How do you organize your toolbox?

Post by **justang1997** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 10:00 am

Any tricks or tips for finding stuff? Keeping stuff clean.

I have 2 boxes. One for home stuff and one for auto stuff. And I have a socket set that I use frequently on my car but I keep out of the tool box because the set in in a very well organized yet too large plastic case with sizes molded into the plastic.

In my top tray for my auto box I keep 1 flat head and one phillips. 1 Crescent wrench, one adjustable pliers, one needle nose pliers and one 6 inch socket extention. Rest of tray is various silicone and brake caliper lube and plug gapper and sharpie and stuff that clutters it up.
The bottom of the box gets crazy cluttered. I have started rolling my box wrenches up in a towel in order of size and that is working well but I need some quick easy organization.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ssracer02 · Post by **ssracer** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 10:02 am

Mine was organized with different tool types in different drawers...need to clean up the garage

Post by **Livewire** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 10:15 am

I prefer to go to the last place I was using them to find what I need.

I had everything organized at my old shop because it was prett small and space meant more. I built a bigger one and it is a complete wreck. I need to just take the time and either buy the foam inserts and cut them or put it all on peg board.

Post by **justang1997** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 10:18 am

Yeah I have a nice cleaning kit set up for my guns. I'll post a pic later of that. My various random tools are in a dresser my wife wanted to throw away but I put in the garage by my work bench because its old solid wood, just too beat up for inside. It has the power tools and boxes of screws and paint brushes and stuff. I just hate to spend my gun nutt/flashlight/prepper money on a metal rolling chest they are so pricey. For one of them I could get the generator I keep putting off.

Post by **justang1997** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 10:22 am

When I moved in I had a peg board but never used it so I tore it down. I hate being under the car and having to crawl out for a tool. Most of my tool needs are automotive and need to be easily transported, usually to my or a friends broke down car. I have amassed quite a tool collection because if I ever do work, I never rent a tool, I just buy it. Only thing I have ever rented was an o2 sensor wrench.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ssracer02 · Post by **ssracer** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 10:24 am

Cleaning stuff for the guns is all in a 50cal can. Got a craftsman rolling box in the garage for tools

reverend dreed · Post by **reverend dreed** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 6:58 pm

i keep mine scattered all over the shop so i can spend all my time gathering up tools and say fuck it ill fix it tomorrow. but tomorrow has finally arrived gotta put brakes on my daughter car in the am. o2 sensor sockets yep i got 2 different sizes in the tool box.

Post by **Robert Paulson** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 9:24 pm

one word poorly

Post by **justang1997** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 12:51 am

Post by **Jff24Gordn** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 4:15 pm

Box #1
The top opens up and is stacked 7' tall of random stuff
3 small drawers side by side 2 with odds and ends, one with stickers
inch sockets
metric sockets
ratchets and extensions
specialty kits, easy out, diesel timing set......
inch wrench
metric wrench
screw drivers
pliers
bigger random stuff, big inch sockets
air tools
tap and die kits, big stuff

Box #2
Top drawer is 5' wide, the rest of the box is 2 drawers wide
pry bars and torque wrenches and 3/4" drive tools
pullers and snap ring pliers | drill bits and grinder wheels
random stuff | hammers and punches and chisels
wiring and electrical stuff | plumbing stuff
random stuff | drills double height drawer
grinders |

I don't have an O2 socket. All I own is diesels. :llama:

Post by **Mexican Kerry** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 5:21 pm

I used to be fairly organized when it came to tools. Now I'm lucky if a half hour search produces what I'm looking for. I'm turning my shop into a shop/gun room/lounge in the near future, so hopefully I can get things back on track.

Post by **Harleyx2** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 7:37 pm

It home i have a row around box i use these plastic rack for wrenches and sockets, screwdrivers goes in one draw with pry bars. My impact sockets came in medal boxes so i use them, specialty tools, toque wrenches, om meter, snap ring pliers ect. I made some tools to use on my motorcycles. In my truck i carry a snap open plastic tool sets from Sears i think it's 150 pic kit. When i worked i new what i used the most so i had wood 2x4''s bolted to my work bench all my sockets where on extensions i used muffler brackets bolted to my bench for my impact guns. but 90% of what i had i never used unless it was what i was working on was a pile of shit. Except for paint and body i think i could built a F-250 with 8 or 9 sockets and 4 or 5 wenchs

Post by **Ian** » Thu Mar 15, 2012 12:09 am

Here is the only toolbox I own...

Here is the top drawer. :llama:

Since I have re organized several times(every time we get slow I can't find anything better to do.)
Top drawer: Sockets, ratchet, flashlight, impact's, plug sockets etc.
2nd drawer down: Personal stuff, pens, knives, bowl, fork/spoon, informational books, M&P.45...

Left side:
Top: Wiring kits, test leads, scissors, blow gun, punchs...
Middle: misc bolts/ fender plugs, test lights, tape measure, extra long zip ties.
Bottom: Extra ratchets, hammers, sand paper.

Right side:
Top: wrenches lol
Middle: screw drivers... I have way to many...
Bottom: Pliers. I love this drawer.

The bulky drawers on the bottom.
Left square drawer: Extra set of p72 pistons and rods for the integra, pulleys for the integra, football, baseball, nerf ball, Misc cans of cleaner/ blasters.
Right side fat drawer: battery tester, grinder cookies, breaker bar, 3' long 1/2" ratchet. other misc stuff.
Very bottom: metric and standard tap and dye sets, extra sockets.

I am a bit OCD when it comes to my toolbox the flat black drives me crazy because of all the finger prints...

Post by **guncrank1** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 6:58 pm

Organized ??
Haha
Old toolmaker never originized
If you have seen my shop or office that's the way it is.

Post by **Harleyx2** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 8:58 pm

guncrank1 wrote:Organized ??
Haha
Old toolmaker never originized
If you have seen my shop or office that's the way it is.

Ha Ha the first time i met Cranky, i was having problems with my SIG 556. I walked in his office i thought what have i got into, was i realty going to let this jackleg work on my guns. But every thing Cranky has done for has been first rate.

Post by **wash** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 9:01 pm

I don't. That's why I always spend 5 minutes looking for anything!

:llama:

I used to and need to again.

Post by **WLJ** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 9:05 pm

Organize, Organize, Organize
.
.
.
.
.
Never heard of it.

Post by **justang1997** » Tue May 29, 2012 9:49 am

Saw a sale on tool boxes at sears on monday so I grabbed 2 of the "medium truck boxes" for $3.99 each. They fit perfect in the bottom of my tool box so I figured I'd post some pics. This is my workin on cars tool box.

Top tray is all larger wrenches and half inch sockets and my breaker bar. Threw in a small 1/4 drive craftsman set so I don't always need to lift the tray for something small.

Lift the tray and there are the two boxes I got. Packed around the boxes is a pulley puller, oil filter wrench for car I don't have anymore, a + and - screwdriver and a 32mm 1/2inch socket, plus some tape and "stuff"

First box is my home depot brand socket set and pliers. The whole set fits in the box so I can get rid of the old holder that took up way too much space. Even the deep well sockets will fit in this box but there isn't so much space that stuff shifts around.

And lastly the second box has my walmart stanley brand and o'riely gm tools. Mainly open/box wrenches and torx sockets and spark plug sockets and some extensions.

Post by **ChopperDoc** » Tue May 29, 2012 10:30 am

My best efforts to organize have only accomplished a different toolbox for different applications:

Electrical / Telephone / Cable Box
Dry way box
General construction box
Gun tool box
Plumbing box
Automotive Box

At least this way I have a general location for what I need. Saves me a few minutes of looking for a tool.

Post by **guncrank1** » Tue May 29, 2012 10:46 am

I think organize my tools
This pile and this pile and this pile here

Post by **guncrank1** » Tue May 29, 2012 10:49 am

Ian wrote:Here is the only toolbox I own...

Here is the top drawer.

Since I have re organized several times(every time we get slow I can't find anything better to do.)
Top drawer: Sockets, ratchet, flashlight, impact's, plug sockets etc.
2nd drawer down: Personal stuff, pens, knives, bowl, fork/spoon, informational books, M&P.45...

Left side:
Top: Wiring kits, test leads, scissors, blow gun, punchs...
Middle: misc bolts/ fender plugs, test lights, tape measure, extra long zip ties.
Bottom: Extra ratchets, hammers, sand paper.

Right side:
Top: wrenches lol
Middle: screw drivers... I have way to many...
Bottom: Pliers. I love this drawer.

The bulky drawers on the bottom.
Left square drawer: Extra set of p72 pistons and rods for the integra, pulleys for the integra, football, baseball, nerf ball, Misc cans of cleaner/ blasters.
Right side fat drawer: battery tester, grinder cookies, breaker bar, 3' long 1/2" ratchet. other misc stuff.
Very bottom: metric and standard tap and dye sets, extra sockets.

I am a bit OCD when it comes to my toolbox the flat black drives me crazy because of all the finger prints...

And not pictured is the signed Elton John photograph
"thanks for that special night , Elton"
:llama:

http://www.youtube.com/user/ssracer02 · Post by **ssracer** » Tue May 29, 2012 10:50 am

I have a 5 drawer craftsman roller in the garage. Top drawer is socket/socket wrenches, next one is wrenches of all types, next one is screw drivers and pliers. Bottom two drawers are deeper and contain whatever larger tools fit in them.

Post by **justang1997** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 8:05 pm

My neighbor just showed me his "retirement present' from his brother in law who works for snap on. Freakin' $4,000 worth of tools packed in a rolling snapon tool chest that was taller than me. Even had a hammer drill still in the box........ "Gosh. Lucky!"

Post by **Jakob** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 8:28 pm

I have way too many tools to keep it down to a number. I can think of different drawers I have designated though:
1) flathead screwdrivers
2) phillips screwdrivers
3) punches and chisels
4) hammers
5) clamps
6) prybars
7) air tools
8) taps and dies
9) drill bits
10) sealants and adhesives
11) hose clamps, wiring supplies
12) vacuum hose and accessories
13) sockets and ratchets
14) extensions, adapters, U-joints
15) combination wrenches
16) impact sockets
17) misc tools
18) specialty tools

That pretty much covers it, there are some other tools mixed in there, but those are the named majorities. It's not nearly as organized as it sounds.

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