Tool Opinions / Storage tips ???

[Bob_VT]

I have waited a long time and this year my wife gave me a new tool box for Christmas.... (she gave it to me early too big to wrap or hide LOL).<br /><br />It has quite enough space but I am at an organization loss. I have sorted my wrenches standard in one drawer, metric in another, a drawer for screwdrivers, one for pliers and handle type tools. It has been a learning curve. I have discovered that I probably have the market cornered on 7/16" wrenches and also discovered that in my gaing years I can no longer read the sides of my sockets- tough even with glasses.<br /><br />What are your organiztion tips?<br /><br />I was at Sears and saw the laser etched sockets and I can read them - they look very tempting and I can pass along all my old ones to my son (he has better eyes). I don't mind the Sears sockets I just hate their new ratchets which feel like junk to me. I would keep my old ratchets. <br /><br />What about socket storage? What do you thing is good? I have used the metal strips with the metal clips but they wear out too easy. Does anyone use the socket organizers tray with pins? like this one http://www.mcfeelys.com/subcat.asp?subcat=10.4.5&keyword=socket_storage&rkgsource=google <br /><br />Merry Christmas!<br />Bob

 

[vipzach]

Re: Tool Opinions / Storage tips ???

Congrats on the new tool box! I have the organizer like he one in the link, they sit in the very top of the tool box. I like it alot better than those metal clip organizers. For the tools that get used on a regular basis, I have them organized like you and have a drawer that just has a bunch of stuff in it. <br /><br />I went and bought some foam sheets and cut them to size to fit into the drawers, then laid the tools on top of the foam and drew around them, then used a razor blade and cut out there shape in the foam. They don't slide when you open the drawers and I always know if something is missing. It took awhile to do, but I liked the end result.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Tool Opinions / Storage tips ???

I prefer to keep them in a giant pile in the middle of my work bench.

 

[heycods]

Re: Tool Opinions / Storage tips ???

Most old tool boxes had an organizer tray for sockets thats what I use . I can grab the tray and have all the sockets when working on something.

 

[KRS]

Re: Tool Opinions / Storage tips ???

Originally posted by ZmOz:<br /> I prefer to keep them in a giant pile in the middle of my work bench.

And I thought I was the ONLY visionary here

 

[JB]

Re: Tool Opinions / Storage tips ???

Hmmmm. No imagination, guys.<br /><br />Small compartments. One for 3/8" open, box and combo wrenches AND 3/8" sockets in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive.<br /><br />Next one has all the 1/2" stuff, and so forth.<br /><br />All blade screw drivers in one drawer; all Phillips in the next, then R&P, Allen, Torx, etc.<br /><br />Wouldn't work for everyone, but it worx for me.

 

[jimr]

Re: Tool Opinions / Storage tips ???

i have used those socket organizers and they don't hold up very good at all. they are an excellent idea but need to be made out of metal.cause when the plastic gets cold it will break. i use these for most of my sockets<br /> http://www.toolweb.com/irep-supplies/store.cfm?catID=26405&subcatID=43877&do=itemslist

 

[Ron G]

Re: Tool Opinions / Storage tips ???

I use those silver ware orginizer that you put forks or knives in,there the single ones,i put all straight screw drivers in themand so on,but i have so much stuff it ends up like ZMOZ,Ive got to get my shop organized but one i start moving one thing another takes it place i wish i was more organized,good luck.

 

[Pony]

Re: Tool Opinions / Storage tips ???

Originally posted by azfyrfyter63:<br />

Originally posted by ZmOz:<br /> I prefer to keep them in a giant pile in the middle of my work bench.

And I thought I was the ONLY visionary here

LOL nope you're not the only two either.......After I organize all my tools I can never find what I am looking for. No matter how hard I try I always find a way to unorganize it all...............<br /><br /><br />I will however second those who said to use socket organizing devices. Just makes it easier to find a specific one

 

[Ron G]

Re: Tool Opinions / Storage tips ???

Ive got an organized mess.

 

[alden135]

Re: Tool Opinions / Storage tips ???

Nail polish (light color) wiped over the stamped #'s makes them easier to read.<br /><br />My cousin uses magnetic socket holders and they seem to work well.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Tool Opinions / Storage tips ???

The only person who knows where the tools are is the owner..... <br /><br />I have three sets of sockets....two 1/4" drives and a combo 3/8" drive set that came in a tool box with cradles for the sockets. One 1/4" drive set I keep on the roll around tool box and the other on the work bench. I religiously keep these sockets together. I also have a handfull of wrenches on the bench and on the roll around. A few screwdrivers round out the actual "use all the time" tools. The rest are in an upright multi drawer tool box.....roughly organized by wrenches, screwdrivers and other stuff. Oh...did I mention the sockets on the window seal over the workbench? Handy.....

 

[qaztwo]

Re: Tool Opinions / Storage tips ???

in the top part of my tool chest I riveted down the socket holders that you push either 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 sockets onto. In the draws only one type of tool etc screw drivers one drawer wrench in another. One nice thing about having all of your sockets fasten down is when you throw the tool box in the back of the truck they don't fly every where.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Tool Opinions / Storage tips ???

Originally posted by ZmOz:<br /> I prefer to keep them in a giant pile in the middle of my work bench.

When you get more tools (you can never have too many) you will have multiple little piles, one for each project over the last couple of years … a pile on the work bench, a pile on the kitchen table, a pile in the living room behind the tv, a pile next to the french doors in the dining room. Took years to train woman, taking a screwdriver from one pile and returning it to another pile does not count. It’s like taking a video back to the wrong Blockbuster, you don’t get credit for it, it’s lost.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Tool Opinions / Storage tips ???

I was considering fastening down some socket holders in the box. I am still collecting scattered tools.... I never knew I had some many pair of vice grips. <br /><br />I am real tempted to replace the sockets with those laser inscribed ones that I can read without my glasses... funny part is I can usually tell what size a socket is by looking at it.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Tool Opinions / Storage tips ???

I was thinking about epoxying a few magnets into a board to hold sockets on it, and using the same kind of mags to hold the board to the inside lid of a contractor’s box for storage.<br /><br /> http://woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=114-689 <br /><br />Another source for small, super strong magnets is from the heads of the Philips/Sonicare electric toothbrush. Unscrew the brush, flip it over and there is two super-magnets. Grab with pliers and twist, they pop right off. Each one will easily hold a 1-in socket to the fridge. Heck, slip a Leatherman tool into your pocket when you go to visit family and friends this holiday season. You could collect enough magnets for all of your sockets.<br /> <br /><br />Caution: if you stick one of those little magnets to the fridge you cannot pull it back off. You need to slide it to the edge then pry it off. Sliding it can cause scratches to the fridge finish, could set woman off on the warpath.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Tool Opinions / Storage tips ???

I guess I am not as organized as some are. I just keep all standard sockets in one drawer, metric in another. All closed end wrenches in another. So on and so forth. I just open a drawer, and grab the one I need. I don't think I ever actually read what it is, I have been using tools for so long I just know what size it is by looking at it. I also keep the standard issue post-project pile o' tools on the work bench, to be put away when very very bored or preparing for another project.

 

[deputydawg]

Re: Tool Opinions / Storage tips ???

I have tried many different ways to keep my tools in the tool chests organized. I have over 5 metric and 6 or 7 standard socket sets, all sizes...1/4, 3/8, and 1/2. My 3/4 inch sets are easy to organize and read. Don't lose too many of them.<br />No matter how much I try to keep them organized they all end up in coffee cans under my projext, on the bench, and on the top of my tool chest.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Tool Opinions / Storage tips ???

Those Sears etched tools do look good!<br />I've been using metal strips with clips for years,and seldom have a problem with them.I don't think I've replaced more than 12 or so clips over the years.Could this be because the are Snapon?<br /><br />Recently I bought some new socket sets and used the strips from Harbor Freight,but they are only six months old and seem great.Had some plastic strips,but they took two hands to remove a socket.Gave them away.<br /><br />Best I have is 2 old socket sets that came from Snapon in a tapered tray.<br /><br />But being on clips or in trays they are in order and I can find the size I need.<br /><br />But those etched sockets do look good.<br /><br />DHP

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Tool Opinions / Storage tips ???

I also like the metal clip rails. The ones I have are Snap-On. Some/most are over 20 years old. And like DHP I have had to change very few over the years. I dont rivit them down though, sometimes I'll grab the whole set and take it to the job. Saves a lot of walking. When done just throw them in the roll tray till it fills up, then restock the tool box.