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DIY Tool Storage Ideas (2017)

familyhandyman.com

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Re: DIY Tool Storage Ideas (2017)

#11

Post by WillAdams »

The best examination of tool storage concepts I've seen is this blog post:

https://bridgerberdel.wordpress.com/2015/01/08/thoughts-on-t...

which sums the various strategies and their pros and cons up nicely.

Three books on this which I would recommend to any one interested in woodworking are:

- _The Toolbox Book_ by Tolpin --- a bit dated, but still full of good information _and_ measured drawings for making some of the tool chests - _Choosing & Using Hand Tools_ by Andy Rae --- his wonderful toolchest is features in the book above, and further photos and information are included in this book - _Virtuoso: The Tool Cabinet and Workbench of Henry O. Studley_ --- I love and hate this book --- it's an important text, and the content is great, the problem is the presentation (pedestrian micro-typography which uses uni-directional double quotes instead of double primes, x instead of a multiplication symbol, &c.) and the typos (Studley's name is mis-spelled on this dustjacket)

I'm at a point in my life where I pretty much have all the tools I need, and the struggle is remembering where they are/that I have them, so working towards making fitted tool chests/cabinets so that everything has a place, and so that each chest/cabinet/box is applicable to a particular purpose.

Re: DIY Tool Storage Ideas (2017)

#13

Post by JKCalhoun »

walrus01 wrote: post #2

If you need to store a lot of small parts, go to a Cabela's (or bass pro shop) and look at the fishing section, plastic boxes with anywhere from 6 to 40 small compartments. Often a far better selection than what you'd find at a home Depot or similar.

I prefer these storage bins made by Stanley. They are fairly inexpensive and the small bins are removable so that you can easily grab the whole bin of screws or whatever. This also makes them easy to re-arrange your small parts. If you look around you can find them in two sizes — a thick and thin version.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-25-Compartment-Shallow-P...

Also, a cabinet for storing the organizers is an easy build for a new woodworker:

https://www.lumberjocks.com/projects/164002

Re: DIY Tool Storage Ideas (2017)

#14

Post by JKCalhoun »

whiw wrote: post #3

The magnetic drill bit rack might cause the swarf to cling to the drill bits. I use plastic picture/poster hanging grips to cover saw blades, and lengths of 4" plastic waste pipe to store dowel and metal rod.

Yeah, I avoid magnetic solutions to holding tools. I hate magnetic tools.

Re: DIY Tool Storage Ideas (2017)

#16

Post by WillAdams »

brk wrote: post #9

On this general topic, I'll mention the Milwaukee Packout system. I've been converting most of my storage containers and portable items to Packout. https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Storage-Solutions/PAC... https://www.pelicanzero.com/packout-nation/

I considered standardizing on Packout, but they seem to only offer one two drawer units, all of which are deeper than I'd like (I really want a single layer of tools per drawer).

Re: DIY Tool Storage Ideas (2017)

#17

Post by bombcar »

WillAdams wrote: post #16
brk wrote: post #9

On this general topic, I'll mention the Milwaukee Packout system. I've been converting most of my storage containers and portable items to Packout. https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Storage-Solutions/PAC... https://www.pelicanzero.com/packout-nation/

I considered standardizing on Packout, but they seem to only offer one two drawer units, all of which are deeper than I'd like (I really want a single layer of tools per drawer).

They’re actively developing the lineup (having said they were surprised at the success thereof).

Re: DIY Tool Storage Ideas (2017)

#18

Post by mhb »

evan_ wrote: post #15

I 3D printed a bunch of these[0] hangers for my cordless power tools and screwed them to the underside of a shelf. This model is for DeWalt but there’s a variation for every battery platform. Seems to work pretty well. [0]: https://www.printables.com/model/203909-dewalt-tool-mounts

They're all stored without their batteries? So now you need a battery storage solution as well as needing to remove the batteries to store the tool?

Re: DIY Tool Storage Ideas (2017)

#20

Post by bradfa »

mhb wrote: post #18
evan_ wrote: post #15

I 3D printed a bunch of these[0] hangers for my cordless power tools and screwed them to the underside of a shelf. This model is for DeWalt but there’s a variation for every battery platform. Seems to work pretty well. [0]: https://www.printables.com/model/203909-dewalt-tool-mounts

They're all stored without their batteries? So now you need a battery storage solution as well as needing to remove the batteries to store the tool?

I've always stored my cordless tools with the batteries disconnected from the tools and I don't have a fancy way of storing either (yet). I believe most cordless tool instruction manuals recommend this.
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