Tool storage

[Bert Coules]

I'd be grateful for any thoughts on easy-access, low-cost storage solutions for an overlarge collection of hand tools: wall-mounted racks of some kind? Traditional pegboard and hooks (though hardboard pegboard doesn't seem to be as easily available as it used to be, at least in the big sheds)? Straightforward shelving with everything just laid loose? A commercial solution? Anything else?

Pointers to any particularly useful-looking online ideas would be welcome: initial Google searches have thrown up a multitude of examples, DIY and otherwise, but nothing has really stood out so far.

I have more wall space available than floor space, so chest-of-drawers type storage wouldn't be ideal.

Many thanks.

[Andy Burns]

I bought several IKEA cutlery trays for about 40p each, then stack them alternately at 90° to each other ...

[John Rumm]

Kaizen foam can make for very neat wall storage. Search youtube for examples.

Rutlands sell it in the UK:

[GB]

My tools are a mess. I need to do a lot of rearranging - the plan is to keep tools for particular types of work together.

So, in your position, I might have ordinary shelves with boxes for the different types of tools. That way I could just grab a box and have everything I needed.

[Bert Coules]

Thanks for those suggestions. The foam looks very neat but I wonder slightly how well it would retain its grip over time. The cutlery trays are a neat idea, especially at that price.

[Bert Coules]

That certainly has the virtues of simplicity and economy. Thanks.

[Chris Green]

The trouble is that each job, in reality, needs all the 'X tools' plus a few of the 'Y tools' and a few of the 'Z tools'. I seem to always end up taking everything.

Actually a 'main' toolbox plus a tote box for the extras can work quite well.

[tabbypurr]

Second hand ex charity shop chests of drawers stacked on top of each other. Reinforce the hardboard drawer bottoms with strips of wood. They'll stack 3 high if you prevent them sliding with some of that rubberised string.

NT

[Peter Parry]

[Dave Liquorice]

+1

To avoid that I have an open tote that I put the X, Y, Z tools I think I'll need and take just those to the job. It can then be used to carry those, and all the extras, back to the X, Y, Z boxes...

[Dave Liquorice]

Ooh, that looks interesting stuff, any experience with it?

I'm thinking more of delicate stuff in cases for transport than a drawer liner. "general purpose" cases tend to come with that rather soft, cubed, "pluck" foam that falls apart very quickly.

How well bonded are the layers of this stuff? How easy is it to cut? Is it soft or semi ridged?

[Tim Lamb]

In message , Bert Coules writes

When you solve it, let me know!

This is a farm with buildings spread over 2 acres. For transport to job I use a garden wheelbarrow. Not too hard on sharp tools, rarely more than 3 items deep so you don't have to dig far. Wheel big enough to ignore steps or rough ground and narrow enough to go through standard doorways.

Woodwork mainly done in one barn with hand tools slotted in to holed shelving or hung from cuphooks reachable from the workbench. Planes and small electrical tools kept in drawers at the bench ends

Metalwork similar except more use made of bench drawers. Lathe tackle usually lives in the suds collector as I don't use coolant.

Whatever you do, it takes 6 months to learn the new positions so expect to do a lot of head scratching:-)

[tabbypurr]

One thing I've learnt is never change where tools are stored: it may be more sensible but you won't find it. I've learnt then forgotten that one so many times.

NT

[John Rumm]

I have seen a few youtube woodworkers etc that use it. It appears to be semi rigid and quite resilient, but cuts easily with a sharp knife. Its made up in layers, so you cut through as many as you need for the depth in question.

[John Rumm]

That's what I do for job centric tools that need to go to the job. Hence I have tool boxes of varying degrees of elaboration for plumbing, another for electrics, data comms, aerial / tv rigging, plus a general purpose one. However for workshop tools like planes, chisels etc, I still need to do something better. I have some in drawers, a few on wall racks etc, but some form of cabinet that makes them easy to grab would be handy. I might combine that into a mitre saw station.

[John Rumm]

I found there came a point where I needed to duplicate a subset of some tools for each box. So my plumbing box has some VDE screwdrivers, comms box has wire strippers and cutters etc. Otherwise I found I would "borrow" tool from another box, and then find later it was missing when I needed it!

I find a large rolling box for general stuff works, then you can sling job specific ones on top of it.

[John Rumm]

I would like back all the wasted hours I spend looking for things that were in my hand "a moment ago"! I really ought to get into the habit of using a tool belt more often.

[Scott M]

With my swiss cheese memory, I thought that was just me. I froth at the mouth when I realise, yet again, I've put something down without a single recollection of where I was stood at the time.

[Andy Burns]

Yes, I have a tote with a few "standard" tools in it, and a screw tub with a few various size screws and rawlplugs, but which doesn't try to have all things for all jobs, plenty of room to chuck other tools in as needed per job.

[Chris Green]

John Rumm wrote: [snip]

I thought a large rolling box would work for me but it has one big disadvantage, it's difficult and clumsy to get into a car (or van).