Wrench storage

[GrantCee]

Let's hear the pros and cons - tool roll (or wrap, if you prefer) to wrench tray/rack for storage (in the drawer) and use (on the job.)

I've got both, and I'm annoyed at how quickly the plastic trays wear - the wrenches get loose very quickly. On the other hand, I'm annoyed at how inconvenient the rolls are.

Decisions, decisions...how did you make yours?

 

[shotgunfatcat]

Get metal wrench wracks?

 

[redman43]

This is my dilemma as well. The only metal wrench racks I've seen are at Harbor Freight. Could also use racks that grab the wrench between two pieces of foam, but I've never seen anything like that in a rack configuration, only in the "semi-permanent rail" flavor that sticks to the drawer bottom.

 

[GrantCee]

I've not seen any metal ones - only the plastic. How are the wrenches secured in the metal racks; if you turn it over, do the wrenches fall out? (That's what happens when the plastic ones wear.)

 

[HandyManny]

I simpley lay mine out in drawers in my tool chest. I just keep them separated by standard and metric.

 

[Monte]

foam ?

 

[kythri]

The Vim trays are metal.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HAYHH0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The shipping *****, but then again, so does ToolTopia, so it's to be expected.

 

[crewchief888]

i use metal wrench racks i bought from matco many years ago, also some MTS racks.
if you're looking for some type of locking or retainer type racks, these aint what you want.

 

[kythri]

This one is aluminum:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OCKJUA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[mrholeshot]

I have Plastic racks made by Protogo. Still kicking after 15 years of use.

http://www.autotoolworld.com/Protoco-3020-15-Piece-Red-Wrench-Rack-_p_111841.html

 

[GrantCee]

This one is aluminum:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OCKJUA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I saw these in my travels, but decided agains them. While I like the idea of magnetic holders, the reality of everything in the world sticking to them (metal shavings, odd washers, etc.) makes them substantially less appealing.

 

[GrantCee]

foam ?

Wow. At the price of those wrenches it shouldn't surprise me!

 

[GrantCee]

I have Plastic racks made by Protogo. Still kicking after 15 years of use.

http://www.autotoolworld.com/Protoco-3020-15-Piece-Red-Wrench-Rack-_p_111841.html

They don't lock the wrenches in place, do they?

The problem is that I often have to grab wrenches from the drawer and take them out to where I'm working - along with a bunch of other stuff. Things bounce around, and any storage solution that doesn't have a firm grasp of the items isn't going to work.

 

[Griff93]

I saw these in my travels, but decided agains them. While I like the idea of magnetic holders, the reality of everything in the world sticking to them (metal shavings, odd washers, etc.) makes them substantially less appealing.

They also don't seem to hold anything other than stubbies to well. Long wrenches fall off.

 

[Old Donn]

In the tool chest drawer, small to large, SAE and metric in separate chests. Roll-ups for the car/truck tool kits. Craftsman plastic holders for trips to my or someone else's garage, D-rings if they don't fit the plastics.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I like wrench rolls for their portability. At home, I have no issue with rolling them out on a bench, hanging them from hooks, etc. when I need to use those wrenches, verses another style, just left at home.

 

[pst496]

simple hand wrenches are the first thing grab for. I built this and attached it to the side of my tool chest. I still need to add the last three slots but you get the idea.

 

[whelenfan]

simple hand wrenches are the first thing grab for. I built this and attached it to the side of my tool chest. I still need to add the last three slots but you get the idea.

Very nice work.

 

[mdbeck1]

I use wrench rolls for my truck tool box and trays for the toolboxes. I use the tailgate or the top of the truck tool box to roll them out when work from the truck. The toolbox trays just save a ton of space. I had the wrenches layed out and all the wrenches took two drawers. With the racks they only take one.

 

[supertooljunkie]

I use Snap on KRA15A, or KRA22A, cut to length wrench holders for most of the wrenches in my boxes. I also have some Ernst racks. I have one metal rack, I bought so long ago, I don't know where I got it. I have racks that came with Gearwrench of C-man ratcheting wrenches. None of them hold worth much, especially the Snap on.
If I am going somewhere, I have sets of SAE and MM combo wrenches in wraps. I also have a set of ratcheting wrenches in SAE & MM in wraps, or rolls.
Both have their good and bad points.

 

[kythri]

I saw these in my travels, but decided agains them. While I like the idea of magnetic holders, the reality of everything in the world sticking to them (metal shavings, odd washers, etc.) makes them substantially less appealing.

Cool - wasn't familiar with them, but just saw them.

The Vim metal tray might work out? I was thinking about snagging a couple of those, but the shipping prices turn me off.

 

[spv]

simple hand wrenches are the first thing grab for. I built this and attached it to the side of my tool chest. I still need to add the last three slots but you get the idea.

That looks great. I have hit the same issue. I have 6 sets to hang and limited space. I like the 45 degree angle "hang" as it takes less space. I can see how one can do this based on your "hanger" design.

 

[Simplespeed]

This metal one from HF holds them in really tight. Its perfect for taking from your box around the shop. Mine is full and it will hold even the big wrenches in place with no problem at all.

http://www.harborfreight.com/professional-14-wrench-holder-4800.html

 

[Fubar]

Already posted this in other wrench threads, but what the hell...

First you start with a big drawer......

 

[Kevin54]

simple hand wrenches are the first thing grab for. I built this and attached it to the side of my tool chest. I still need to add the last three slots but you get the idea.

Looks like if you bump a wrench though it would drop out of the slot.

 

[mrholeshot]

They don't lock the wrenches in place, do they?

The problem is that I often have to grab wrenches from the drawer and take them out to where I'm working - along with a bunch of other stuff. Things bounce around, and any storage solution that doesn't have a firm grasp of the items isn't going to work.

For on the go Ive never used anything better than a wrench roll. Very secure although sometimes a pain to get the wrenches out of. Sears sell a decent roll that isn't sticky like most.

 

[mrholeshot]

They don't lock the wrenches in place, do they?

The problem is that I often have to grab wrenches from the drawer and take them out to where I'm working - along with a bunch of other stuff. Things bounce around, and any storage solution that doesn't have a firm grasp of the items isn't going to work.

There are so many styles of wrenches it would be almost impossible to cover every brand and have them secure.

 

[spv]

Here is one of my holders. This is clearly not going to work though, as I do not have the space to hang another 7 sets. Maybe the big drawer is the only way to go.. That said it would be great if someone sold some 45 offset hangers as they take up far less space than the vertical hang.

 

[jimexcursion]

Already posted this in other wrench threads, but what the hell...

First you start with a big drawer......

I've got a lot of wrenches but that's a shitload! Nice beer can.

 

[djb2]

I've got a lot of wrenches but that's a shitload! Nice beer can.

That's apparently a very specialized wrench, with it's own space in the drawer.

 

[jimexcursion]

That's apparently a very specialized wrench, with it's own space in the drawer.

Must be tough closing the drawer without spilling the beer.

 

[expatriated]

foam ?

Monte, that's awesome.

But shouldn't the foam have some sort of marking on it to indicate the wrench size? I guess you eventually learn which is which.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I have one of the Craftsman ones, and I personally prefer the brand they used to sell; Bucket Boss wrench roll. The material seems a lot tougher.

One more thing I forgot about and am now looking for (for one of my truck sets) are Carabiners rings. I saw them on several HVAC and refrigeration guys trucks I know and they would help organize them in my portable box.

 

[daveroy]

The beer can is there for scale and perspective... When I realize how many wrenches I still have to purchase, I need a beer to keep perspective!

 

[Monte]

Monte, that's awesome.

But shouldn't the foam have some sort of marking on it to indicate the wrench size? I guess you eventually learn which is which.

you´re right..... strange, the other foam inserts have a wrench size marking !?!?!?!?!?!?!

 

[Simplespeed]

Already posted this in other wrench threads, but what the hell...

First you start with a big drawer......

Your missing a couple here and there.

 

[Sick Puppy]

Here is one of my holders. This is clearly not going to work though, as I do not have the space to hang another 7 sets. Maybe the big drawer is the only way to go.. That said it would be great if someone sold some 45 offset hangers as they take up far less space than the vertical hang.

Dunno, depends on whether that is a wall or a cabinet- if it is the latter, you
could construct two wardrobe style rail, and then mount the wrench rail from both rails; put several sets of them on to it, and move them across to get access to the one you want.

This makes sense in my head, but does anyone get what I mean? I figure weight would be an issue- may need to construct a frame... but then a drawer would do the job just as well I guess!

 

[spv]

This makes sense in my head, but does anyone get what I mean? I figure weight would be an issue- may need to construct a frame... but then a drawer would do the job just as well I guess!

This set is out in the open. I have a wall cabinet directly above where they are hanging. I get your idea of a rail. I have been thinking pretty hard about this and come up with a solution. I am going to "mill" (with a drill press) a holder out of a piece of rectangle 1.6mm steel plate. There will be a full length internal rectangle cut at the rear to insert the spanners up through, then they will turn and slot forward down into a 45 degree cut that is wide enough for the shaft but not the wrench head. It might be hard to picture. Hopefully I will have it done sometime soon. If so I will post up some pics.

 

[Stephenw]

Don't those wrenches shift back and forth when you open and close the drawer? I'd have set them perpendicular to the direction of drawer movement.

 

[chief ben]

I have a lot of fine tool boxs, but this winter I came up with a better idea,
Well I think anyway, it started out slow, and i'm still adding to it from time to time,it is on wheels so I can move it around in the shop where ever I need it,
it has a 4 foot shop light on top and storage under it,
I have inch wrench & sockets on the Left side, and MM wrench & sockets on the Right side, and jerry Lea protects them with his Life