Tools in trays, help me with my list!

[JKennedy]

So I'm making a tool list for my wife for my birthday and Christmas but I am looking for stuff that comes in trays. The kind of trays I can put in my box that are fairly durable for storage. Like the blow molded kind. Tool trucks are out of the options here because none come by my shop and I do a lot of industrial stuff as well... So help me make my list for tools/brands I could get and if you have any insight on stuff with trays included (screwdrivers) it'd be even better! Thanks!! Jordan

 

[JKennedy]

any tool suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[durallymax]

Id make your own storage solutions instead of basing it just on what they come with. Most factory trays are bulky and flimsy anyways.

I use both Ernst and snap on wrench racks. The Ernst ones are made for the size of the wrench the snap on are not. Both have their advantage.

I use the plastic socket rails that every body and their brother rebrands and sells for my sockets.

Ernst makes some nice low profile screwdriver racks. I have a set of them. For the rest of my drivers I just plan to find some form of L or T shaped material (like drawer dividers) that I can stick to my drawers and cut slots in them for my drivers. Then it's setup the way I want it and tailored to my drivers, not at the mercy of a factory tray. Some people feel the best organization for screwdrivers is a full drawer lol.

You can also get drawer dividers for little parts.

As I mentioned in the Knipex thread, just laying pliers out and tight works best for me, let's you fit a lot of them in. I suggest shadowing them though if you can.

Plastic socket rails. I had been using factory storage for a lot of them and Hansen trays in the big drawer. I was able to get back two drawers and still have extra space by ditching the OEM storage.

Here's an example of how much space the factory cases can take up. These are all in my top drawer now and I have room for more tools.

Wrenches as I was part way through reorganizing. The wrench racks keep the wenches very tight to save on space and allow you to set things up however you want. I put some acrylic foam tape on the base of them to keep them in place.

Ernst low pro screwdriver rails.

My pliers solution is low tech, just fill the drawer lol. When I swap the liner for the pig mat adhesive liner I'm using in my other drawers I will shadow the pliers so I can tell if one is missing.

With all of that said, I do realize it takes more work and time to do it my way. I go for maximum tools per square inch, others do not. Some factory cases are not bad. I certainly wouldn't miss out on a deal or higher quality tool just because of the case though but that is just my own opinion. Worth what you paid for it lol.

 

[youngridge]

Plus one durallymax, ernst wrench racks are the way to go, torx and allen on a magbetic rail work awesome, nesco makes real good ones, along with the lowes. Nesco is just a tad bit higher quality IMO. Anything that can be stored vertically will save you room. Sockets, wrenches, pliers, etc. As long as you got deep enough drawers.

 

[JKennedy]

Id make your own storage solutions instead of basing it just on what they come with. Most factory trays are bulky and flimsy anyways.

I use both Ernst and snap on wrench racks. The Ernst ones are made for the size of the wrench the snap on are not. Both have their advantage.

I use the plastic socket rails that every body and their brother rebrands and sells for my sockets.

Ernst makes some nice low profile screwdriver racks. I have a set of them. For the rest of my drivers I just plan to find some form of L or T shaped material (like drawer dividers) that I can stick to my drawers and cut slots in them for my drivers. Then it's setup the way I want it and tailored to my drivers, not at the mercy of a factory tray. Some people feel the best organization for screwdrivers is a full drawer lol.

You can also get drawer dividers for little parts.

As I mentioned in the Knipex thread, just laying pliers out and tight works best for me, let's you fit a lot of them in. I suggest shadowing them though if you can.

Plastic socket rails. I had been using factory storage for a lot of them and Hansen trays in the big drawer. I was able to get back two drawers and still have extra space by ditching the OEM storage.

Here's an example of how much space the factory cases can take up. These are all in my top drawer now and I have room for more tools.

Wrenches as I was part way through reorganizing. The wrench racks keep the wenches very tight to save on space and allow you to set things up however you want. I put some acrylic foam tape on the base of them to keep them in place.

Ernst low pro screwdriver rails.

My pliers solution is low tech, just fill the drawer lol. When I swap the liner for the pig mat adhesive liner I'm using in my other drawers I will shadow the pliers so I can tell if one is missing.

With all of that said, I do realize it takes more work and time to do it my way. I go for maximum tools per square inch, others do not. Some factory cases are not bad. I certainly wouldn't miss out on a deal or higher quality tool just because of the case though but that is just my own opinion. Worth what you paid for it lol.

What brands would you recommend? other than truck brands...
I currently have mainly craftsman, SK, gearwrench, klein, and channellock, but I will definitely branch out.

So far my list consists of PROTO stuff off of ZORO

 

[JKennedy]

Plus one durallymax, ernst wrench racks are the way to go, torx and allen on a magbetic rail work awesome, nesco makes real good ones, along with the lowes. Nesco is just a tad bit higher quality IMO. Anything that can be stored vertically will save you room. Sockets, wrenches, pliers, etc. As long as you got deep enough drawers.

I'm trying to get stuff for my 2 half drawer Matco cart

 

[durallymax]

What brands would you recommend? other than truck brands...
I currently have mainly craftsman, SK, gearwrench, klein, and channellock, but I will definitely branch out.

So far my list consists of PROTO stuff off of ZORO

I don't have many truck brand tools really. I have a set of snap on wrenches and like them. All the rest of my wrenches are gear wrench and my angle wrenches that I don't use often are tekton.

I have matco ratchets but the sockets and extensions are craftsman, duracraft, Carlyle, etc.

Knipex and Wiha are two of my favorites. Wiha microfinish drivers are very nice and everybody needs some Knipex Cobras.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Buying tools based upon the tray they come is is like hiring a ****** based upon thier IQ or buying tires bsed upon how much they weigh.

It's the tail wagging the dog.

Outside of truck brands, not a lot of tools come in trays that are durable for daily use unless they come as part of a set in a blow moulded case.

If me, I;d take a different approach of organization.

 

[bcradio]

Your toolbox is the tray... why do you want storage inside of storage?

 

[JKennedy]

Buying tools based upon the tray they come is is like hiring a ****** based upon thier IQ or buying tires bsed upon how much they weigh.

It's the tail wagging the dog.

Outside of truck brands, not a lot of tools come in trays that are durable for daily use unless they come as part of a set in a blow moulded case.

If me, I;d take a different approach of organization.

Ok maybe my OP was misleading... I'm just curious about the trays. I'm not basing my purchases on them. The real point of this is to help me build a list of tools I should put on my Christmas and birthday list for the wife.

 

[Syntax_Error]

You could always get on ebay and look for tool truck trays for your tools lots of people hate them and throw them out or sell them.

 

[FMC1959]

Tell your wife you want this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/JP-Hazet-As...1587822975&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr

Tools, trays and chest, everything fits perfectly

 

[FMC1959]

Here's an example of how much space the factory cases can take up. These are all in my top drawer now and I have room for more tools.

If I was a pro working 40+ hours a week wrenching, your first pic is great. You would know where everything thing is with your eyes closed and you avoid having to constantly open different drawers, very nice efficient use of space.

Being the weekend DIYer (and ****), I prefer your other pic above with the nice clean trays. Yes, takes more room but for me, easier to find things and I don't mind opening other drawers (also a reason for another tool chest )

I bought these Gray drivers and they came in these trays. A bit flimsy for pro use, but for my needs work great. BTW, these are awesome drivers, great feel and solid.

 

[durallymax]

If I add another chest I don't think I'd be able to roll my box around anymore. Just put a Hutch and locker on it. Locker added a lot of bulk storage room. I'd maybe add a bulk storage overhead or another locker but I want to keep it semi portable and will not give up my work space and convenience of being able to just lock all my junk up in the workstation at night. So I have to reduce space my tools take up. I agree that some of my organization is hard for others to follow which I kind of like, they don't need to use my tools.

I will say that after I got my socket drawer done I lost interest in a KRL1033. Used to love those boxes but after feeling how heavy this drawer is I would hate to open that big one on a 1033 many times per day.