Strouty
Well-known member
We could have avoided all this drama if you had just removed them for the family picture.
Tooling (Re)Organization
- Thread starter lilscorpion
- Start date
Weirth It
Active member
Appreciate all of the work on sharing these photos.
OP
lilscorpion
Well-known member
Thanks! I’ve updated the first post ever on this thread with links to all of the project photo albums I’ve assembled over time (except the Jeep build ones). —> 'Tooling (Re)Organization'
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/tooling-re-organization.381487/
Trapps
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I know first hand what PITA the picture thing is. Thanks a ton, Matt!
tricksel
Member
Very, VERY nice! Thanks! It's very helpful to have all those good photo's in one location.
OP
lilscorpion
Well-known member
I've been wanting/needing to do something like this for a really long time. It was one of those things that just wasn't gonna do itself and now I just need to maintain it...
The links are also in my About in my Profile. Not sure if they can be clicked on or not tho
OP
lilscorpion
Well-known member
Next drawer to organize is my mini pliers drawer. This is how my Knipex have been living for some time now. Tragic, I know.
Made this plier organizer module that stores 4 nice and neat like.
5 or so back to back make up a drawer.
That’s more like it.
Made this plier organizer module that stores 4 nice and neat like.
5 or so back to back make up a drawer.
That’s more like it.
OP
lilscorpion
Well-known member
Here's another drawer I just got organized. Didn't do a good job taking before pics of course. This drawer holds all of my impacts, torque wrenches, and specialized sockets. Most of the time I now use electric impacts only moving to the pneumatic ones when I run across a bolt that's grumpy as hell.
In this drawer I made some dividers using aluminum angle and cut some reliefs in it so I could easily get at the grip of each of the tools but most importantly, these dividers force them to nest together as well as they could be.]
The lower foot retains the battery just right so that the ratchets can't slide up or down and instead, stay put.
Made some stubbier ones as well for the shorter ratches.
Dividers were also installed to keep the torque wrenches where they belong. Previously, when I remove one, the others shift around and before I could put the one I used away, I'd always have to reposition everything which was irritating.
Also pictured is more of the socket organizers which keep everything where it should be. Only thing left to figure out is how to organize the pile of extensions better. At some point I also need to fix the powder coating color of the two odd-ball trays but it's not really high on the list right now.
Thanks for following along.
In this drawer I made some dividers using aluminum angle and cut some reliefs in it so I could easily get at the grip of each of the tools but most importantly, these dividers force them to nest together as well as they could be.]
The lower foot retains the battery just right so that the ratchets can't slide up or down and instead, stay put.
Made some stubbier ones as well for the shorter ratches.
Dividers were also installed to keep the torque wrenches where they belong. Previously, when I remove one, the others shift around and before I could put the one I used away, I'd always have to reposition everything which was irritating.
Also pictured is more of the socket organizers which keep everything where it should be. Only thing left to figure out is how to organize the pile of extensions better. At some point I also need to fix the powder coating color of the two odd-ball trays but it's not really high on the list right now.
Thanks for following along.
250
Well-known member
Those drawers/organization look sharp. Going to have to go back up thread and read about the cabinets again.
MadeByMiller
Well-known member
Those plier racks and power tool organizers are gorgeous and very satisfying!
OP
lilscorpion
Well-known member
Thank you!
Yes, opening the drawer feels good and it's so nice when everything has a place. It makes it super easy to put everything away after using it and in doing so, things tend to stay more organized.
Bessy
Well-known member
OP
lilscorpion
Well-known member
Thank you.
These?
Those are Craftsman Low Profile Wrench Sockets that came as a freebie when I purchased my Craftsman reversible ratchet wrench sets back in the 90’s. They snap into any 12-point wrench on the box end and turn them into a low profile ratchets. Work sweet.
OP
lilscorpion
Well-known member
Thank you. Here’s a link to the benches photo album too if you’d like to just browse pics - https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0iGY8gBYGiaXu1
OP
lilscorpion
Well-known member
Got after organizing my filler rod today. Machinethese rod tube holders out of aluminum.
attached them to the side of the cart in the accessory location. So much easier to find the right rod on the first grab now and another thing not stacked in the corner. On the down side, the welder is heavier, no question. It was already a pig of a machine for its size.
attached them to the side of the cart in the accessory location. So much easier to find the right rod on the first grab now and another thing not stacked in the corner. On the down side, the welder is heavier, no question. It was already a pig of a machine for its size.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Love the TIG rod holders Matt. Those look fantastic. I too like having mine easily accessible on the machine vs. in a corner or on a shelf somewhere.
OP
lilscorpion
Well-known member
Got started on the Metric Craftsman USA wrench drawer this weekend. These will be Savanah Blue.
Unfortunately when this blue cures, it is a little darker. Still a really sharp blue.
Only a few to go but a good start none the less.
Unfortunately when this blue cures, it is a little darker. Still a really sharp blue.
Only a few to go but a good start none the less.
nadogail
Well-known member
Your work really looks nice.
I really appreciate the lengths at which you go to for organization. One of your initial posts talked about migration from cheap/budget solutions to more refined and expensive solutions! As I add more and more tools to the collection I have to constantly reorganize and shift things around as I am so tight on room. I haven't stepped up my game from the budget level yet as my garage is a like a transformer, but maybe once I have a dedicated shop that will/can change.
But it's a really good feeling for me to work efficiently, and a big part of that is being organized. Nice work!
But it's a really good feeling for me to work efficiently, and a big part of that is being organized. Nice work!
OP
lilscorpion
Well-known member
I have spent so much time wondering around the garage looking for a tool or a part I just had in my hands. The more I get organized, the less it happens now but somehow, I still end up with piles and parts still tend to find themselves into the wrong box, drawer, or shelf. I really think the only way I'll ever end up organized is if I have enough space to have isles and containers can be dedicated to a much more granular level. That said, expanding the shop space feels further and further away as the market here in Colorado keeps blowing up year over year so...I'll just keep organizing in an attempt to do the best with what I have. Who knows, maybe there is some moment in time where I'll be organized enough that I won't need more space.
.....Bawahahahaha! Yeah right.
LeonardY
Well-known member
Thanks for sharing. It's an inspiration. And thanks for putting all the pictures up. I spent some time looking at all of it.
It would be interesting to see your overall shop layout.
Well done!
It would be interesting to see your overall shop layout.
Well done!
OP
lilscorpion
Well-known member
that's something I've been asked for, and thought about doing, for a while now. I keep saying "once I get it organized"...thus the thread.
The shop is way smaller than most of you realize. its a 2 car wide garage with dual single 8' wide, 7' high doors and a 40" wide spacer between the two with only 12" on the side of either door. The right side is a tandem. I have a heap of **** packed in a fairly small format garage AND I store 2 cars in it usually too.
I'll try to do one soon. Probably about time.
Cruzan80
Well-known member
You mean like this one? Listed under a week! Just N of Main St, by the stables.
www.recolorado.com
Nestfully Consumer Portal Quickly Reaches Initial Launch Phase - REcolorado
Chino Hills, Calif., Greenwood Village, Colo. and Rockville, Md. — March 29, 2023 — Nestfully, a new industry initiative built for consumers and powered by brokers and...
www.recolorado.com
OP
lilscorpion
Well-known member
No, missed that one. We’ve been stalking Elkhorn Ranch out east. Put an offer in this weekend and lost the house. When they go into a bidding war $100k over asking and one of the buyers has cash I have to tap out…bummed tho. It was my dream house and shop.You mean like this one? Listed under a week! Just N of Main St, by the stables.
Nestfully Consumer Portal Quickly Reaches Initial Launch Phase - REcolorado
Chino Hills, Calif., Greenwood Village, Colo. and Rockville, Md. — March 29, 2023 — Nestfully, a new industry initiative built for consumers and powered by brokers and...
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LeonardY
Well-known member
Thanks for sharing.that's something I've been asked for, and thought about doing, for a while now. I keep saying "once I get it organized"...thus the thread.
The shop is way smaller than most of you realize. its a 2 car wide garage with dual single 8' wide, 7' high doors and a 40" wide spacer between the two with only 12" on the side of either door. The right side is a tandem. I have a heap of **** packed in a fairly small format garage AND I store 2 cars in it usually too.
I'll try to do one soon. Probably about time.
I'm in a similar boat. Just a two car garage and I keep my car in there as well.
I have almost the same amount of equipment and now 3D printers. It's a challenge.
I admire your ability to design and implement. Then document to boot. You've got a great many skills.
Your wrench racks inspired me to do a set myself. But I 3D printed them. I'm hoping to get a little more done soon. I won't clutter your thread with my stuff.
If your curious,
Uncle Lenny's house of toys and tools
New member. Great information and inspiration here. Posted a few times, Haven't properly introduced myself. I bought my house new in 1996. This is my first home and I did my best to setup the garage. Now, fifteen years later and lessons learned. I've redesigned and started rebuilding the...
www.garagejournal.com
I like the idea of organization. I was blessed with a near eidetic memory so I've relied on it. My lady friend doesn't have a great memory for where things are so she is pushing for a little more organization in the kitchen and the rest of the house.
You may be responsible for me traveling down the organization road.
csp
Well-known member
I've been wondering when that one would hit the market. Should have seen it six months ago. It hadn't been updated in probably 30 years, minimum. The older gentleman who lived there passed away and the family has done a ton of work to it. It's a beautiful property with great views. No shop though and the garage isn't that big. Our place is very close to it.You mean like this one? Listed under a week! Just N of Main St, by the stables.
Nestfully Consumer Portal Quickly Reaches Initial Launch Phase - REcolorado
Chino Hills, Calif., Greenwood Village, Colo. and Rockville, Md. — March 29, 2023 — Nestfully, a new industry initiative built for consumers and powered by brokers and...
OP
lilscorpion
Well-known member
Checked out your thread. Some good ideas in there and the wrench racks are sweet. Way less labor intensive and equally functional.Thanks for sharing.
I'm in a similar boat. Just a two car garage and I keep my car in there as well.
I have almost the same amount of equipment and now 3D printers. It's a challenge.
I admire your ability to design and implement. Then document to boot. You've got a great many skills.
Your wrench racks inspired me to do a set myself. But I 3D printed them. I'm hoping to get a little more done soon. I won't clutter your thread with my stuff.
If your curious,
Uncle Lenny's house of toys and tools
New member. Great information and inspiration here. Posted a few times, Haven't properly introduced myself. I bought my house new in 1996. This is my first home and I did my best to setup the garage. Now, fifteen years later and lessons learned. I've redesigned and started rebuilding the...
I like the idea of organization. I was blessed with a near eidetic memory so I've relied on it. My lady friend doesn't have a great memory for where things are so she is pushing for a little more organization in the kitchen and the rest of the house.
You may be responsible for me traveling down the organization road.
OP
lilscorpion
Well-known member
It’s a little more of same. None the less, closer to having the metric wrench drawer done.
Andrew S
Well-known member
And until today, I thought my wrench racks were complete... it's now obvious to me they need some color.
I laser cut these from 16 ga, if anyone would like the files I'm happy to share. Between the CNC machined, 3D printed, and sheet metal choices, there appears to be a good option available for everyone no matter their expertise.
I laser cut these from 16 ga, if anyone would like the files I'm happy to share. Between the CNC machined, 3D printed, and sheet metal choices, there appears to be a good option available for everyone no matter their expertise.
OP
lilscorpion
Well-known member
Bad ***!! Where you at? Tell me Denver and I’ll powder coat them for free if you come over…And until today, I thought my wrench racks were complete... it's now obvious to me they need some color.
I laser cut these from 16 ga, if anyone would like the files I'm happy to share. Between the CNC machined, 3D printed, and sheet metal choices, there appears to be a good option available for everyone no matter their expertise.
Andrew S
Well-known member
Thanks! I'm in Washington, probably not close enough to take you up on your generous offer. Here's the SAE drawer, which includes the "inspiration rack". This drawer needs a bit more work to reach your standards...
OP
lilscorpion
Well-known member
Sweet! Drawers take a lot of time to get fully organized. For me it’s kind of a hobby and I peck away at it. You’re off to a great startThanks! I'm in Washington, probably not close enough to take you up on your generous offer. Here's the SAE drawer, which includes the "inspiration rack". This drawer needs a bit more work to reach your standards...
Laser then press brake is the way to go. No fixturing, no welding, no trimming…
OP
lilscorpion
Well-known member
Metric flare wrenches now have a home.
good enough for now. I’ll come back to the wrench sockets at some point but it’s not a priority now.
good enough for now. I’ll come back to the wrench sockets at some point but it’s not a priority now.
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tricksel
Member
“Good enough for now.”
While letting everyone drool over this.
While letting everyone drool over this.
OP
lilscorpion
Well-known member
Ha! I'm broken. When I open that drawer, I see the hole, the one little socket rail that's missing...I see it as incomplete and unfinished. I'm actually saying "good enough for now" in an attempt to let my self off the hook for not staying up a few extra hours to finish and for not having plans to finish any time soon.“Good enough for now.”
While letting everyone drool over this.
Reality is I'll probably go into the drawer, see it missing, and completely stop working on whatever I'm doing to just knock it out. Well that's my pattern anyway.
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Cruzan80
Well-known member
Bet by next Mon, you have it made. 7 full days of it bugging you...
nicholam77
Well-known member
The wrench organizers look fantastic!
OP
lilscorpion
Well-known member
I messed up and posted my last organization post on my other thread. Check it out to catch up - https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/fabspace.425872/post-9472299
Quick recap: Wanted a more organized way to store my socket extensions and 4 FN 27's extension design found here gave me some ideas: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...ks-4-fn-27s-shop-projects.398490/post-9451042
My twist was to make small supports that would screw into an aluminum base plate.
which would screw into an aluminum base plate.
A completed organizer.
When spaced and setup correctly, a rack would support what I have in my drawer
The above were for the 3/8" extensions. Building these sets came with some learning moments. The supports were all the same so the design required that I store a pair of extensions the same length in each bracket which may have made sense with the 3/8" sets that I had, but made little to no sense for my 1/4" and 1/2" extensions where, in many cases, I only had one of most lengths. So back to the drawing board...
The new design would require me to make a single support for either end of the extensions which also means I'd need to make 2 different sizes to support both the female and the male end of an extension.
Fortunately, the previous design were easy to modify and adjust.
More work, but the end product will be more flexible than the first version.
Next the base plate this time needs to be more like swiss cheese than the previous version that had fixed locations for each of the supports. A mega-s**t ton of holes.
from there it's just figuring out what layout works with the individual sets I have.
Thanks for checkin' in!
Quick recap: Wanted a more organized way to store my socket extensions and 4 FN 27's extension design found here gave me some ideas: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...ks-4-fn-27s-shop-projects.398490/post-9451042
My twist was to make small supports that would screw into an aluminum base plate.
which would screw into an aluminum base plate.
A completed organizer.
When spaced and setup correctly, a rack would support what I have in my drawer
The above were for the 3/8" extensions. Building these sets came with some learning moments. The supports were all the same so the design required that I store a pair of extensions the same length in each bracket which may have made sense with the 3/8" sets that I had, but made little to no sense for my 1/4" and 1/2" extensions where, in many cases, I only had one of most lengths. So back to the drawing board...
The new design would require me to make a single support for either end of the extensions which also means I'd need to make 2 different sizes to support both the female and the male end of an extension.
Fortunately, the previous design were easy to modify and adjust.
More work, but the end product will be more flexible than the first version.
Next the base plate this time needs to be more like swiss cheese than the previous version that had fixed locations for each of the supports. A mega-s**t ton of holes.
from there it's just figuring out what layout works with the individual sets I have.
Thanks for checkin' in!
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
Sweet work as always!
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Awesome work as always Matt. Extension holders turned out amazing.