The cheap plastic storage bin I was using as handtool storage cracked (…again), and there’s an annoyance factor with digging through it for whatever I’m looking for.
so I’m looking for a tool box that will last a bit longer, and hopefully be a bit more organized.
I thought I’d poll the VHS audience a bit about how you’re storing your tools - especially if you have a tool box you’re happy with.
This is for home storage of handtools, not VHS or workshop storage, please no “VHS should do it this way!” advocacy in the thread.
One of the best combos is a big toolbag and tooltray that fits inside of it.
Larger hand tools like hammers and drills in the bottom of the bag, smaller hand tools like pliers and screwdrivers in the pockets of the bag and small tools like sockets and screwdriver bits in the tray, and the tray fits in bag.
Personally I do it modularly and it’s something I’ve been working on for the
past 10+ years and am pretty happy with current system.
Tool bag - has most commonly used tools, hammer, mallet, screwdrivers,
wrenches, drill bits, powered screwdriver, measure tape etc, stud finder,
sampling of various sized zip straps, safety glasses, gloves etc… I can do
most things with just this bag alone, both personally and for work. See
attached photo.
Toolbox - this is more rarely used and contains saws (hack and regular),
a/c powered drill and extension cord and several other larger hand tools.
Tool duffel bag, this contains other gear that doesn’t fit above, socket
and ratchet sets, 3 or 4 sets of various drill and driver bit sets, right
angle drilling add-on, larger stud/electrical line finder, laser and other
level tools, hole saws and other hole drilling tools.
My battery powered drill has it it’s own hard case and basic set of bits
and drivers. For small jobs, I might just use this alone.
Then other electric or battery powered tools in their own respecitive
cases: jig saw, small circular saw etc.
Smallish rubbermaid container (about 1 cubic foot) with screws (wood,
metal and drywall), nuts and bolts, more zip straps, and other mounting odds
and ends along with a bag of bandaids.
There are other tools like pull poles for running cabling that don’t get
used very often and they just sit around collecting dust most of the time.
This works really well for me as typically for work, I use item 1 and item 4
and possibly 6.
One of the best combos is a big toolbag and tooltray that fits inside of
it.
Larger hand tools like hammers and drills in the bottom of the bag, smaller
hand tools like pliers and screwdrivers in the pockets of the bag and small
tools like sockets and screwdriver bits in the tray, and the tray fits in
bag.
Harondel J. Sibble
Sibble Computer Consulting Ltd.
Creating Solutions for the small and medium business computer user. harondel@pdscc.com (use pgp keyid 0x3CC3CFCE not 0x3AD5C11D) http://www.pdscc.com
Blog: http://www.pdscc.com/blog
(604) 739-3709 (voice)
First is a pegboard wall for frequent use tools and safety gear.
There’s a rolling tool cart for less frequent tools and sets of tools - one drawer is the many piece wrench set, another is all the screw and drill bits. I only got it on wheels because it was easier to install that way. Unfortunately the wheels were not included in the total height so it could not fit where I had intended and now it’s kind of an eyesore.
There are still a few plastic shoe boxes used for extremely low use items (because I haven’t got around to refiling them). Those include sanding papers, knives and scissors.
Same as IMakeRobots, except my wheels clearance on the toolbox proper was accounted for! (it just rolls in and out so nicely…) My pegboards are two smallish units that double up as shelf doors (piano hinges are your friends), that way I can use both sides. A couple of sturdy cases for the rarely used, like woodworking. Power tools in their original cases. In storage, the big rolling cabinet, for when I work at places too cheap to supply tools.
I sure like that bag with the inside tray, I might just get me one of those…
I bought this little guy a couple of months ago and I am 100% satisfied. The bottom part easily holds all my cordless power tools (circular saw, reciprocating saw, drill, impact driver + batteries & charger), and the rest still provides a lot of space for the usual hand tools and common supplies.
My appartment doesn’t have much storage space, and this allows me to pack everything nice and clean into a narrow closet, and move it out easily tp find what I need without having to browse in the dark.
Link is Home Depot, but it was cheaper at Dick’s Lumber.
If you are looking for something super strong, modular and waterproof (and more expensive), DeWalt has some amazing stuff. This is just the “cheap” stuff.
