My tools are a mess

[bigalpha]

And I need some serious help. I have a lot of random stuff; things that didn't come in a set, and I'm not sure how to organize everything. I know I have enough toolbox space I just need some guidance.

I have the small craftsman box on top that has drawers that are molded to accept certain tools; I have a set of metric and SAE wrenches in a wrench roll in top.

Pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigalpha/sets/72157625909427107/

Pics of the toolbox: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigalpha/sets/72157622369752089/

 

[SleeperXJ]

I'm a big fan of peg board. I don't have this one but you'll get the idea...
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...21x00003a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=00917010000P

I've got all my open end wrenches , screw drivers, hack saw and hammers hanging.
It freed up a lot of space in my tool chest.

 

[bigalpha]

Unfortunately, I don't have a place to hang anything.

 

[POSJ]

bigalpha, I'm sure it is expensive but you can order foam laser cut through snap-on that is custom fit to your tools. We have it in the Air Force, it makes tool accountability a lot easier.

But it would be cheaper and not too much of a pain to get foam and cut it to size and shape. Just lay the tools of the foam how you want it, trace it with a sharpie and cut it out. That way you know what tools are missing and they don't slide around when you open the drawer.

 

[bigalpha]

I do like the idea of foam, but I have so much stuff that I don't think it'd be very practical to do that.

 

[POSJ]

Then buy another box...lol

 

[iwannadie]

You could start by pulling anything in a plastic case out of your box and stacking them else where. I have a bunch of tools that came in carry cases and I'd rather not waste space in my box storing them.

I also started a separate small portable toolbox for all my electrical tools and another for my air tools. That freed up a lot of space and keeps things grouped together. When I'm working on the jeep and need a multimeter I just pop open the electrical box other wise all that stuff is out of way cause it's not used a lot.

In my main box I use the black mesh stuff to keep the tools from sliding and helps soak up any oil residue. I have 1 drawer for screwdrivers other drivers(allen, nut, etc), picks and other small type tools. A drawer half for pliers and wrenches half for socket adapters and over size sockets. My main sockets are in a plastic carry case(craftsman). I keep a drawer for smaller/light misc stuff that gets used often. The bottom drawer is for heavy hammers and stuff that rarely is used. I have a few small plastic multi tier shelfs that I keep fluids and spare parts on.

I am fairly organized, I keep most stuff a certain way to help it fit in the drawers. Pliers are always turned a certain way, screwdrivers lined up by type and then in size. Most everything is aligned by type then size in my drawers actually ha. My fluid shelfs are organized by type, looks like a retail shelf usually.

My suggestion, empty the box and start fresh and be over organized now and then just put stuff back where it came from later. Then find a place to stack any carry case tools.

Or, get another box.

 

[kastein]

I try and organize stuff by purpose, not by what it came with or by power source.

Also, if you can get the appropriate foam rubber, you can build a hot wire cutter for it for dirt cheap and make your own drawer liners/tool organizers. All you need is a line cord, a lamp dimmer from home depot, a 25.2 volt 2 amp transformer from radio shack, materials to build the table, and the appropriate gauge of piano wire. Apparently .030 MIG wire (not fluxcore) works well too.

 

[RenegadeStang]

Not the exact one I have (I actually like the way mine is set up better) but these socket trays are NICE to have.

I've got a few of these for my wrenches. It really does conserve space when you turn them opposite of each other like in this pic.

I'm a bit OCD when it comes to tool organization anyway (being an automotive tech, it's nice to know exactly where that socket is that I'm looking for.