What goes in what drawer? How do you decide?

[mad german]

Hi guys. I recent moved into a new house and in the process of setting up my garage. I went from having a 2.5 car garage all to myself to now sharing a 3 car garage with my new bride.

At my old place, I used a leg board to hang most of my tools (wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, etc.). Now I don't have the space to out up a huge pet board, so I bought a 44" wide roll around chest with a matching top box. I've got a numbe of drawers available to put my stuff, I'm just having a hard time deciding what to put in the top box and what goes in the bottom chest. I'm thinking that I should keep all of the main tools I use on a routine basis (wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, hammers, drill bits, etc.) in the upper box and the ones I use less frequently in the lower chest.

I'm definitely open to suggestions here, guys. I know to a certain degree it's personal preference. However, any tips, suggestions, etc. will be appreciated.

I'm in the process now of searching some of the threads for ideas. By the way, is there a thread of just toolbox pictures only that you could point me to?

Thanks in advance for the help guys!
Scott

 

[zkling]

Tall things in tall drawer, shallow things in shallow drawers, large sets in larger drawer, smaller sets in smaller drawers. After you work with it for a while you will see which setup works best for you.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=466

 

[rodsnratfinks]

This is something that will take some time to decide. You may just start putting things in drawers organized roughly by type of tool or type of work associated with that tool. Then, from there, you try to find a shallower drawer that will just fit your tallest tool in that category. Use the tools for a while and you will see what you are reaching for and where you would offer to each for it. A lot of guys with just a roll cab like their most used tools to be in the top drawers, but when a chest is involved, they often put their most used tools between waist and chest height and taper in both directions. That way, they aren't constantly reaching above their head for stuff they use a lot.

 

[lutter94]

Heavy stuff in bottom drawers, light stuff in top drawers.

 

[OxJaw]

A lot of guys with just a roll cab like their most used tools to be in the top drawers, but when a chest is involved, they often put their most used tools between waist and chest height and taper in both directions. That way, they aren't constantly reaching above their head for stuff they use a lot.

This is how I have my box arranged, and is what I was going to suggest.

 

[larry_g]

Being an old fat guy that does not like to bend over, I put the most used tools in the waist high and above drawers and the little used top or bottom drawers. Go to the big town they call it ergonomics. Here on the farm its just make it handy.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Here are some of my drawers shortly after I started getting organized. They have changed since.

 

[rockinacummins]

Sockets in deep drawers. That's the only place they have room to stand in the organizers I have (HF)

Then from there down in order of use: wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, punches, filter wrenches, impact sockets, impacts, 18v cordless. The cordless stuff had to go in the bottom deep drawer but I actually use it more often than most.

 

[Askme42]

I don't understand what's all over your walls that you can't do pegboard?

 

[franzdom]

Sockets in deep drawers. That's the only place they have room to stand in the organizers I have (HF)

Then from there down in order of use: wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, punches, filter wrenches, impact sockets, impacts, 18v cordless. The cordless stuff had to go in the bottom deep drawer but I actually use it more often than most.

This is exactly how I have a large (to me) roll cab set up, with hammers in the drawer under screwdrivers, and all sockets ratchets etc in the large top drawer.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

This is exactly how I have a large (to me) roll cab set up, with hammers in the drawer under screwdrivers, and all sockets ratchets etc in the large top drawer.

Mine goes:

Left bank
4" Sockets
2" Wrenches
2" Ratchets/extensions and drive tools
3" Cutting type pliers and vise grips
3" Large pliers and hammers
4" Automotive specialty

Right bank
4" air tools
2" screwdrivers
2" precision measurement and punches
2" electrician
3" construction measurement and angles
3" electronics diagnostic and soldering tools

Those drawers are the drawers that are in reach without leaning.
I put the wrenches in the drawer above the ratchets so that I could read the handles easily.

 

[Wizzard]

A lot of guys with just a roll cab like their most used tools to be in the top drawers, but when a chest is involved, they often put their most used tools between waist and chest height and taper in both directions. That way, they aren't constantly reaching above their head for stuff they use a lot.

This. In my roller all non-impact sockets and socket wrenches go in the first/top big drawer. Second drawer gets the SAE wrenches, third gets metric wrenches, then impact sockets...bottom big drawer is for air tools. The small side drawers I go in order of most used (screwdrivers, hex wrenches, pliers, etc).

My other roller gets all the other odd & end tools organized the same way...pullers, electrical tools, specialty tools, etc.

 

[astroracer]

Arrainge tools in drawers. Use them for a while. Rearrainge tools in drawers to better meet most used requirements. Use tools, rearrainge as needed... It can be an endless cycle if you want it to be.
Mark

 

[larry_g]

OP, What is in your tool box? Wrenches, screwdrivers, drill bits, drill motor, wood working stuff, metal working stuff, spare parts, nuts-bolts-screws to support all the household, reloading supplies, model making supplies, or a wide variety of other bits and pieces? Each of us has different skills, interests, and tools to support these interests. Most here would assume your a auto mechanic and the box will support this. But there many wide interests and each of our boxes will support our interests and needs.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[K-Dog]

It doesnt take long to decide, but it takes FOREVER to remember.

 

[nickelTwin]

I've got several different boxes for different hobbies. They are all set up different.

 

[CJM8515]

Heavy stuff in bottom drawers, light stuff in top drawers.

Pretty much how I do it. All the heavy stuff and boxed items go in the lower drawers. First real drawer is for my 3/8 and 1/4 sockets, then next is wrenches, and so forth. Most used tools are at waist level.

 

[MattVette89]

Check out the show off your toolbox thread. Lots of good ideas in there.

 

[regguy1]

Commonly used stuff in easy reach.

See full organization video here:

 

[justme-]

I originally set my box up at home to mimic my fathers stack simply to make it easier to open the correct drawer for what I wanted. Top chest top three drawers going down was pliers, screw drivers, wrenches. Small top chest drawer for allen keys, center top for misc (junk drawer).
now I do most used in the most convenient drawer - arm reach height providing the drawer is large enough to hold what I want. I've re organized my work box a couple fo times and still open the wrong drawer regularly.