DAVE’S TOP 5 TOOL ORGANIZATION TIPS
For the September Q&A Dave received the following question:
“How do you organize your tools, including smaller items like hammers, screws, bits, nails, etc?”
Dave loved this one and answered it in detail in the chat but there are essentially five ways that Dave keeps track of all the tools and supplies and today we’ll be sharing those with you.
The designated wrench location on the workbench.
01. DESIGNATED LOCATIONS
Having a designated spot for everything is paramount when it comes to keeping tools organized. If it has a home it will be so much easier to locate and return after use.
For example (img above): Wrenches have a designated spot on the wall above the workbench. This is close to the entryway and the bay that we often use for servicing machinery and assembling larger items.
For example (img below): Clamps have a designated station below the window in the workshop where they can be easily accessed and they don’t get tangled up on each other as they would inside a bin.
Clamp station in the workshop.
02. VISIBILITY
Small supplies are notoriously easy to get out of hand. Having an easy to see, easy to access location for them to go in makes a world of difference when it comes to keeping tabs on everything in stock.
For example (img below): The electrical and plumbing supplies wall has a range of open ended bins that house specific types of each item. This way Dave can grab one of the small bins and bring it with him or easily reach in and grab a handful of the specific pieces he needs. Spools of wire are easy to grab and he can see all the parts available at a glance.
Plumbing and electrical supply storage in the workshop.
03. Grouped by use / function
In Dave’s rolling tool cabinet he’s able to group all the tools he uses regularly by use and function.
For example (imgs below): All the pliers are in one drawer so they’re easy to find quickly. Same applies for his collection of allen keys.
The plier drawer in the rolling tool cabinet.
The allen key drawer in the rolling tool cabinet.
04. CREATE TO-GO CAPSULES BY JOB TYPE
Dave will organize a to-go toolbox based on the job at hand. For instance, if he’s working on a plumbing installation, he’ll curate the Milwaukee PACKOUT for that. Then he knows the tools are all within the same job type.
Daves mobile tool storage solution is currently the Milwaukee Packout box.
05. LIMIT & STREAMLINE THE OPTIONS YOU BRinG IN
This is especially important with small supplies like screws and nails. Dave has worked with a lot of different brands over the years and they all have slightly different designs and features that can get easily mixed up. He’s found that he prefers the GRK line of fasteners so now he only buys those. This helps to limit the amount of variances there are in his supply and he knows he can rely on the stock he has.
The screws and nails supply wall in the workshop.
We hope this simple overview of how to organize your tools and supplies is helpful!
