Examples of OCD Tool Box Over the Top Organization

[stephen1070]

This is craftsman but search on line ... many sources out there.

[sugarwood]

The sizing bar is a neat trick.

https://www.amazon.com/Tool-Sorter-Wrench-Organizer-Red/dp/B00HNZWPCQ

[john walker's workshop]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

Looks nice, but quadruples the amount of toolbox space you need.
That could be 3 small piles taking up one small corner of that drawer

There's a lot of wasted space there. How many times do you use a crescent wrench? About never for me.

[dicklague]

I have way too many tools to store them that way!!! I would need so many tool boxes!!!

I do real work in my garage and spend a bit of time organizing, but NOT ALL THE TIME!!!

[tirwin]

Drawers are where tools go to die.

[dicklague]

Originally Posted by tirwin

Drawers are where tools go to die.

I like that!!

[Rodney Nelson]

I thought I would annoy some of you messy people with some pictures of whats in my drawers... My Nuts! Enjoy.

[Rodney Nelson]

I love these Bisley organizers, I purchased them at The Container Store, about $90, plus the cost of the organization trays. They have all types of inserts for organizing small to large items.

[sugarwood]

Your nuts and bolt assortment is pure OCD.
I love it, but I just go to the local hardware store for that stuff, as needed.
You would be the ideal neighbor !

[Mark Salvetti]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

The sizing bar is a neat trick.

https://www.amazon.com/Tool-Sorter-Wrench-Organizer-Red/dp/B00HNZWPCQ

A guy on Rennlist invented these over 20 years ago. I bought mine from him around that time.

Mark

[Mark Salvetti]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Very tidy, nothing like me.

BUT what I am going to do is get the dremel out and put readable size numbers on my wrenches. It annoys me not being able to read the 12mm or whatever on them.

Much easier to just get a set of socket labels: Socket Labels

Mark

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by tirwin

Drawers are where tools go to die.

sockets sit on top of the box with drawers - I hate trying to read the tiny numbers on the sockets too

who knows why some are working side up and others the opposite way??

[RWebb]

commonly uses 'speed' wrenches

others in drawer on plastic 'racks'

[tirwin]

Have a little time so I thought I should clarify my thoughts.

There is a difference between organization, efficiency and clutter. This is something I’ve learned The Hard Way™.

Putting things in drawers so things look tidy does NOT automatically mean they are efficient or organized. This is where I have big disagreements with people I see writing about how to organize a workspace.

My workspace is not my living room. It serves a utilitarian purpose.

The reason I don’t like putting tools in drawers is because it is not efficient. If I have a drawer full of wrenches, the one I need is lost in a pile. I waste time sorting through the drawer to find the one I need. They are insidious little bastardz. They like to hide.

I use pegboard for most of my tools, especially things that are frequently used. Some people don’t like pegboard because it looks cluttered. But I know exactly where it should be. And I know where to put it back when I’m done.

My most commonly used tools are within reach. That’s efficient for me and how I work. Some people might say it is visually distracting. But it’s better than tools in a drawer.

I don’t have a problem with the foam cutouts in drawers. Similar concept. The only thing I don’t like is it is a relatively expensive use of space and it is a pain to change.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by Mark Salvetti

Much easier to just get a set of socket labels:

Mark

Thanks Mark. I like the look of those!

[walt]

I like the look of those socket labels to. Anyone know how well they hold up over time, that's one tough place to put a stick on label.

[RWebb]

"If I have a drawer full of wrenches, the one I need is lost in a pile. "

not if you use plastic wrench organizers in the drawer

[tirwin]

Originally Posted by walt

I like the look of those socket labels to. Anyone know how well they hold up over time, that's one tough place to put a stick on label.

I have been using them. Only one has come off. Tight space and it rubbed off. I would put some degreaser on a rag and wipe the sockets down before applying the labels.

[tirwin]

Originally Posted by RWebb

"If I have a drawer full of wrenches, the one I need is lost in a pile. "

not if you use plastic wrench organizers in the drawer

don’t like ‘em. I may have 3 of one size. different lengths. or one normal and another gear wrench. then I need a different organizer for each type...

same holds true for pliers, hammers, screwdrivers...

My point is that you can throw each type of tool in a different drawer. That is organized. Each tool has a place. It is probably really efficient in terms of space density. To the casual observer, you could say it appears neat because everything is put away. But it is not efficient for productivity.

[chrisbalich]

I have two of those tool-sorter trays. They're great. And they're divided out for metric and imperial. So if you don't use both, you have double the space. I have three sets of metric wrenches and one imperial in my two trays. Then the Snap-On & BluePoint sets are in the trays they came in.
There are some wrenches 'loose' in the drawer, but I use the trays and one large divider to keep them relatively corralled.
The pin-style socket organizers are a godsend. Again, multiple sets with multiple sets of sockets on them. As big as my box is (68" wide), I'd need 3 of them if I divided my tools for presentation like the OP.

I'll take some pics tonight if I remember. But I tend to agree with whoever said a tidy workspace is likely unused.

OP, I mean no offense. It is a fantastic display and worthy of admiration.