Toolbox Widget

Posted by 141drew Posted onOct 18, 2018 at 6:08 AM and filed under Reviews & Features
Updated onUpdated on May 20, 2021 at 6:25 PM

I got an email inquiring about advertising the other day from the makers of something called the Toolbox widget. Ever appreciative of the support, I decided to feature their product today. I haven’t gotten my hands on a set of these things yet, but they actually look pretty damned smart.

Essentially, they are modular organizers for your wrenches. A magnet holds them tight to your box drawers and clips hold them together as a unit or you can use them individually as your needs vary. There’s even a little label holder for those of you with OCD.

In any case, they come in sets of 14 for about $20. Not too bad…

More details here.

See Comments on the forum.
View thread (55 replies)
C

casmurbax

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 25, 2012
Messages
2,756
Location
Wilton, NY
Stuart in MN said:
I think someone posted about that product recently, it looks interesting.
Click to expand...


they were mentioned here:
fos373 said:
I picked up a couple of sets of the Toolbox widget https://toolboxwidget.com

Work very well. Magnets are strong, but not too strong and they are modular - can add enough spaces for the wrenches you have.
Click to expand...

I bookmarked them for possible purchase down the road from the earlier thread. Now that they advertise here I will look into them more.
 
M

Mechtech

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 13, 2011
Messages
236
Look interesting but I'll wait until the size labels are available to make a decision on purchasing.
 
M

Matt M PA

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 21, 2008
Messages
3,174
Location
SE PA
Mechtech said:
Look interesting but I'll wait until the size labels are available to make a decision on purchasing.
Click to expand...

I agree....surprised they are being marketed without. I'm also thinking that if the labels are another added cost...I'm out.

They look great...but they're certainly not cheap...
 
S

stsmytherie

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 16, 2005
Messages
171
Location
VT
I was eyeing these the other day, perhaps due to that post by fos373. Definitely something I could see using. Couple more positive reviews by GJers my tip me over the edge.
 
M

moparfreak

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 24, 2005
Messages
853
Location
Milwaukee, WI
These are a neat little plug'n'play solution, but I got a similar idea from other GJers that accomplishes the same thing already that is way cheaper....all it takes is a single roll of 12g solid core insulated wire and a broom handle or dowel, and it could probably organize 200 wrenches if you have 'em. I'll spend my $20 on beer. :beer:

y4mKKRlACzjnIMg_V8lVi4N2ggESYratVIt0-TsubpxcuRH6PJe6wkJfq_fhXvr1BBKDi-rmfUG7n-k3woHLRigGZwdpgERT8hjSh4dPCB-GJNcyF1hTunOPy7CJEl-pJbMIuPQLXLUBWlXW19oK13LcNOEBLInXS4FEKPzYKGCN5rLPx24oOqVcWjJhUGGdima12CVNd7Pdvuxb00vLEleEA
 
S

SuperCat

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 6, 2012
Messages
1,100
Location
Sacramento, CA
I saw these on Amazon recently and I like the modular style of construction, because I seem to still be buying more wrenches. However, they don't conserve space in the toolbox, the wrenches are spaced too far apart for my tastes. The best wrench holder I have seen for the price and for saving space is the homemade wire springs made from 12 gauge wire like moparfreak post #10.
I would like to see reviews based on using this wrench rack, so I am looking forward to seeing what GJ has to say about these. :thumbup:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H6FJY9D/?tag=atomicindus08-20
 

Attachments

  • toolbox_widget - Copy.jpg
    toolbox_widget - Copy.jpg
    100.5 KB · Views: 168
B

bimmer1980

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 5, 2009
Messages
2,103
Location
York, PA
Neat product.... I would think that if they had a small size and large size (gap spacing) that could interlock would also save some space for smaller wrenches.

Having the gap size for large wrenches makes sense, but takes up more space for smaller wrenches that don't need it....

I will admit, I like the idea of the coiled wire... I might have to try that. I have a fair bit of scraps of wire left over from my garage wiring project...
 
S

Stuart in MN

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 8, 2005
Messages
23,009
Location
Minneapolis
SuperCat said:
However, they don't conserve space in the toolbox, the wrenches are spaced too far apart for my tastes.
Click to expand...



Wanting to conserve space is a valid concern, but on the other hand having them spaced further apart will make them easier to grab out of the drawer and put back in.
 
A

Arkansas COB

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 15, 2015
Messages
2,907
Location
Arkansas
moparfreak said:
These are a neat little plug'n'play solution, but I got a similar idea from other GJers that accomplishes the same thing already that is way cheaper....all it takes is a single roll of 12g solid core insulated wire and a broom handle or dowel, and it could probably organize 200 wrenches if you have 'em. I'll spend my $20 on beer. :beer:

y4mKKRlACzjnIMg_V8lVi4N2ggESYratVIt0-TsubpxcuRH6PJe6wkJfq_fhXvr1BBKDi-rmfUG7n-k3woHLRigGZwdpgERT8hjSh4dPCB-GJNcyF1hTunOPy7CJEl-pJbMIuPQLXLUBWlXW19oK13LcNOEBLInXS4FEKPzYKGCN5rLPx24oOqVcWjJhUGGdima12CVNd7Pdvuxb00vLEleEA
Click to expand...


What is this home made organizer you refer to ? Cant see your pic if that's it. Did a search for wrench organizers but after 11 pages I got frustrated.


Thanks
COB
 
R

rlitman

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 18, 2010
Messages
24,581
Location
Long Island
Stuart in MN said:
Wanting to conserve space is a valid concern, but on the other hand having them spaced further apart will make them easier to grab out of the drawer and put back in.
Click to expand...

I use one of these for my combination wrenches, and while every wrench is spooning with its neighbors, I don't have any issues picking one out with gloved hands:

918fecJVVOL._AC_UL300_SR300,222_.jpg


I'd love something that could store my line wrenches and ratcheting sets as compactly.

While a magnetic modular wrench organizer sounds like a good idea, aside from the spacing, the other issue I'd have is with the magnets. How well do they work over a drawer liner?
 
Last edited:
R

RPH

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 17, 2006
Messages
4,190
Location
Michigan Thumb
Ordered two sets to try out. Been trying to get things organized and this may be the easiest way to accomplish the wrenches. Like the magnetic part.
 
Y

yaidunno

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 10, 2011
Messages
1,336
Location
WI
Neat, but i'll stick with my Ernst Wrench Rails. 40 spots for 12.99 vs 14 spots for 19.99 on the widget. I do like the modular design, and the ability to add more to the stack. A bit too many un needed features that add to the cost, IMO. Props to them for bringing it to market though. I'm sure it will suit the needs of some folks very well.

attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20180131_174111.jpg
    IMG_20180131_174111.jpg
    88.2 KB · Views: 2,414
M

moparfreak

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 24, 2005
Messages
853
Location
Milwaukee, WI
Arkansas COB said:
What is this home made organizer you refer to ? Cant see your pic if that's it. Did a search for wrench organizers but after 11 pages I got frustrated.


Thanks
COB
Click to expand...

COB,

I just tried the picture as an attachment, maybe that will work.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_9734.jpg
    IMG_9734.jpg
    154.3 KB · Views: 187
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
F

Firebrick43

Well-known member
Joined
May 12, 2015
Messages
13,992
Location
West central Indiana
Well I played with mine this morning and they are simply ok and less so for the price.

They feel flimsy out of the box but when you place them on metal the stiffen up and a quite solid.

Here is a 7mm thru 20mm 90's CM raised panel set.
View media item 87597
The larger raised panels don't fit right and are not as secure as I was hoping. I was really looking for a solution to my taco wagon at work that I roll around the plant on concrete and wood block. These don't have enough magnetism to the tools. The widgets have enough not to move.

Here you see a 24mm CM RP in the second to last spot and an early 80's snapon oex 1 1/16 in the last spot. Snap on fits well, CM not so much and larger ones would not allow this shallow lista drawer to close. View media item 87598
Also one of the magnets came out on the first time in the box. They are superglued in and I believe they should be epoxied or maybe even a good industrial hot melt. Not a super big deal but hey.
View media item 87600
My opinion is they would be decent for a box that doesn't move a lot over rough terrain and I wouldn't use them with RP wrenches. I really wish to that they were wider as well. Even a 1/2" would be better but twice as wide would be awesome. Of course you could put two set together but 38$ for a wrench rack is getting outrageous.

I personally dislike Ernst rails and their issues. I guess I will have to makes something custom with some uhmw, magnets, and the unisaw. I was so hoping for and off the shelf solution.
 
A

Audicon

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 12, 2009
Messages
139
Will not be in my purchase list anytime soon as most of my current tooling remains in my toolbag or the cases they come in.

It seems like a nice product, but after looking at the website, there was a photo that seemed like it should be a crime. Who would do this:
 

Attachments

  • wrench holder.jpg
    wrench holder.jpg
    114.2 KB · Views: 328
G

gsea

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2011
Messages
198
They are also working on some units for pliers and screwdrivers. I emailed the owner and he said he will have a small booth at SEMA. Plan to check them out and see if they could be the new winners for me.

My favorite to date the Ernst Rails, but these are appealing because I've changed toolboxes and added to wrench sets over the years. With these i can adjust accordingly, whereas with the Ernst, once you cut them, they're cut. Also, the slots aren't uniformly sized, so you have to but who racks for each set (can't use the remnants from one rack since they will be all large or all small slots).
 
B

Bobioz1

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 26, 2013
Messages
821
Location
Northern il. (For now)
I bought 1 set and they hold 5 extra long Mountain ratcheting box wrench’s and 5 short Cornwell ratcheting box wrench’s perfectly. Super happy with them. Wouldn’t recommend them for R.P. Wrench’s but wouldn’t recommend R.P. Wrench’s in the first place.
 
J

Jackpod

Well-known member
Joined
May 12, 2017
Messages
371
Location
Tonopah Arizona
Got mine today, and first impressions are good. my combo wrenches are a collection of several different sets and manufactures over the last 50 years. They seem accommodating to wrenches of different brands. The best thing about them is being able to have several of the same size
 
S

stsmytherie

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 16, 2005
Messages
171
Location
VT
To echo Firebrick43's comments above, I also picked up a set out of curiosity.

Pros: it's a clever idea, particularly being able to add or remove slots as needed.

Cons: very cheap materials and poor finish. I had 2 magnets fall off just taking them out of the box, and many of the magnets are fitted inconsistently proud or cockeyed in the bottoms. Lots of casting flash.

So I won't be buying more of these
 
D

Dumber than lumber

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 19, 2015
Messages
1,873
moparfreak said:
These are a neat little plug'n'play solution, but I got a similar idea from other GJers that accomplishes the same thing already that is way cheaper....all it takes is a single roll of 12g solid core insulated wire and a broom handle or dowel, and it could probably organize 200 wrenches if you have 'em. I'll spend my $20 on beer. :beer:

y4mKKRlACzjnIMg_V8lVi4N2ggESYratVIt0-TsubpxcuRH6PJe6wkJfq_fhXvr1BBKDi-rmfUG7n-k3woHLRigGZwdpgERT8hjSh4dPCB-GJNcyF1hTunOPy7CJEl-pJbMIuPQLXLUBWlXW19oK13LcNOEBLInXS4FEKPzYKGCN5rLPx24oOqVcWjJhUGGdima12CVNd7Pdvuxb00vLEleEA
Click to expand...

I like your idea A LOT! I will spend $20 on beer -

I might also try to make something like your wrench manage-nizer out of shirt hangers, or welding wire bent around one of the following: a square tube, or a piece of wood or angle steel.
 
R

Regnar

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 9, 2010
Messages
461
Dumber than lumber said:
I like your idea A LOT! I will spend $20 on beer -

I might also try to make something like your wrench manage-nizer out of shirt hangers, or welding wire bent around one of the following: a square tube, or a piece of wood or angle steel.
Click to expand...


I would try it out first before you go hog wild. I personally didnt enjoy the wire method because getting the wrenches in and out and seeing what size the wrench is was a pain is the *** for me. I eventually got to the point that I would just throw the wrenches in the box and worry about it later.

----

I think the Toolbox Widget is a great ideal but process is slightly flawed. He could easily sell a 30 wrench stick for 20 dollars and allow users to cut to length. Either way I liked it so much that I tried my hand at making my own today. Tomorrow I outfit the rest of the tool box.
 

Attachments

  • Photo Oct 30, 8 32 42 PM.jpg
    Photo Oct 30, 8 32 42 PM.jpg
    135.6 KB · Views: 302
  • Photo Oct 30, 8 32 52 PM.jpg
    Photo Oct 30, 8 32 52 PM.jpg
    147.1 KB · Views: 248
H

HaroRider

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 20, 2010
Messages
2,455
Location
New York
How well do these hold smaller wrenches? Like 6 or 7mm? I really like that they are customizable.
 
B

BlindViper

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 1, 2009
Messages
1,304
Location
York, PA
Matt M said:
I agree....surprised they are being marketed without. I'm also thinking that if the labels are another added cost...I'm out.

They look great...but they're certainly not cheap...
Click to expand...

I would think a paint marker or silver sharpie on of the flats would work great.
 
G

gerryw

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 10, 2008
Messages
815
Location
toronto area
Looks great , but + $38 usd for shipping to Canada( one item) , i think i will wait.... until the knock-offs appear on ebay with free shipping lol,

Gerry

Update; i contacted the company and they forwarded a Canadian seller’s info to me, but unfortunately its still over what i would pay for these( $30cad plus shipping ) good luck to the company on a cool product.
 
Last edited:
I

irisservice

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 28, 2008
Messages
152
Location
NYC,New York USA
Regnar said:
I would try it out first before you go hog wild. I personally didnt enjoy the wire method because getting the wrenches in and out and seeing what size the wrench is was a pain is the *** for me. I eventually got to the point that I would just throw the wrenches in the box and worry about it later.

----

I think the Toolbox Widget is a great ideal but process is slightly flawed. He could easily sell a 30 wrench stick for 20 dollars and allow users to cut to length. Either way I liked it so much that I tried my hand at making my own today. Tomorrow I outfit the rest of the tool box.
Click to expand...

Regnar looks great...how Much? :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!