Troy wrote in with a question about how to best organize his home workshop tools.
Do you or your readers have any opinions on the best way to organize power tools? I’m having trouble storing the odd shapes, batteries, and chargers in such a way that they are reasonably accessible.
I have big storage shelves in my shop, but things get cluttered and laid on top of one another on the big shelves. It seems like a cubby system is more appropriate.
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Along the same lines, do people set up “charging stations” in their home shops? If so, how? Right now my work bench is littered with the various chargers I need for my tools, which is adding clutter and taking up valuable bench space.
My setup has changed, and will be different given the sheer number of tools that come in and go out for testing, but the best storage configuration I had involved wire shelving.
I used to keep power tools in their cases on the shelf when not in use, and on or under my workbench when in use or active for a project.
Wire shelving is cheap, it’s free-standing, and it offers a good level of adjustability. I tossed out all of my blow-molded tool cases in recent years, in favor of L-Boxxes, Systainers, and Tough System cases. A lot of tools also come in soft cases these days, which makes it more difficult to find a place for every tool.
For my use, I would avoid a cubby-type system for three reasons.
First, a cubby-type system is an invitation to get chips and sawdust everywhere. More enclosed surfaces means more nooks and crannies to clean.
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Second, tool boxes makes it easier for me to keep a couple of accessories with each tool. Things like edge guides and basic bits and blades can get more easily misplaced if left out of a cubby is sized just for a tool.
Third, if a cubby is sized for a specific tool, there’s not much flexibility to move tools around. Let’s say you upgrade from a 6-1/2″ cordless saw to a new 7-1/4″ brushless model. There might not be room for the larger saw in a cubby built for the smaller one. I suppose the same could be said about a modular tool box that is purchased for the smaller saw.
Cubbies do work for a lot of people though. I like tool boxes, which I guess could be considered as stackable and portable cubbies.
As for batteries, I keep ’em in stacked plastic containers, but then again I’m a different case. The batteries I use most often are in a small wooden cabinet. I keep maybe a dozen chargers on a shelf in a closet, and others I keep in a huge bin. The one or two chargers I use most often are on the floor near an outlet, or on the workbench.
One of these days I’ve been meaning to mount my chargers on a shelf above my workbench, but I too haven’t come up with an ideal arrangement. Many chargers have key-hole mounting points on their undersides and/or rear.
When I move to a larger workshop, I will plan for a narrow power tool station, either free-standing or above a workbench, with a row or two of chargers, and an area where batteries can be safely stored. I only wish power tool storage was easier to plan for.
There are a lot of ideas via Google Image Search, with the neatest arrangements involving similar tool types, such as a cordless drill, impact driver, screwdriver, and impact wrench all lined up together.
But when you start adding in bulkier tools, such as jigsaw, circular saw, reciprocating saw, and other vastly different tools, cordless or corded, special arrangement schemes lose their appeal and traditional shelves become more practical.
If you have a particularly nice-looking organizational setup, please link to or send in your images! Comments and advice are of course welcome and appreciated.
If you could plan a workshop from scratch (as this would give you the most creative freedoms), how would you organize your power tools, and how would you set up your cordless chargers and batteries?
Josh
I’m a big fan of a dedicated charging station, with several keyhole mounted chargers attached to a board; possibly with an attached power strip. Set it up on an otherwise unused wall near an outlet so it’s close enough to be convenient while not taking up workspace or floorspace.
Standardizing on one or two battery systems helps too; as do the mult port chargers. Nothing wrong with a bunch of single port chargers though!
Tom
http://sawdustgirl.com/2014/07/28/rolling-air-compressor-and-tool-organizing-work-cart/
I saw these plans for a rolling tool cart recently and think that this may be a great solution for someone looking for mobility.
John
I kinda like it except that it is pretty bulky for what it carries. Mobility in and out of a house with stairs could be an issue too but pretty easily fixed by using 8″ or 10″ wheels like from a handtruck on the handle end of the cart.
Nathan
my 2 favorite organization items.
1) build in shelve on those metal rails with notches for adjustments. you see them over by the closet and shelf stuff. metal rails with 2 slots in many positions. I made up some shelves with those – but I also took the time to notch my boards around the rails so that they close off against the wall. IE nothing can roll off the back.
2) bought some surplus 4 drawer filing cabinets – must have been built in the 60’s. roller ball slides – full pull out drawers – locking. I even labeld them. got both for 60 dollars all I had to do was pick up and haul away. so I borrowed dad’s truck and got 3 of em. 2 for me and one for him. wished I had gotten 5.
fred
While not as enigmatic as “what is the meaning of life”, boy is this a good question – in the tradition of classical good questions that probably have no perfect answer. I think the problem is that tool storage is a bit of a moveable target. Having collected tools since the 1960’s I’ve seen a lot of different storage solutions come and go. The same can be said for what I consider my go-to tools. When I moved into my current house – I converted a large (2400 square foot) mostly finished basement (3 rooms) into a large shop, compressor/storage room and a laundry/utility room). 3 foot deep closets – with shelves and sliding doors were installed along the short ends of the shop and other 2 rooms. Pegboard was hung (I also tried some slat wall – but found it did not hold up well), benches were built, wiring and lighting was upgraded, machinery moved in and hooked up to dust collection etc. Power tools that I used most were grouped together (as best I could) by task and stored on shelves and/or under my 3 benches – in their cases (old ones were typically steel boxes – newer ones came with blow-molded cases). Over the years some tools got moved to storage – closets, shelves in the garage etc. being replaced by newer tools. The problem was that old versus new boxes and cases were of different sizes – so packing factors became an issue. I also found that a basement shop – even with big double-door egress to the outside was not ideal – so some machinery took over my 3 car garage. Naturally tools got moved to metal shelving in the garage. From my business experience I decided that keeping an inventory was a good idea to know where I had put things – computerizing it more and more –starting in the 1980’s. Shelving which was once made of oak boards – was added to with steel prefabricated shelves – and then open wire shelving.
I still like the oak – in some places – but if I were to start over – it would probably all be Closet Maid wire shelving – and the closets might not be as deep. Over the years I also built and/or bought a number of rolling carts/cabinets to support things like a sanding station, a grinding station, a router table etc. These have storage space in which I keep tools and supplies related to what’s positioned on top. What I like about these is that they can be rolled out of the way when not in use. My recent Festool (track saw and Domino 700) and some Bosch purchases have made me a fan of their modular storage boxes – and with the 2 Festool systems (Main tool plus accessories and supplies) – I’ve got the boxes mounted on Festool dollies – so they too can be moved about the shop. Going forward, if everything came in these style boxes – organizing the shop might be easier – but market an tool-size diversity is not likely to make that a practicality.
When I was working more assiduously for a living, we used to employ Knaack Boxes on many jobsites, We would fit out their interiors with wooden partitions making storage slots/cubbyholes for their contents – including power tools in their cases. What was nice about this was – we could eyeball them at the end of the workday – and see what was missing (hopefully left in a corner somewhere) and then correct the situation before we locked up for the night.
Allen
Those plastic boxes go to Goodwill as soon as I unpack the tools. Just a one-man band so tools are kept where they are used.
John
I was lucky enough to be able to pick up three 48″ wide x 84″ tall x 16″ deep sets of metal shelving from a materials lab we were demolishing on a job this past summer along with a number of adjustable / removeable shelves and related hardware for them. Timing was also right that I had free access to a free truck to haul them home with. I could have done my entire garage with heavy duty metal lab casework if I wanted but 1. the base cabinets were rusty and beat up and 2. my access to a truck before demo was only enough for 1 trip the night before the building came down. I was able to do a decent cleaning of the cabinets I picked up and get them in place to use but they have some light surface rust in places so a repaint is on the agenda for this summer.
My garage has a 14″ high concrete curb that is 3-4″ inside of the drywall on all sides so I built a base out of 2x lumber and CDX plywood to keep them tight to the wall and give up as little floor space as possible.
So far, I have unit set up for various project tool kits and supplies – i.e. a shelf for electrical, a shelf for plumbing, a shelf for painting, and so on. One unit is all power tools in their cases. The third unit is a mix of miscellaneous items like car detailing supplies, a cheap portable tile saw that rarely gets used, and some other stuff that needs to be sorted (ran out of time before winter). The top of the three units gives me a 12 ft long shelf for bulky stuff that doesn’t get used very often like my car ramps, a set of jackstands, 3 extra Dewalt Tstaks, and 4 extra Bosch L-Boxxes that I can think of off hand.
My biggest complaint is that most power tool cases are deeper than the 15″ useable depth of these cabinets so making doors to keep the contents clean isn’t going to be possible if I want to keep storing what I have in them.
ktash
One thing I just did recently was to use several CD file boxes to organize my sandpaper. It made a huge difference. Now I can see at a glance if I’m running out or find the right grit immediately. Takes less space, too. I got them as a closeout, but here are some similar to the ones I got on a different website. They were about $10 each when I got them. http://www.containerstore.com/shop/storage/likeitModularStorageSystem?productId=10034766&green=9A33CCAA-D731-5F6B-0A17-7278CBB6908A
I also put sanding belts in a couple of these and plan to put sheets in one that I’ve used for keeping paper in. It’s a different shape, more like a paper tray. They pull out easily and stack together. Right now I have them on a closet shelf.
I used to keep discs in their boxes with the grits marked on the end in a plastic shoebox. It was always a pain because those cardboard boxes are all different sizes, etc.
I really like the systainers and the l-boxxes but am just starting to orgnize those on plastic shelves. I’m starting to get more when the sales are on like just recently over the holidays. I’m not as keen on the toughboxes because they are odd shapes and tool large for compact storage. They are good quality though and if you have to lug things on construction sites would be the best. I do home woodworking so not so good for me.
I am just finishing the Multi function table cart and like it for my small space. I made mine to different dimensions in order to use my L-boxxes with it. Systainers will fit, too. I like being able to bring different boxes to the workbench based on what I’m working on. They then become drawers. My workspace is limited and this seems like a good solution. I’ve begun to use it though there are still some finishing touches and it’s very handy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5YzIwK-g0E
ktash
I forgot the mention that the CD file boxes for sanding disc have dividers and that makes it easy to find the grit. If you do something similar you can make your own dividers. I also had a systainer for storing sanding discs, but it did not make good use of the space compared to this. I’d rather use it for something else.
rob
My setup isn’t nearly as fancy as some of those above. I like keeping my power tools in the cases they came with. I will label each case as to what tool it is and if it’s 120v/or battery powered. I like to keep my tools organized together-saws are on one shelf, my 18v tools are all stored on one shelf together, 10/12v are stored together etc. I tend to like the cases because if I need a tool I can grab it and take it to the place it’s needed or easily transport it in my truck to another location. I also like the cases because they keep the dust out of the tools when not in use. Being my garage is opened 3-8xs a day the dust that can blow in is a lot.
As for the chargers I usually put them away when not in use, the only one(s) that stay out are the 18v charger and my charger for my outdoor gardening tools that tend to be charged every 2-3 usees.
jeff_williams
This is what I use to organize my drills and drivers. The are mounted about 6 inches out from the wall so I can leave whatever bits in there. The Kreg bits are particularly long so this allows me to keep them loaded without contacting the wall.
Quick Drill Storage Solution – I’m a contributing editor for a fellow tool site, this link is to an article I wrote.
Blythe M
For all you guys just chucking your blow molded cases, try selling them on eBay first. You can easily get $30-$50 per case depending on the tool
Hang Fire
This is a timely post as I have been reorganizing my workshops.
I think everyone agrees that factory blow-molded boxes are usually useless. I save them in the attic for resale time on eBay. For some reason used tool buyers want that “new tool” out-of-box opening experience. As a plus, the boxes are primarily designed for shipping.
Boxes, even L-Boxxes, are not for me. They are expensive, hide what is inside, and require labeling. I have one, and it is in the attic. For me, it is important that the most-used tools be both visible and accessible. I can understand why some like them. Stuart is a “special case” since at any moment he many need to pull down a previous model for examination, or do a 5 brand comparison of one type of tool. My needs are different.
I make a few exceptions for once-a-year specialty tools, like the Drill Doctor or the automobile buffer. These live in their blow-mold cases on a storage closet shelf. Another blow-mold stored tool is my compression tester, simply because the blow-mold case is efficiently sized, fits in my tool chest, and organizes the many small accessories well.
My priorities are simple: Store like things together, and keep most-used things handy. I follow these principals relentlessly.
I keep most-used power tools right on top of workbenches, on pegboards, on rolling stands on the garage floor, or otherwise right where I can grab them. My most-used tools are the Bosch 18v drill/driver, impact driver, impact wrench, and corded jigsaw, they live on top of a workbench. My Hakko soldering iron lives on top of the electronics workbench beside the anti-static mat. My DVM lives in the top drawer of that workbench, and so on.
If it’s an automobile tool and it fits in my 6 foot high rolling tool chest stack, that’s where it goes, period. The only exception is liquid tools like grease guns, fluid pumps and specialty funnels, because they can be messy, can cause rust, and/or are very large. They go beside the plumbing tools on the pegboard above a bench or a shelf right under that bench. I have only one place to look for “liquid handling”.
Large hardware goes into a Durham 359-95 metal cubby system that I found at a yard sale. It is recessed 3/4 foot under a workbench to minimize sawdust collection. Small hardware goes into a 50 akro-bin sized metal drawer system bolted to the wall. Together these have transformed my fastener collection over the past year.
For home jobs like blinds, drapes, picture mounting, door closers, light electrical work, I keep a 12V deWalt drill/screwdriver/impact driver set in a tool sack along with a driving bit set, drill set, bullet level, mounting hardware assortment, tape measure, pencil and stud finder.
Each car has a tool bag that prioritizes small size and large contents over organization. If I break down on the road, I’d rather have a tool in a pile in the bag then have a huge well-organized tool chest missing that tool. Each car also has another small bag with jumper cables, brake fluid, flares, first aid kit, etc. Each bag has to be as small and hidden as possible or I will find it sitting on the side of the garage.
Jerry
I got a couple old steel cabinets with doors pretty cheap a while back, and stacked them one atop the other. The top shelf has a power strip inside, and a row of chargers. A multi port charger would save a bit of space, but I just lined up 4 single chargers that came with the tools alongside each other. The space behind the chargers is where I put a few of my once a year use tools, and duplicate accessories. By that I mean I may have extra drill bits in frequently used (broken) sizes, odd adapters I have accumulated that I got for one or two uses and may or may not need again, that sort of thing. This keeps the electricity out of the kid’s reach.
Next shelf down, are my go-to cordless tools. The cabinet is deep enough to put most used accessories behind the tool. For example, my cordless drill stands up along one side, with a twist drill and spade bit set rit behind it. On the other side stands my impact driver, with a couple sets of impact bits behind it. In the middle of the shelf is my cordless angle grinder, extra disks behind it. Behind that, I keep my occasionally used angle drill. My two recip saws and blades take up the bottom shelf of the top cabinet. The shelves all adjust in 1 inch increments, so I got pretty good use of the space. In the bottom cabinet beneath, I have a couple corded tools on the top shelf, and my air tools and accessories in the shelves below that, to keep any air tool oil from dripping on anything else. I keep hand tools in a tool chest, and bulky items on shelving a local grocery store gave away for hauling them off.
I might add, that 20 years ago, when I was really getting my tool cabinet organized, I agonized about the air tools down where I had to bend a bit to reach them, as they were my most used tools. Now, with improved performance of cordless tools, I really don’t use them much, except my air impacts for larger bolts, and my air die grinders. Ditto the corded tools. I think it’s been almost a year since I plugged in my Super Magnum Hole Shooter, my cordless is that good.
Also, I am down to 2 batteries, and now have a full set of cordless tools that use one battery in the shop. In my other battery platform, I still had a working drill/driver and impact driver, so I moved them to the garage, to keep all like cordless tools and batteries together. When they die, I will go to everything using the same battery.
If I could give any advice to someone starting out buying cordless tools, it would be to have everything possible use the same battery and charger. I thought I’d save money, and buy a top brand tool for frequent heavy use, and save a few bucks on occasional use tools. However, by the time I factored in needing to have multiple chargers, and battery thpes, I could have bought a full line of DeWalt or Milwaukee tools, and not cost any more. Having to buy a new battery for this tool or that tool nickel and dimes you a lot more than being able to buy a new battery for all your tools?
Nathan
+1 on the removal of the tool boxes comment. being a DIY’er homeowner. few of my tools are in the boxes they came in. IE biscuit joiner is in a drawer – with boxes of biscuits, some dowels and thier drill bits (might as well). The only power tool I keep in it’s OE box is my electric Impact wrench – because I know what and where it is and it stays covered.
cordless stuff usually sits on the shelf that holds my chargers for their batteries.
I do have a tool cabinet roll-around. 6 drawer device I got from Kobalt of all things. all my 1/4 drive – and 3/8 drive – pliers, wrenches etc. usually in marked drawers. but it’s low enough that it’s also my second work top.
also division of labors – all lawn and gardens like stuffs is on it’s own side of the garage – no intermixing. All of my car cleaning, polishing stuff – including that tool (porter cable random orbit – it’s awesome get you one) is on 2 shelves on their own. again no intermixing.
glenn
I keep the cordless tools an batteries that I use for work in a Keter mobile trolley.
But the rest are currently a somewhat disorganised and are a bit scattered sitting in/on a few shelves in the garage. I do have a dedicated charging spot with my chargers all in one place but the plan is to buy a tool trolley something like this one in the link so everything is stored in the one spot.
https://www.masters.com.au/product/101210963/one-eleven-superwide-trolley-12-drawer-black
BikerDad
I have something similar to Jeff Williams linked example above, except my chargers are on top of the shelf from which the cordless drills hang. Other portable power tools are stored in a mix of modes. My old ROS is on top of a tower that stores and organizes the discs. My new one is in its L-Boxx. One jigsaw is in a cubby, the new jigsaw is in its Systainer. One grinder is in a Toughbox, the other monstrous 7″ grinder is in its original cardboard box. Etc, etc. I don’t have a unified storage scheme for the portable power tools, save that the most used are most accessible.
Nate W
You can get really good shelving from supermarkets when they’re being gutted\remodeled. Never forget about Craigslist.
Bill K
This topic is probably a good one for all and will probably cost me money. I look forward to learning from everyone’s contributions.
My shop….. I have diverse tool interests and limited space, so I seem to have a constantly evolving layout and storage.
In general my interests include woodworking, electrical and electronics, metal working and welding, jewelry making and bicycle maintenance. I tend to have compartmentalized work areas and related tools/tooling. Common to all are versatile work benches. Here are a few of my best/recent shop improvements. (1) A large drawer under one work bench which stores all my 18v drill, 12v drill and saw, charged batteries and drill bits. (2) A common location for all chargers (needs a dust cover) (3) A central vac system with diy overhead pvc vac lines and connections. (4) Improved parts and raw material storage with stationary and rolling racks, cabinets and bins, (constant challenge).
Only seldom used tools are keep in their cases, typically the original unless additional space is needed for related accessories.
Maybe one day I’ll have a bigger shop so I’ll have the space to really get organized and not fight the constant shuffling of everything to match the project of the moment.
Looking forward to new ideas. Thanks Stuart for starting this thread!
ajw1978
Let’s see, my table and miter saw are currently stored in the walk-in closet, where her shoe racks used to be. Other miscellaneous power tools are in a storage tub in the closet where she used to store out-of-season clothes. My clamps, sanders, specialty tools and paint/stain supply each are in their own hand tool box, which are being stored under the bed. My hand tools are in a rolling tool box next to the bed where her night stand used to be. Slowly but surely, she’ll get the message….
Adam
Two words – milk crates. Nuff said.
Mike
Same here. I bought a bunch of the kind that have pins on the sides and interlock together. They’re stacked on their sides on shelves in 3×2 patterns for the full size ones, 3×4 for the half sizes. They do collect dust and debris, but 30 seconds with a blowgun and shopvac take care of that due to the open design.
A small shelf by the door holds all my chargers, always plugged in. I installed small trim on the edges to create a lip to keep things from being knocked off.
Pete
I love the links other commenters posted up. Other ideas or projects for tool storage? Keep them coming!
Troy
Hi – This is Troy, the original poster. I have a mis-mash of “systems” I’m employing like milk crates, adjustable shelving, plastic storage totes, molded cases below the bench, etc. I really like the “gun holder” posted by Jeff Williams.
One thing I’ve tried is to re-purpose an old shoe organizer for smaller tools/object (hence the cubby idea). Here’s an example: http://store.closetmaid.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10051&storeId=10151&top_category=10002&parent_category_rn=10062&categoryId=10169&productId=10540. I put two of these side by side on a shelf and store things like power strips, extension cords, garbage bags, etc. Only problem is the cubbies are on the small size.
Does anyone think something like this is a good idea, as long as the cubbies are milk crate sized? (I feel like most power tools fit in milk crates…) http://ana-white.com/2010/06/plans/25-cubbies-wall
Kurt
I store my cordless drills and other M12 accessories above my workbench using the system I read about on this page:
http://www.toolboxbuzz.com/cordless-tools/drilldriver/quick-drill-storage-solution/
The M12 charger is mounted vertically on the pegboard under them. Keeps the bench nice and clean.
In practice this has worked out very well.
Chad
at my house i dont have a “shop or garage” ( plan to build one soon!!) i used to work for a car stereo shop installing all the auto electonics so i have a large bluepoint toolbox, that resides a my friends shop that we built and still work on projects ( wish it was at my place !) so all my tools that i have bought over the years resides in 3 softside bags and an old toolbox
larger tools and ones not used as much are in a large US Navy bag my brother gave me yeas ago. mor of the used a lot tools are in the smaller ( cant remember brand bag that takes a lot of abuse ) soft bag, drill to batteries charger and bits n things are in a dewalt bag that i picked up after xmas at lowes ( it was one of those kits you get drill bits in one box screw bits n things in another box and a pretty decent bag for 9 bucks ) should have bought 2 of them at the time. All of my sockets wrenches and those odd n ends sockets that are collected are in an old kennedys brand toolbox.
I know its a lot to haul around but it works for me im just ready to build my own workshop have my bug toolbox back !!
Will prob build a shelf for batteries drills and charger to keep them off the bench !