Two tool box layout

[Oldgloryfirearms]

Ok guys i received my second 44 HF box for christmas to complete my work bench. I started to put tools away last night but kind of ran into a roadblock. I could decide on whether i wanted to separate the boxes into one standard and one metric or make one for sockets and wrenches and the other for pliers screwdrivers, etc. The pic below only shows one box but i have to bottom boxes and the top box in the picture is gone now. any help would be appreciated.

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[Jarhead0408]

Separating by metric and sae is going to be kind of a pain unless you find yourself using one or the other most of the time.

I definitely wouldn't make one for sockets/ratchets and the other for screwdrivers/pliers.

I would use whichever box is more convenient (or closer) to whatever vehicle you are working on for your main tools. Wrenches, ratchets/sockets, pliers etc. and use the second box for the tools used less often. I have two 40" boxes and that's how I use them.

 

[Oldgloryfirearms]

Separating by metric and sae is going to be kind of a pain unless you find yourself using one or the other most of the time.

I definitely wouldn't make one for sockets/ratchets and the other for screwdrivers/pliers.

I would use whichever box is more convenient (or closer) to whatever vehicle you are working on for your main tools. Wrenches, ratchets/sockets, pliers etc. and use the second box for the tools used less often. I have two 40" boxes and that's how I use them.

Thanks. I was hoping i would hear from someone who has a similar setup as mine.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Yessir, glad I could help.

My second box holds all of my specialty tools, diagnostic equipment, and whatever non-powered home owner type tools I have; i.e. electrical, plumbing, measuring, and light carpentry tools.

It's worked out fairly well so far. My most used tools are right at my fingertips while the homeowner stuff is protected and secured as well.

 

[semi42]

I could only recommend storing them in a way that works for you , annoyances will dictate the outcome

 

[Oldgloryfirearms]

I could only recommend storing them in a way that works for you , annoyances will dictate the outcome

i am sure i will end up moving stuff around multiple times but i was trying to find a good starting point,

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I have my most used tools in my main box, my craftsman stack has my diagnostic tools, files, pullers, etc.

 

[rockinacummins]

I have all my wrenches, sockets, electrical tools, pliers, screwdrivers, cordless tools, air tools and things like gloves and zip ties in my HF44. Mines on casters still so I can move it closer to where I'm working. Other tools I use less often such as battery charger, taps and dies, pipe wrenches, flaring tools, clutch alignment tools, bearing separators, hones, ring compressors and installers, valve spring compressors, etc. are all in my stationary top boxes in my tool room.

 

[taumac]

have all sockets in big top drawer in one. Metric on one side and standard on other. I only separated metric/ standard wrenches. I put tools in categories and started from top to bottom with frequent use.

 

[Agentwho]

It really comes down to what works best for you. I would say put your most used stuff in the top drawers and work your way down. You can always rearrange later after you get a feel for it.

 

[logikal]

The Left box contains all of the daily use tools, the right is organized buy job type and is filled with speciality tools. The cabinet to the right contains all the bulk test equipment and timing tools that came with a case. There is also a HF tool cart converted into a diganostic cabinet containing all the scan tools and Factory Diagnostic tools.

 

[Fedwrench]

It really depends on your likes. For me I have both mm & sae sockets in the wide drawer separated by drive tools/extensions.
I do have wrenches separated by drawers though, metric in the upper, then Sae. I would probably look at the two boxes as being one large box since they're next to each other. You could put frequently used test equipment and pry bars in the wide drawer of your right hand box, with pliers and screwdrivers the next two drawers down. That way your reach for first/most tools are in the upper drawers of your large box.

 

[Oldgloryfirearms]

Thanks for the suggestion guys I got alot done with it today. think i got it pretty nicely laid out. sockets took up the top drawer of the left box and i put impacts/ speciality sockets and prybars in the right top drawer. Screw drivers, wrenches, pliers went all in the left box. so far i think thats a good lay out but i am sure i will change it up as i go

 

[Outlawmws]

Separating by metric and sae is going to be kind of a pain unless you find yourself using one or the other most of the time.

I definitely wouldn't make one for sockets/ratchets and the other for screwdrivers/pliers.

I would use whichever box is more convenient (or closer) to whatever vehicle you are working on for your main tools. Wrenches, ratchets/sockets, pliers etc. and use the second box for the tools used less often. I have two 40" boxes and that's how I use them.

Definitely this. I know I tend to work such that my "main box" is handy for where I do the most work. I used to have it right next to my bench, but that was 20 ft further to walk most of the time. So I moved that box and setup one with "less used" tools in it, but these are more workbench class tools... I've also setup a couple of racks for hammers I use near the bench, as well as screwdrivers. in the future I'l rack up a set of combo wrenches there as well..

 

[Oldgloryfirearms]

Definitely this. I know I tend to work such that my "main box" is handy for where I do the most work. I used to have it right next to my bench, but that was 20 ft further to walk most of the time. So I moved that box and setup one with "less used" tools in it, but these are more workbench class tools... I've also setup a couple of racks for hammers I use near the bench, as well as screwdrivers. in the future I'l rack up a set of combo wrenches there as well..

I should mention that i have a service cart that i use to load tools up so i can have stuff at my fingertips if i am not close to my box. I still plan to put up my cabinets and some slatwall above my bench to hang other tools and such.