Toolbox style and organization

[69XR7]

Hi all,

I've finally outgrown my craftsman 26" box and upper chest combo. Rather than focus on brand first, I've been trying to decide between something in the 40" - 44" range with both top and bottom or just a 52" - 56" bottom. In my current set, I've tried to keep the tools that I use most at waist to chest level so I don't have to bend down to find things which is why I'm considering a combo.

Also, most of the boxes I see have a large drawer at the top and then a combination of wide/narrow below. How do you usually organize your tools in this style?

Do you keep metric in the same drawers with standard or use separate drawers?

Thanks for your input

 

[gdocktor3]

I'm going to say this is all preference. I prefer to have a top/bottom setup as space is valuable to me and I have more room to go up vs sideways. Also, I don't like bending down.

A lot of people prefer to use the large drawer for their socket sets as their is enough room to stand them up on the racks and fit ratchets, extensions, etc. Other's prefer to keep their long items in it like pry bars, breaker bars, etc.

As for the metric sae, I keep sockets in the same drawer, sae on right and metric on left type thing, but because I have sooo many wrench sets in each, I keep them in separate drawers. Regular, stubby, XL combination wrenches; stubby, xl, reversible and flex head ratcheting, flare wrenches, offset box wrenches, moon wrenches... Too many for one drawer. Some people also use the large top drawer for this purpose. Good luck

 

[countryroad82]

I had a 26" Craftsman stack such as yours. I'm what I call a pro hobbiest as I run a small business and work on my toys. I bought Snap On mainly because I wanted it and had the cash to burn (plus owning a business it's a write off). But were I just wanting to upgrade, look no further than the ubiquitous HF box. It's a lot of box for little cash, put a top on with a locker and you would be golden.

 

[grumpychevy]

If space allows a 52"-56" box then I'd look at those. Don't buy a close-out/clearance bottom box that you will not be able to find a matching top chest for and save your pennies to buy the top chest as soon as possible. It's better to have empty drawers for a while. The fact that you are on this forum pretty well says your not finished buying tools so at some point you will fill that new 52"-56" combo.

As far as drawer layout, I use my large drawer for both SAE and Mertric sockets as well as my ratchets, breaker bars, and extensions. I also put Metric wrenches in a separate drawer than SAE wrenches.

As a side note, if you plan on putting all of your sockets and ratchets in a wide drawer as well, then try to find a box that has double drawer slides on the large drawer. Weight becomes a primary concern as those drawers can hold a lot is sockets.

 

[PelicanPines]

Also consider depth. A 30" deep drawer vs your upper 12" depth ... huge difference. Even a 24" deep is freaking awesome.

 

[taumac]

I have a couple of 44's and in my automotive one I did things different. Instead of using top drawer for sockets I used top drawer for common use stuff like pry bar, flashlights, and other stuff. I them used one drawer for sockets, wrenches, extensions, and ratchets. I tried to separate them from left on right. Metric on the left and standard on the right.

 

[crewchief888]

"back in the day" i had all my sockets in the top compartment of my box, when i upgraded boxes, the top compartment was too tall. i started shuffling tools around, it took a while to get things sorted out.

i bought more tools, added more boxes and the process continued, but for the most part stuff stayed in approximately the same drawers. i went back out into a service truck, and my "master plan" went up in smoke.
everything got shuffled around again, and it took a while before i could even find the tools i was looking for.


everyone has something different, and somewhat unique set of tools. organization changes as tool needs/wants change.

personally most of the (less expensive) tool storage solutions dont work for me for "professional" use. my garage needs are vastly different than my work needs.

i think if i needed a garage storage solution for tools, and had a clean slate to work with, the HF 44" top/bottom, full size locker would be what i'd buy.
YMMV

i'm not a big fan of double/triple/quad bank boxes, i prefer multiple smaller 36" wide and under storage. for me it's easier to transport, if i need to, easier to make the boxes fit in the space i have available.
one dealer i worked at had such a small shop i was "allowed" approx 38" wide for my toolbox. wasnt easy trying to stuff 10 gal of **** into a 5 gal bucket

 

[TBrian]

Have you guys seen this?
Would love to have that kind of storage solution in my workshop!