Toolbox organization - what do you guys do?

[Dantilla]

Having multiples of common tools is nice. I have a relatively small roll away in the garage at home, a nice tool bag I take to the track, and another tool bag (different color) for when I have to go fix something at one of my properties.

The roll away and the track bag are pretty much all duplicates, and of course the property fix-it bag has some of the same screwdrivers and pliers as the others. I never rob one when I need something. If I ever need to do that, it's time to buy another duplicate!

[rcecale]

Originally posted by Joeaksa
Mine is pretty much like Sergio's. I work with airplanes as well and we have to make sure that the tools are back in the box. Airplanes have been lost (with people onboard) when a tool jams the controls, so being sure is mandatory.

Yep, worked on military aircraft for 20 years. No job was complete until you had an ATAF (All Tools Accounted For) It was required to be signed off on the paperwork and individuals were held accountable...to the full extent of the law.

There's gotta be no worse feeling for a pilot than a jammed flight control.

All boxes (tool containers) were shadowed and were constructed in accordance with the Military Spec. No matter what squadron you were assigned to, tool containers were standardized. You always knew where to find whichever tool you were looking for.

Randy

[Zeke]

Originally posted by Grady Clay
At a beginning level of tool collection careful planning is essential. A general mechanic’s set today probably pushes $20K. The tool vendors (Snap-On, Mac and others) supply tools but they are really in the finance business. Tools are just the means. Don’t hesitate to demand a discount when paying cash.

Grady, might the opposite also be true? If the seller is going to make all that interest on the payments, why does he need up front profit too? When he sells for cash (I assume you mean company check), he makes no after sale profits.

Originally posted by Joeaksa Randy's is a work of art and wish I had room and the tools to have something like that.

I get the impression Randy scanned that in from a woodworking mag. somehow, I don't think that's Randy or his tools.

My sockets are in the top tray like JW's and the wrenches, screwdrivers and pliers all have their own drawer. I use a few smaller boxes, rather than a big roll-away, so I can grab a box and take it with me when I need to do that.

I really hate to loose tools, and when I do, it's usually left on board the car. Hence, what Joe says makes a lot of sense. I can still remember that 9mm combo wrench I left up in the muffler area of a VW in 1994. I remember it every time I look at the replacement that doesn't match the set.

[chgrec]

Originally posted by sonett43
........

and a view of all of it.

-Lewis [/B]

I feel......so......inadequate.......

Great looking garage..something for every home mechanic to work toward...Very nice...

Currently 99% of my tools are in storage as we are "between" houses right now; living at the in-laws while we search. Really makes you appreciate how important the right tool for the job really is. Especially when you don't have access to them. The only up side is that I get to start all over with setting up my garage again in the new home.

Now i have my template....Thanks for the photos.....

Chris

[randywebb]

Yeh, definitely not mine - scanned from Fine Woodworker as an idea for folks. I just have a Sears Roll-away (that never moves) and a Sears 3 drawer box.

[Jgordon]

Ian, that's the first time I've actually laughed out loud after reading something on the internet in a long time. Well played.

As for the rest of you - I'm just jealous. Especially of Randy's fine saw and chisel collection.

[wholberg]

Originally posted by sonett43

facom metal peg board for organizing wrenches, mostly

Lewis, where did you get the holders that let you hang open end wrenches vertically? I need some of those.

Many REALLY nice garage setups in this thread. Very nice, everyone.

[blucille]

the magnetic vertical wrench holders are available at griots, not too pricey....other folks seem to have them too...not sure if it was drivewerks...even amazon has them (item# B00063XRYW)....and they are available in hot pink, not that there's anything wrong with that. $15 or so.

-Lewis

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by wholberg
Lewis, where did you get the holders that let you hang open end wrenches vertically? I need some of those.

Many REALLY nice garage setups in this thread. Very nice, everyone.

Just make sure that if you do store your tools like this that either they are not in sight from outside (with or without the door closed) or that you can hang a cover over them.

Problem is that people walk in or by and see a lot of very nice tools hanging there. Some people do not realize that we would think of killing someone who steals tools, and just might try to break in and relieve you of everything hanging there. If they do not know they are there then its just a bit safer IMHO.

JoeA

[Flipseat]

I usually keep my wrenches, pry bars, screwdrivers, extensions, and sockets in the packaging they come in. The sockets come on plastic rails that they snap on to except for a couple older ones in metal trays. I lay out all the other tools that don't come in neat packaging as best I can in the drawers of my tool box. Unfortunately my box is filled up and I need a larger one now. I think I'm going to buy the same tool box but in a 3 bank configuration. It'll have 3 banks of drawers instead of two, so its basically just longer and has 3 sets of casters instead of 2. One thing that I will always get now is a stainless top. Its like an operating table. Easy to keep clean and a great work space. I will probably mount a nice vice on the new one too.
Excuse the mess in the picture, it was taken at work just after I bought it 2.5 years ago and we were rearranging the shop. Mine is the yellow one.



Now if only I could afford to duplicate it for home

[Gunter]

Some really nice stuff!
Much better than my system of just leaving the most used tools on plywood pieces laying on the concrete floor around the pit.

[Jim2]

Yep, worked on military aircraft for 20 years. No job was complete until you had an ATAF (All Tools Accounted For) It was required to be signed off on the paperwork and individuals were held accountable...to the full extent of the law.

Randy

I take this to consideration after having a 1/4" socket bust a fin off my cooling fan. A stupid feeling followed.

We all should be aware of stray fasteners or tools hiding down on the tin which could get sucked into the fan when it's up at speed.

Jim

[Grady Clay]

Milt,

The tool dealers have a reasonable margin to work with. I think they get all the up-front profit (Sale price less their cost and overhead) on a cash (company check) sale. That leaves them room to negotiate price with you. If you find someone willing to give deep discounts for greenbacks and no receipt – watch out, I’ll bet they are very short timers.

On credit sales they get some additional % for initiating the “deal” and for the collection of the payments. The down-side is they have to act as the repo/recovery agents for the Corporation.


I also really hate to loose tools. Invariably the replacement isn’t as good as the nice old original. The only time Chris and I ever loose something is when we let someone else use them.

I agree with Randy. We apply ATAF every time the tools are used. It prevents leaving something in the vehicle. It also sends you on a search mission for the socket that rolled somewhere. Regular going through your tools helps keeping them clean and accounted for.

During an undergraduate year I worked for GE Appliance Park (nine 1M+ sf manufacturing buildings). I had tokens good for any tool crib in the entire facility. Right away I learned to get a tool back asap or I had to make a special trip after a crib manager called my boss.

This is the best argument for “a place for everything and everything in its place” organization. A good example is a “tool crib” organization where everyone trades their token for a tool. The token is put where the tool lives so the crib manager can see where the tool is located.

A while back I was at a Porsche Dealer and they had large cabinets in the shop for the P-tools. I asked to inventory them (just to look for any I didn’t have) and found 20% missing. They took my suggestion and now hand them out across the mechanic’s parts counter as a tool crib. They weren’t stolen, just lost. That is a big deal when the next person needs the tool.

If I were to organize the tools for an organization I would have “job specific” tool trays with all the tools, illustrated procedures and parts list. I’ll do that for my upcoming 915 rebuild for Pelican jstein.


Randy, I showed that to Chris and he is already planning that out for his woodworking shop. There is a perfect place above/behind his big Jet wood lathe. Gulp, more tools for me to buy him.

Best,
Grady

[randywebb]

Good! It isn't much more trouble to make 2 than to make 1... He can send it to me in downtown Greater Metropolitan Nimrod, Oregon.



Seriously, I think they may have plans for it on the Fine Woodworking web site or in the magazines.

[Grady Clay]

Randy,

With the proper inducement ($) I’m sure Chris can do
that. He made from scratch (his own design) two
pieces of furniture and this 915 crate for Pelican
jstein over the past few days.



One of my projects for him is a set of “Fine
Woodworking” cases for all the transmission P-tools.
This spring I’ll lay out the design and find the
appropriate fine hardwood.

Another is a presentation case for a pair of sequential
numbered Model 1911A1s.

Best,
Grady

[Bob Goding]

Its neat when you tidy up the toolbox, then open all the drawers to show off and the whole thing tips forward and HURTS !
Ask me how I know!