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I'm going through this right now im trying to organize my tool boxes, ive got 4 sets of craftsman boxes upper and lower, do you keep all your metrics in one place and all sae's in another area, or in the case of sockets and wrenches do you keep all the 1/4 drives together and 3/8 drives together, what works the best ... right now i got metrics and sae's on different socket rails but stored in the same area....
Ha, just straightened out some of these last week. These are the ones I don't mind showing. The rest, I don't even want to look at. I have no idea where that othe 14mm got off to either. Darn kids.
I have three of the prepackaged socket sets from Sears, and they're all still in the original crappy containers they came in. It's a PITA to take them anywhere since the cases suck, but at least it's all in order. Everything else looks like LeadDoggy or ATC, pliers wrenchs and screwdrivers thrown everwhere. I buy a new pack of craftsman screwdrivers every summer to replace what gets lost when I take the broken ones in to get replaced.
I finally said enough of the crappy tools, im only putting craftsman, snapon, Williams in my tool box.. well any thing that says made in the USA... all the inda taiwan china and japan tools are outahere!!!!
I keep my wrenches in separate draws easy to see the size and easy to put them away. Sis weeks ago I got a new job as a lawnmower Tech. More tools more toolbox. This is a viscus cycle.
Some great pics...wish I had a few to share since a pic is worth a 1000 words but a few things I have found helpful.
I got a $20 label maker from Staples and labeled the drawers. I don't have to guess which drawer its in and it's easy to return things where they belong.
I don't try to put too much in the drawers. I'd rather be able to easily lay my hand on the tools I use most frequently than have everything under the sun crammed into a drawer. Some of the more obscure tools have their home in a separate box.
I use the lower profile socket organizer as opposed to the one that stick up or anything that clips. The sockets have a home in a specific drawer so having them clipped into something else seems redundant.
I like the rubber type mats so the tools don't slide around in the drawer. Again, I can lay them out in a pattern and it makes finding what I need quicker and easier.
My toolbox is 72" long. If it wasn't organized, I'd spend all day looking for tools. I have to know where all my tools are at all times. I use Hanson socket racks from Sears. Socket rails are nice as long as your hands are dry. Wrench racks are great too. I got mine from Snap On but I have seen them elsewhere. Keeping my box organized saves me a ton of time. I have a ton of tools. Organization is not only handy but necessary.
I bought a bunch of those tackle trays that have the dividers you can place wherever you want. They are the perfect size to fit in a toolbox drawer, and I can organize all the little stuff I've accumulated (extra sockets, stubby screwdrivers, random specialty stuff). I use them in the toolbox in my truck too...I'm a little OCD about keeping especially my truck toolbox organized...its the only way I can fit everything in it I like to have with me just in case...
I agree with designating specific tools go to specific drawers. I use the long wrench holders from snap on that you cut to length and then double sided tape down (could make your own out of wood). I use hansen socket holders for the sockes I don't use too much, and other than that make sure when you are done you put it back. I am a wrench for a living and if you don't have tools you don't have money. Once you get into the habit it will get easier. But I also am very **** about everything being clean and put in the right spot.
I don't really use a tool box. Most of anything I do is done right in my little shop. If I have a job around the house or a service call, I'll just throw what I need into a box and take it with me.
Most of what I do requires 3/8" drive sockets. Sometimes half inch stuff or impact. I have a 3/4" set that is in a toolbox on a shelf since I only very rarely need anything that robust.
I pulled a spice rack out of the neighbors dumpster years ago and it works great (for me) as a socket organizer. The pic is a little blurry, but you get the point.
Just when I think I'm done organizing my tools, you guys have to come along and give me a bunch of new ideas. Seriously, there's some great stuff in this thread and thanks everybody for sharing them.