep your tools clean as well as organized =)

 

[ImportTuner]

Just some advice... slightly off topic tho. When I was your son's age I had a bad habit of puting tools away dirty. My dad always got mad at me and I didn't understand why. The funny thing is, now I'm the one geting on HIS case for puting tools away dirty. It makes life so much esay if you keep your tools clean as well as organized =)

I think we all did the same thing; I used to toss my dirty tools into a grey Craftsman's box and didn't think much of it; today every is cleaned and wiped down with WD40 after use .. lucky I don't wrench for a living ...

 

[caspian65]

Just some advice... slightly off topic tho. When I was your son's age I had a bad habit of puting tools away dirty. My dad always got mad at me and I didn't understand why. The funny thing is, now I'm the one geting on HIS case for puting tools away dirty. It makes life so much esay if you keep your tools clean as well as organized =)

+1

My tools are always cleaned before going back in the box. If I don't have time to clean them, they go into the top of the tool cart until I can clean them to go back into the main box.