toolbox organization wisdom

[bad_idea]

recently i posted a thread asking everyone input on where to put my tools in my toolboxes. that netted a lot of comments along the lines of "put them where it works for you". i follow that consensus. i also received the following words of wisdom:

1. put the most used tools and heavy stuff at waist height
2. small hard to see stuff goes closer to chest height
3. make work stations for each different interest
4. separate the tools into hobbies

any other words of wisdom? i'm sorry to say these struck me as profound.
any other profound words? i'm still in process of organizing my tools.

 

[outcast]

i put the most used stuff towards the front of the drawers. that way i don't have to pull the drawer full open to get what i use most often.

 

[srmofo]

I group stuff together as much as possible with the most used tools in the most comfortable spot, usually just above waist.

The less used an item is, the lower it goes.

Keeping things grouped together is also important to me.
All of my "engine tools" are in the same drawer
All of my pullers are in the same drawer
all of my sockets in the same drawer, just below my drawer of ratchets and extensions
All of my pliers are in the same drawer
All of my electronic and diagnostic tools...used guessed it...in the same drawer.
etc

At my house the organization is not so great....it looks like my tool box exploded, there is **** everywhere...literally if its a flat surface, there is about a 90% chance there is a tool laying on it. Thats one of my goals for this winter. Pull everything together in the same spot, organize, sort and put away in groups.

 

[ibedayank]

look at the lets see youer tool box thread....

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=466&highlight=show+toolbox

 

[LWaite]

look at the lets see youer tool box thread....

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=466&highlight=show+toolbox[/

 

[outcast]

all of my sockets in the same drawer, just below my drawer of ratchets and extensions

i keep my ratchets and sockets in the same drawer* = if i use one, i NEED the other. i am not opening 2 drawers to make one setup.


*my 1/2" impact stuff, gun and all, are in one drawer. all 3/8 stuff, guns & ratchets, sockets, extensions, all in the top drawer

 

[cafyrman]

All great ideas. I'll incorporate some of them when I get my next toolbox.... one day.

You mentioned something about separating by hobby. I do a little of this. I have a plastic toolbox that's got everything I need for sprinkler repair in the yard. And another that's got most of my plumbing tools in it.

Stole the idea from a buddy who's a general. He has separate boxes for all kinds of stuff. He's got the finish carpentry box, the door hanging box, the cabinet box, the plumbing box, etc. He might have 5 of some particular bit -- one in each box, but when he's doing a job, he knows that everything he needs is in that box.

 

[nehog]

Here is what I have:

Top cabinet:

Top drawers (three wide for first two rows):

Allen wrenches | Metric box/open end | Punches, picks, etc.
Allen wrenches | 1/4" Socket sets | Drive bits, socket bits, etc.
Pliers
Open end/combo wrenches (misc not in sets)
3/8" Socket sets. (sockets, extensions, everything!)
1/2" Socket sets. (sockets, extensions, everything!)

Bottom cabinet:
Screwdrivers, flat tip to left, phillips to right, small towards front.
Air-tools and impact sockets
Special tools.
Special tools.
Electric tools (drills mostly)

All my tools that are sets are on perf board on the walls, only loose tools are in the tool box. One 4x8 for wrenches, one 4x8 for screw-drivers, drivers, and special tools, one 4x8 for hammers, saws and other similar tools.

My 3/4" socket set is in its own Snap-On box. I have a lot of other smaller boxes that I use too, and a few shelves for bigger power tools (skill saws, etc.)

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have a 5 drawer top box. Pliers/cutters, SAE wrenches, Metric wrenches, Screwdrivers, Hammers, etc.

The bottom drawer is deeper, but I need a deeper drawer for pliers/cutters !!

 

[tomtells]

recently i posted a thread asking everyone input on where to put my tools in my toolboxes. that netted a lot of comments along the lines of "put them where it works for you". i follow that consensus. i also received the following words of wisdom:

1. put the most used tools and heavy stuff at waist height
2. small hard to see stuff goes closer to chest height
3. make work stations for each different interest
4. separate the tools into hobbies

any other words of wisdom? i'm sorry to say these struck me as profound.
any other profound words? i'm still in process of organizing my tools.

Lot's of great organizational advice and examples in this forum. I especially appreciated the brief, concept summary in "toolbox organization wisdom" by Bad Idea. Thanks.

 

[LSU]

I've got two different garage work sites. One is at my home and one is at a job site where I run a business out of. I don't try and match the boxes but after a few years I see that I tend to do things the same way at both places.

I have a rolling tool chest at both places. 4 big drawers on the bottom and 4 narrower drawers on top. Both of mine came from Lowe's on close out. I got them as floor models and brought them home.

I put the Lowe's blue vinyl drawer liners in each of them. I find this keeps the tools from rolling around and make everything quieter.

Pretty much like folks have stated above, I've got a drawer of screw drivers, a drawer of wrenches, sockets in one drawer, big tools down in the bulk drawers on the bottom.

For my sockets I have those Lowe's plastic socket holders - the red one is for SAE and the grey one is for metric. I keep all the sockets in one drawer. I have assorted extra sockets I've had to buy for various jobs over the years and I keep these with them. For some reason I have a 2" craftsman socket that fits a 1/2" drive that looks brand new - no clue where it came from or why I have it. I think I've had it at least 25 years. Sucker looks like it came out of a box yesterday.

I keep the razor knives, tiny screwdriver's etc. in the top small drawers.

The best idea I ever did was buy a label maker from Office Depot with some yellow tape and label each drawer where stuff goes. is it Pretty? No. Does it look cute like the magnetic picture labels? not really but it is cheap and practical.

For some reason if I read where it is supposed to go, I put it back there.

Just my two cents woth but I love the labels where the tools go.

I've also got a Craftsman three drawer top that lives on one of my workbenches. Standard black and red one with the ball bearings. Not sure if it is USA made but the Lowe's brand stuff I have has worked great for many years.