Okay - how do you………

[MacAttack]

…organize your tools?

My garage is nearly brand new and I’ve got a butt-load of boxes and three (small) roll-aways full of tools, nuts, bolts, parts and miscellaneous "stuff" to get straight.

Do you have a catalog system, peg boards, computer file or, like me - a very fuzzy memory? Reason this came up: Bought some 9/16 Grade 8 bolts and safety nuts for my boat trailer fix at Osh over the week end and, of course, once I completed the job - found everything I’d just bought in the bottom of one of my tool boxes.

How much time (pull-the-drawer out, push-the-drawer-back-in) do you think you’ve blown in all the years you’ve been wrenching, looking for something - when you could have been drinking beer?

* Some pictures of your "system" would be helpful.

Thanks, Mac.

[retodd7711]

The quickest way to find a "lost" part or tool is to go buy a replacement.
You will find that sucker within 5 minutes of returning home.

[MacAttack]

Originally Posted by retodd7711

The quickest way to find a "lost" part or tool is to go buy a replacement.
You will find that sucker within 5 minutes of returning home.

Yeah, unfortunately - I have a PhD in that discipline.

[fastwillie 696969]

nuts and bolts i put in coffee can plastic

[mclairmo]

Garage floor, that's where I store all my tools. Makes it easy to find them. Just start walking around and look down.

[MacAttack]

Maybe I just need to have a garage sale before setting my work benches and racks up?

Mac.

[robin58]

Everything has a theoretical place in my shed/shop: hand tools all have brackets mounted on wall (grouped), saws hang up, power tools have another area, storage bins for nuts+bolts, slide out drawers for rivets, wire connectors, small nuts/bolts/screws etc. But everything just seems to accumulate on the pool table.

Lately though I have had to make it a habit of putting things back more often so I can find the missing tool.

And most nuts and bolts I store at the local hardware store still it seems. I never do find the ones I bought to finish a job.

[MacAttack]

Originally Posted by robin58

I never do find the ones I bought to finish a job.

Yeah - I can relate. I've even resorted to incremental purchases (once a week) of those 'Plano' boxes at Wal-Mart...



Then I label them and put them in a drawer - so they'll be lost again.

Until I go buy some more.

[El Jay]

Back in the olden days my garage looked like the wreck of the Hesperus (not as bad as it does now though), but I knew where everything was.

Favorite Son, being the kind of kid that he is decided to help ol' dad & "cleaned" the garage & put everything away, nice & neat.
It took me months to find stuff, & I still have stuff turning up.
If I'm lyin', I'm dyin'; it was a good 6 months, or more, before I stumbled across my rod heater. I had all but accused him of selling it.

[MacAttack]

Originally Posted by El Jay

I had all but accused him of selling it.

Oh Man, that's funny!

[cdowns]

i use a brunch of cheap $1 toolboxes to put my specialty tools in // pullers ,taps and dies, electrical work, brake work,,presion measuring and layout, drills, allen wrenches and torx etc then i have one medium size rollaway for wrenches screwdrivers plyers and other common everyday stuff

[100%Chevy]

It's impossible to organize a garage!
Don't waste your time,just memmorize where you left it yesterday!
Believe me,if you actually do work in there,you'll know where everything is.
And if everything is neat and orderly,it makes it easier for the thieves to choose the expensive stuff.
In my shop(50'x75')I'm trying to put everything on wheels or hang it on the walls.If it's on the floor,it will be in the way-hence the wheels.
I have an old magazine rack that spins.It holds about 24 full size coffee cans with hardware(the U-Pull-Its here will give you hardware with parts purchase).
Plus I have a "Shelf" that's 6'wide and 50'long and 6' high down one side that is for the big light weight stuff---seats,bumpers,doors,trunk lids,etc.
Don't forget to add for future storage of stuff you don't have yet!
That's about it~~~!
Mike.

http://www.picturetrail.com/100chevy

[Richard8971]

Organize?

D

[Sub-versive]

Originally Posted by Richard8971

Organize?

D

Yeah, someday.

[72lb4x4]

Since having my tools stolen once, I use the distributed toolbox concept... They're everywhere.

The thieves will now need to raid the fridge for lunch.

[LONGHAIR]

I keep my stuff somewhat organized (grouped together) but what it the tool actually does and slightly by "where it fits" in the drawers or cabinets. I use mine all day, 10 hours a day.....I could tell you where anything I have is stored at any time.

Back when the shop caught fire, almost a year ago, I made my initial estimate for the insurance company from memory.....one drawer at a time. I did have some pictures, but my memory and organization was more complete than those. My stuff was destroyed but identify-able and after going over it with the guy, my original list was well over 90% accurtate.

I would say that logic and repitition are the best way to keep stuff straight.....and put it back when you are done.

[glock35ipsc]

I have several of these from Harbor Freight for nuts, bolts, washers, electrical connectors, etc. I write on the front of them what's in them with a Sharpie.



For larger stuff, parts, I have racks just like these from Sam's Club (not mine, but identical). I also have a bunch of inexpensive plastic Rubbermaid-type tubs from Walmart to keep like parts in. Or when I had the 68 torn down, everything got put in a Zip lock, labeled, and put in a tub.



I keep larger parts in a big storage shed out back of the shop.

Tools are all organized in two different tool boxes, so I can go right to the drawer that has the tools I need. Ex: in one box, the top drawer has screwdrivers on the right side; drill bits, screw tips, and allen wrenches in the middle; and punches on the left. Next drawer is all wrenches. Next drawer is electrical related tools and tape measures. Next drawer is all sockets, ratchets, extensions, and all of the pliers/strippers/cutters/etc. Next drawer is all air tools, except for the 1/2" stuff (that has it's own drawer). And so on, and so on......

I'm pretty anal about keeping my shop clean and organized, although it is a mess right now. And it's driving me nuts! Saturday is a clean up day before I pull the engine/trans out of my truck!!

[MacAttack]

Damn! Bob's got a shop! Now that's what I'm talking about!

[72BlckButy]

Check out.... Garage Journal for all the information you will need about organizing your garage. Some of these guy's take organization to an entirely new level.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/

[robin58]

Originally Posted by MacAttack

Damn! Bob's got a shop! Now that's what I'm talking about!

Yup and his has a floor. Can't remember the last time I saw mine