Tool organization has been a hot retail segment in recent years, with more brands jumping into the modular tool box market.
There has never been so many different systems of tool boxes, parts organizers, drawers, bags, and accessories as right now. It’s great to have more option.
And let’s not forget about the foam tool tray trend either. European-style foam tool trays are pretty hot right now, with multiple brands launching an increasing number of options.
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With all that in mind, here’s how to organize your tools, parts, supplies, and other gear.
Let’s get started. Step 1: BUY SOME STUFF? NO, that’s an example of what NOT to do, at least at first.
The best way to organize your tools or other work gear is to think about where you spend time and effort.
Step 1: Identify Where You Spend Unnecessary Time and Effort
Step 2: Plan How to Eliminate Waste or Improve Convenience
Step 3: Shop for or Make Your Own Solutions
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I’ve got my wrenches tossed into a tool box drawer, arranged by size. Sure, a fancy organizer that popped up in my social media feed might make my wrench drawer look neater, but I really don’t spend much time or effort grabbing the size I need. I could better organize my wrench drawer, but I don’t need to.
Meanwhile, I don’t have an easy time grabbing fasteners for projects. I keep them in individual boxes, but sometimes the boxes aren’t returned to where they need to be. So, that’s something I need to work on – finding a permanent home for say my #10-32 socket head cap screws.
Let’s say you have tools and fasteners all tossed into a single tool bag, but you don’t always need everything together. You can split them up.
Where are you wasting time, effort, or money? Where can you improve convenience?
Find your problem areas and then seek out solutions. There are new tool storage and organizational products launching all the time. While many of these products are similar to what’s come before, some are solving existing problems in very new ways.
It’s still important to keep apprised of what’s out there. If you do need a new wrench set, it’s good to know there are some highly portable kits that come with convenient holders.
Or maybe you want nesting trays for a workshop tool chest or cabinet.
But the process should still be the same.
Step 1: Identify Where You Spend Unnecessary Time and Effort
Step 2: Plan How to Eliminate Waste or Improve Convenience
Step 3: Shop for or Make Your Own Solutions
Repeat as necessary.
With how popular modular tool box systems have become, people are buying into Milwaukee Packout, ToughBuilt StackTech, and other such systems, and then they try to make things work.
Would you buy tools before you know how you’d use them? Sorry, this could be a poor example, as many folks do that too.
It’s perfectly okay to look at a product and think “oh, that’d really help me organize my kit!” But were you thinking about how to save time or energy before a new product was flashed in front of you?
8 years ago I bought a 3 quart Instant Pot for $49 at Amazon. I heard so many great things about it, and what it can do. Over a few months I had formed ideas about what I might use one for. There was a Black Friday deal, and I went ahead and ordered one. It was too small for soups or chilis, and was never the best way to cook the type of meals I prep. I gave it away last year, new-in-box.
I bought the Instant Pot electric pressure cooker after researching and learning what it could be used for, but I didn’t have a specific plan for how I would use it, or how it might save me time or effort on the types of meals I typically prepare.
It’s easy to find appeal in new organizational tools and supplies. But before you spend any money, be sure new products will ease your problems.
Organization should be an ongoing process.
There’s a new garage storage system hitting the market, with claims that it is “transforming homes, offices, and shops” and will help you “reclaim your space.” However, almost everything they’re doing has already been done before.
It’s a slightly different take on existing solutions, and while it looks good for a ready-to-assemble system, it’s not as amazing as influencers likely eager for a sponsorship check or free workshop makeover have been saying.
Take control of your organization, and revisit it on occasion.
Pros don’t buy hype, they buy solutions to problems they’ve identified.
It’s also important to realize that needs and wants can change. Storage and organizational solutions that once worked well for me are no longer efficient, and I’ve been reluctant to adapt.
Efficient organization begins with intent and mindset. Spending money, whether on new products or materials for DIY solutions, comes later.
Robert
What’s not to like? Your 3 steps can be seen as a generalization of the Military “Observe, Orient, Decide, Act” OODA loop. Seems logical. Or as an Aussie NCO told us, “Means, ‘think before you act,’ Yanks.”
randy
While you’re observing orienting deciding and acting, the grunts are just doing shut until something works. Same goes for jobsite organization.
RS
Honestly the whole construction industry could learn a lot from Toyota’s Lean Manufacturing principles and with regards to their tool kits, 5S.
Jared
I find it helpful to organize one type of tool at a time. E.g. just my locking pliers or just wrench drawer (looking at you Stuart – I can’t imagine working like that).
Density is pretty important to me – but not in an way that compromises access (you can probably achieve the highest density by just tossing everything into an unorganized bin afterall). Having your wrenches stored on edge (like those V-series sets do) saves space, same thing for sockets (e.g. Ernst trays).
I also prefer modularity, when possible, so I can grab sets of tools or reorganize. I like being able to grab a socket tray with all my 3/8″ sockets (short, tall, 6pt, 12pt, etc) for example, so I can have it beside me while I work.
Stuart
The Craftsman V-series wrench – which is Facom’s – and Milwaukee’s are great for portability, more so than wrench rolls, but not so much within drawers.
Jared
I use my sets in a drawer – and outside of it. I keep the holder unfolded in the drawer (which is probably what makes you think it isn’t for use in a drawer), and it’s no big deal to lift a wrench out of the holder while the case stays put.
I actually really like working that way, because sometimes I just grab the set and take to whatever part of the vehicle I’m working on, other times I know what size I need and just grab the single wrench.
In my shop I have Proto wrenches in tool widget vertical magnetic holders – some people might prefer that since you can lift out a wrench without resistance. I’ve found I actually like using my much-cheaper Craftsman sets (CMMT87300V (12pc SAE), CMMT87325V (12pc metric) and CMMT87375V (8pc metric ratchet)) MORE just because of their portability. I think the case is great!
Joe H
Or just throw your tools in various buckets and when you can’t find something just blame your kids or the new guy. Works even if you don’t have any kids. Eventually you just end up buying the tools you can’t find, grumbling through the whole process. Tis the perfect system. (Goes out to a cliff edge and sings “The Circle of Tools”.)
Evan
I work alone and have no kids. But, I am a middle school teacher by day and carpenter on weekends. I now see the solution to my problems – hire a kid and blame them! Ha!
Saulac
Applying the process, in my case:
1: Unnecessary Time and Effort to locate/return/organize tools and materials,
2: Plan: Have a home store and a core tool box.
A home store: Logistic is a science, learn how stores are organized and replicate it to your shop/garage/home. Ask yourself “What area/aisle would I find this in HD?” then organize your stuff accordingly. You will be surprised how this helps locate something months later.
A core tool box: Your best tools, including power tools, that can do 80% of the jobs. Trade guys do not use gadgets. They have the best tools and learn how live with what they can carry. You will be surprised how much you can do with just some essential, if they are the best tools and you are familiar with them. Example is my Knipex Cobra.
3: Own Solutions:
Home store: Plastic totes with attached lid, Dewalt/HF part organizer.
Core tool box: Stacktech boxes with hand/power tools and accessories.
MM
I like the “store department” organizational system. I never really planned it that way intentionally but I use tote bins to organize spare parts/materials and specialty tools I don’t use very often, and the labeling just so happens to match the departments that Ace Hardware uses. Electrical, Plumbing, Hardware, Paint/sundries, Garden (goes in shed, not tote), Automotive… I’ve invented a couple of my own too: I have a separate tote for “Electronics” parts separate from home/building electrical, another for Computer-related stuff, and so on.
I also agree about striving to avoid gadgets. In my opinion, you can do a lot more work, more efficiently, with a small number of quality tools than you can with a vast array of “as seen on TV” gizmos. Quality over quantity.
fred
Organizing is one of those things that seems a bit more like an ongoing journey rather than a destination. We are blessed (or cursed?) to live in an era where innovation results in change. Two-hundred years ago a journeyman carpenter/fitter probably could build a tool chest that carefully and cleverly stored all the hand tools that he was likely to need over the course of his career. Then innovations in tool designs and materials started taking off. Wooden planes got replaced by metal-body ones for a start. Then electric motors started replacing muscle-power – and so on.
What we are called to work on also changes over time – often requiring new tools to either improve productivity – or even just to get the job done. I think of the tools I bought for bicycle repair in the 1950’s versus what I’ve bought in the years since. In our fabrication shop – we often needed to purchase some specialized tool to accommodate work on some aircraft assembly. In that shop we were also very cognizant about efficient tool storage and the need to spot missing tools (part of our FOD process) upon work completion. We had an employee who ran our tool room and parts storage – who had the job of keeping things organized. I would expect that there might be a few similarities in other industrial facilities – or even in larger auto repair shops.
Meanwhile, in our GC/Remodeling business – we had bought a number of vans and trucks upfitted with tool and materials storage systems. With each iteration – we tried to further customize what we bought (we used Dejana as an upfitter) – but our striving for perfection was not unlike a Grail Quest. My commercial experience predates Packout – but we had tried Sortimo and systainer systems with mixed emotions.
Despite all that experience – trying to cross-pollinate with our plumbing business – was less successful. While the guys liked built-in truck bins and cubbyholes for parts storage – tools often just got tossed into 5gal buckets
Jared
That’s a good point. I’m trying to organize in modular sets specifically because I’ve found that my needs change over time and I don’t want to be stuck to particular layouts.
It’s one of the reasons I’ve moved away from tool foam – though that can really be nice to work out of. It’s super time-consuming to do manually and, once you finish, you’re stuck with the layout and won’t have room for a new tool. I still use it sometimes, but I don’t do full drawers anymore. Now I just do “sets” of things, so I can lift them out and reposition.
fred
Shadow boards and foam tray liners were just one part of our ISO certified FOD and overall Quality Management System. Leaving some random driver bit around at home or dropped down a wall at some jobsite may not be a big deal. But leaving the same bit to rattle around in an assembly going into an aircraft can be deadly. You take pains to account for every tool and part that was used and that they all ended up in their right place at the completion of the work. Sometimes the most space-efficient storage solution can get in the way of finding the right tools, putting them back in their place when done and verifying that all is as it should be.
James
Much appreciate the continuous improvements tales.
As someone on their own impossible journey for mobile perfection, it’s reassuring to be reminded that it’s about the journey 🙂
Bob
Organization is a great excuse—err, reason—to buy a 3d printer. I print a ton of organization stuff, including for my wrenches. The cost per print is so low that I can try different things without concern.
Doresoom
Same here – I’d say about 75% of my prints are for tool organization.
I’ve designed so many Gridfinity and/or French cleat tool holders!
And I can make them fit my tool sets exactly, like this one I made for my Wera 60RA screwdriver set: https://www.makeronline.com/en/model/Wera%20French%20Cleat%20Screwdriver%20Holder%20V2/153954.html
chip hershberger
Organization is quickly finding a tool or fastener ,even if it’s the apprentice … when given a specific compartment and location.
It should be intuitive, and not a pin nailer and welding gloves in the same space.
Can you tell at a glance if it is missing?
Is your system adaptable to changing out old tooling for new.
Mobile is totally different then shop
storage…for example.
New arc fault breakers constantly trip,sharing 1 or 2 breakers with other trades or a temp panel on new construction is 200 ft away from your work area…while equipment is running through the mud over your extension cords.
Being fully cordless avoids all the above issues, but tools are heavier ,requiring many batteries and is probably 4x the cost..and requires more storage.
In my case of cabinet installs is well worth 30 minutes saved per day.
In the end not coiling up extension cords in the rain and mud,or tool control comes at a price…your value of time has its own bell curve.
Al
Pressure cooker has taken over the jobs for:
– rice cooker
– vegetable steamer insert for pot
– boiling eggs
– corn on the cob
– most crockpot and stew recipes
I bought first: magnetic tool holders, the kind that are just a V-shape. Toolbox Widget, but now Tekton is now selling their own.
They sat for a long time because I only had a handful. Not enough for even one drawer if tools.
Just need to reach a critical point where the new organization will have significant impact, and not just consume more space because of incomplete deployment. Tool Widget was too expensive to buy many dozens. Tekton appears to be cheap enough to make an impact.
Try to replace/remove with any new additions. We’re finally recycling the rice cooker. Already recycled the steamer basket.
This weekend, I’ll replace those rubbery wrench racks and arrange wrenches for maximum density.
Good luck.
Stuart
That’s my point! Like the Instant Pot, some storage solutions have huge potential, but not necessarily *for me*.
I’m seeing marketers and influencers leaning towards “you NEED this!” language. And yes, a lot of the new doodads and products look cool, but I worry too many people are making emotional purchasing decisions based solely on marketing hype.
I like Tekton’s organizers and ordered a few to test out. Will be trying their new low profile ones as well.
William Adams
I’ve always thought this blog post summed things up well:
https://bridgerberdel.wordpress.com/2015/01/08/thoughts-on-tool-organization-and-storage/comment-page-1/
For my part, still working on this — one thing which has helped is to accept a bit of duplication.
James
That post is great. Thanks!
eddiesky
Good post!
I was also going to suggest a Grab Box of frequently used tools, and just for those (can have duplicates in main storage). In other words, I need to take apart a smith machine, weight bench, and rack in my basement. All my impacts and wrenches are in the garage (seems a day away). If I had a small box with just common sockets and wrenches of stuff in the house, it would save me so much time.
Maybe a question for all y’all is: I’m going to sell my home. Should I sell my tools and begin fresh? While I do have some legacy Craftsman, and all tools are paid for.. I will be renting for a year and storage may cost me more than the tools. And by tools I mean mechanic tools, woodworking (no HP-motor devices) painting and tiling tools. I mean I have more tools than clothes and furniture. LOL.. I will keep sentimental tools like the Stanley hand plane that was my father’s that I restored. But should I pay to store nail guns, tracksaw, …
William Adams
Given that tools and other durable goods are likely to be increasing in price for the foreseeable future, my inclination would be to pay to store them.
The usual recommendation for tool organization is to clear a surface and as tools are used, place them on said surface all in a line along the far edge — if a tool is used an additional time, move it one space towards the near edge — after a period of time, it should be obvious which tools are used, and how often they are used, and storage can be arranged for to match.
Yes, a “frequently used tool” bag or roll or box is a great idea, and can often form the core of a tool setup — I have two, one for normal tools, the other for small/precision tools.
John
Honestly I’d recommend selling a lot of it. You can do the math but when you’re paying $100-200 per month, every month you’re basically paying the price of a tool or two for… nothing. That’s thousands of dollars every year. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned from friends with storage units is that getting stuff out seems to be a huge hassle because the never actually do it.
Bob
OR you find new uses for the tools/ instant pot after you get it. Like softening up meat bones that otherwise go in the garbage so you can chop up into a slurry and feed to dogs. I get discounted tools all the time that may sit a while before going into the perfect solution matrix
Stuart
I thought I would, but I didn’t. I still could, in which case I can always order one again.
I remember a deal post in an online forum a while back where 15″ floor standing drill presses were on sale for lower than usual. If I recall correctly, it was a Ridgid drill press from Home Depot, but there’s a chance I’m misremembering and it was a Craftsman from Sears. One post stood out to me, where someone bought one, boasted about the deal, and then remarked “what can I do with it?”
Richard
As a prosumer handyperson, I get caught up balancing out carrying too much or too little. It’s hard to know what a job will call for until I’ve done it. Right now I’ve got a Packout backpack. A tool belt and crate that gets me 90% of most jobs and then the Packout small parts organizer for consumables (screws etc.) and the slightly larger ones for “specialty” tools (one for rotary, one for jigsaw, etc.)
This is good for getting to and from the work, but while I’m doing the work, if the tools I need don’t fit in my belt then they end up sprawling everywhere. The backpack is great for carrying a lot, but I can’t pull something out and then put it back in the same spot when I’m done easy enough, so I end up hunting “where did I put tool X” or if I try to put it back, then I end up sliding a giant backpack around just to swap between two tiny tools. The structured totes look like nice options, but the prices are eye watering. I’m also not sure I can fit everything in one, and it seems silly to carry two.
Any suggestions?
Stuart
That’s a tough one, and brings to mind the maintenance tech at one of my old apartments. Each building had 3 levels with stairs, and the tech said they rarely knew what they were walking into. They had a backpack and anything that didn’t fit required a return trip.
Structured totes are really popular for a reason, but they’re also very heavy. The new backpacks might be worth a look if you can find some in person.
Frank D
Shelving and lots of it.
A good number of shelves for infrequent needs tools. Not just four shelves to a rack but 6 to 12. Per type of work ( plumbing, electrical, painting, carpentry, … )
For direct visual and instant grab access.
No doors or drawers needed.
Same thing for infrequent need & surplus parts. Two dedicated racks.
Some tools in drawers, but not many. Mostly mechanical.
For the rest. Anything that needs to be mobile lives in a stackable tool boxes.
Primary tool kit is in a modified packout stack, with foam inserts + necessities in the boxes, with basic extras and whole stack of packout organizers, mini store of essential hardware, fasteners, etc to do a great many common tasks, using with modified and custom cups & 3d inserts.
Then extra boxes, either per task with extra consumables, solo ( think oscillating tool, grinder, … ) or per logical group ( example nailers & glue guns in a box )
Stuff that does not need an expensive or custom box, will live in open baskets, open bags of grab and go tools ( electrical, plumbing, mechanical, … ) followed by a stackable and rollable series of big organizers for bulk fasteners, electrical, plumbing, …
It is a work in progress and never ending challenge and adventure in some ways to deal with the ever evolving changing tool and supply family. ( and I need to downsize and cull surplus and what not )
But at least all my essentials are quite dialed in; and the rest lives in logical places. If need be, I can load up a truck with any needed custom collection of tools in a couple of hours.
Joe
Stuart, I am a little late on this reply, but your tag line states, “Some of you will not like my take on this.” I feel strongly that you should not downplay your opinion. If people do not like it, they can put years on late night research and review “chances” on putting their opinion or ”take” on a subject. But only after they spend years of having a successful blog. Most of us look up to you and your opinion and you should not look towards or at negative comments. You are a humble gentleman, but don’t sell yourself short . Thank you for years of blogging as the only one I follow.
Stuart
Thanks, I appreciate that! This was a tough one, as I feel my opinion strays from what has become an increasingly popular trend. I’ve fallen into the same hole before.
Dissent is good as long as arguments are supported and defended.
Greg
Sort, Straighten/Set, Shine, Standardize, Sustain
5S the tools!
Jason
I have one defining rule when searching for a tool that I cannot find. Once I find it, I make sure to place it in the first location that I looked. I figure that is where I logically will think to look again next time and where I should have had it in the first place.
Stuart
I like that idea!