Best way to organise tools?

[Pancake]

I always had a messy toolbox full of cheap old tools, but now i actually do more stuff than when i was 12 and need quality tools i now have a decent set of tools, but they are still all messed up in an old tub

Anyone got any recommendations of a tool box or bag or case or something that i can get them all nice and organised?

[Hoonigan]

If you're serious about your tools, Snap On make some of the best stuff out there.

I work in a garage, and in my 2nd and 3rd years (currently in my 1st year of apprenticeship) you're required to start accumulating your own tool-set, my dad won't let me buy anything but Snap On, purely for the fact that if you break it, they replace it free of charge, and the chance of you breaking anything made by them is very very slim.

Although, the price they charge for some of their toolboxes can very easily top £10,000! (Especially the bigger ones, 120"+) Some good deals can be found though.

I've also seen someone's cheap toolbox completely crushed by a car when they let it down on it, but someone Snap On toolboxes are rated to hold up to about 5 tonnes.

[MaddAussie]

Halfords Professional series have the whole lifetime replacement thing too

[Gerrard]

We use "shadow boards" at work: -



Mind you, being on aircraft, we also have to tag tools out and account for them all at the start and end of each shift.

[Dingo]

We send all our tools to work in the Warehouse normally!!.

[pipTheGeek]

This really depends on how much space you have to store the tools in and how portable you need them to be. I often take my tools to the in-laws or my grandfathers where there is a decent drive / garage to work in, so big tool chests and "shadow board" type things are no good to me. I have two tools boxes, both cheap. One is a plastic box with a tray in it, the other is a metal cantilever type.
The plastic one is good for big stuff in the bottom, the tray isn't so useful but is full of pretty random small things. It was my original toolbox over 10 years ago, it as been stood on, generally thrown about, and is still going.
The mechanism on the metal one is poor and gets stuck frequently, I would not recommend a really cheap toolbox of this style. Having said that, the box isn't showing any signs of wear and tear and is a useful style for organising tools. If you are going to risk a cheap box like this then I'd say you need to try opening and closing it half a dozen times in the shop and make sure it always works smoothly.

[Funkstar]

Once I get my workshop built (hopefully later this year) I'll get some tool chests to start filling with various tools. I've been thinking about how they will be organised, and I think I'll put all the similar tools in one drawer (for example hammers). This will be their permanent home.

I already have a Stanley FatMax open tool bag that I would then use for taking the tools I need for a job into the house, or round to someone else's to do work.

My Ryobi One+ tools will probably go on some kind of peg board with the batteries and charger.

[Sputnik]

I'm similar to Funkstar's idea. I have a tool chest mainly with car tools, Then several tool boxes with other hand tools which are filled with tools for specific types of work, For example a tool box for doing electrical work etc.

I do also make up a tool kit on the go like Funkstar suggested and often find I have forgotten something when I'm miles from home.

[doyll49]

Drawer tool chest is best. The more drawers the better. For portable tool organization, something like this works very well:
http://www.stanleytools.co.uk/product/147635
http://www.harborfreight.com/canvas-...bag-38124.html

As do tool rolls for organizing spanners, screwdrivers, chisels, etc.:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Am-Tech-Pock.../dp/B002PA875S

[jon bda]

2010

To jon bda...



Merry xmas
jon bda
xxx

[Hoonigan]

Bloody hell Jon, that must've set you back quite a lot! Very nice

[jon bda]

Bloody hell Jon, that must've set you back quite a lot! Very nice

Just a bit ...Snap On guy has told me to claim for tax relief against what i've spent with him in the past few years as i could get up to something like two and a half to three grand back. Hope 'er indoors doesn't open that letter...i'm gonna buy a bike i reckon!!!

[Hoonigan]

Well, with all the money spent, at least you know you've got a very good toolset, and it'll last you for life!

I don't think I could buy anything but Snap On myself... Purely for the fact that I'm training to be a mechanic, and I'm only 19. If all goes to plan, I could still be using the same tools in 50 years.

[Pancake]

Hmmm, i might just suffer with rubbish tools for a bit and save up and get an awesome tool box + tools to go with it, i HATE working with crappy tools. I have a pair of snips you can see right through

[peterb]

Hmmm, i might just suffer with rubbish tools for a bit and save up and get an awesome tool box + tools to go with it, i HATE working with crappy tools. I have a pair of snips you can see right through

Depends really what you are doing. While, there is some truth in the saying "a bad workman blames his tools", well made precision tools are a joy to work with, rubbish ones are painful, and that pretty much goes for anything from simple screwdrivers up to power tools.

If you are (say) a professional mechanic (or training, like hoonigan) then top end tools like the snap-on range are well worth the investment. But for less intensive use, it may be OTT. It can also be difficult ti judge the quality, but if you can, look at what professional tradesmen use, and generally quality costs. So buy the best you can afford, and buy tools as you need them, and thinking about how much you will use them in future.

I keep two or three tool boxes, with tools for different types task in each one. One for small electrical/electronics stuff, one for network wiring stuff, another for working on the car, another for minor plumbing jobs round the house. Works for me, but if I did a lot if car work, I might be looking at something like a tool chest.

[Sputnik]

It can also be difficult ti judge the quality, but if you can, look at what professional tradesmen use, and generally quality costs. So buy the best you can afford, and buy tools as you need them, and thinking about how much you will use them in future.

I agree with that. That is pretty much how I built up my tools over the last 30 years or so. It's better to buy a few good quality tools than a load of cheap stuff. I also buy better quality tools for things I'll use more often such as a 10mm and 13mm spanner or precision things like torque wrenches.

You can get tools from tool auctions, Some clearance companies sell them cheap too. I have a brand new pair of wire strippers with a retail value of £20 and I paid £2 at a clearance company for them.