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| How to organize tools?; Still needs to be liftable | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 14 2012, 08:01 PM (2,529 Views) | |
| Cobb | Jan 14 2012, 08:01 PM Post #1 |
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I do not know about you guys, but I am not a mechanic by trade. I started to get tools for my b-day and x-mas when I was 14 years old. I got a pack of Craftsman tools, open ended wrenches. Then a 3/8 socket set. It went on like this and at times I would go to buy a socket, wrench, etc and many times would buy a set vs the single becuase of price. My uncle and father would buy a set for a couple hundred in those plastic boxes. They too found they needed this or that and would buy a set vs the single one. Fast forward to today, my father and uncle have passed and I have 16 plastic tool boxesfull of various hand tools. I also have 2 buckets full of rusty socketsand some mismatch power tools that are corded. I really have no idea where to even begin to organize the tools and what to do with them. I guess I need to buy or make a big table to lay out the sockets and keep the name brands, toss the made in China? Likewise for the wrenches. I have open ended sets, closed ended sets, rachett ended ones, then combination open/closed ended. I am leaning towards keeping the combination ended wrenches and tossing the rest. Then I have a box of 6 different deremls or deremel like rotary tools. One has a slider to set the speed, another has a button you twist, another has a thumb wheel you turn, yet another has a push button, a nother one has n LCD screen and arrow buttons to vary speed. Any advice would be great and if you find yourself in Chesterfield, maybe we can hang out and you can keep the extras?
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| Way | Jan 15 2012, 02:12 AM Post #2 |
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Throwing away perfectly good tools??
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| Bigshane90 | Jan 15 2012, 02:45 AM Post #3 |
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Don't throw them away. At most donate them to others in need. Tools aren't exactly cheap, even if they are China made if whatever. I would buy a nice box and set everything you need/want in it. Then donate the rest. |
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| crankcase | Jan 15 2012, 03:47 AM Post #4 |
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I like the minimalist approach, but here lately I like a tool box for different types of tasks. I have soldering, electrical, splicing, small indoor tool box, in car tool box, garage tools, air tool and pipe fittings. I think our possesions begin to own us. We have to transport them, pay for a place for them to stay, organize them, clean them up, and they are a source of clutter and stress. Sometime we cannot find one of them and have to buy another of the same one type........ (Reflections of an often unorganized slob) |
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| Cobb | Jan 15 2012, 07:30 AM Post #5 |
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Thats why I posted here. I think even if it is made in China it will still work. I never thought about a box for everything like that. Ive attempted this task3 times already when just my uncle pased. I end up with 1 tool box or bag that has everything, 3/8, 1/2 1/4 in regular and deep well, a 2ft breaker bar, grip pliers, rachet and before i know it this tool bag weighs 300lbs. I am kicking myself or tossing some of those blow molded boxes as it seems they could of really come in handy at this point, however they didnt have room for everything I thought I would want. I am leaning towards a tool cart. This way I can put what I think is all necessary tools. Then maybe get some of those triangle shaped trays to let sockets stand up in the vertical manner for them. I then have quite a fow large sockets for various front and rear wheel hub nuts and steering wheel nuts. Metroschultz gets first dips, then who ever else. |
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| metroschultz | Jan 15 2012, 08:29 AM Post #6 |
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Please just call me; "Schultz"
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![]() Harbor Freight 5 drawer locking cart. ![]() Harbor Freight 4 drawer locking cart. Either one of these should do the trick for you. They both have large casters so you can pull them around on your driveway and they both lock. There is room underneath to set one of the smaller tool cases you have. (about 10 of them IIRC) Or, You could get a large tool chest combo like the one I have in the back of the garage. Then use a smaller cart only to carry out the tools you wish to use at the time. |
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| sphenicie | Jan 15 2012, 08:34 AM Post #7 |
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a tool box is alot like a garage, no matter how big it is, you will need more room in the future. . . . to keep things liftable, set up "theme" boxes. One for each type of work, ie electrical, auto, plumbing and so on. Edited by sphenicie, Jan 15 2012, 09:06 AM.
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| metroschultz | Jan 15 2012, 08:50 AM Post #8 |
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Please just call me; "Schultz"
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Yup. I have a Snap-On KRA 2400 set and 2 smaller roll cabinets and a table top box and still need more room. I really want the stainless steel set with radio and fridge that is for sale through Lowes. Then I promise I won't want any more tool boxes. Honest. |
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| Memphis metro | Jan 15 2012, 08:54 AM Post #9 |
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You have extra tools, make you up some emergency tool kits to keep in your cars in case of breakdowns. |
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| Cobb | Jan 15 2012, 09:02 AM Post #10 |
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Thanks Metroschultz. If that would fit in the hatch of the suzuki then I am sold. I like that idea. I was thinking about getting a tool cart and have a box on there and the tools all laid out. Although I do not plan on rebuilding either of my vehicles I have peaked the interest of my neighbors who seeme to be focused on sports vs repairs. Granted I am not going to tackle engine rebuilding, but they seem interestedin basic stuff like tune ups after hearing me with the impact wrench the other day. Other than a screw driver, I dont carry any tools in my car. Ive stripped my Insight and gained 10mpg. Thats the spare tire, rear seat, interior plastics, spare tire carrier, jack, etc. Other than rice out the sidekick, my other project is to further remove unnecessary parts to teh Honda like the starter, battery, AC and a few other things.
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| sphenicie | Jan 15 2012, 09:16 AM Post #11 |
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see edit of post #7 |
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| Cobb | Jan 15 2012, 09:30 AM Post #12 |
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I really like the idea of theme boxes, however all my projects usually end up getting out the heavy equipment, a lot of swearing and a few trips to the hardware or parts store. Maybe its my choice in vehicles, lack of knowledge, patience, etc? So I end up putting everything in one box, then its too heavy to carry. Changing tranny fluid required a soldering gun a few weeks ago. Dude had problems shifting, sold him on synchromesh. I offerd to change it. He said no reverse lights, education him on the switch. We got a new switch he volunteered to replace. He unscrewed it with a open end wrench without unplugging it. twisted the wires off the plug. |
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| Spock | Jan 15 2012, 10:57 AM Post #13 |
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Live Long and Prosper.
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For me, every socket holder I have ever bought was useless, so I made one. I bought some 1" X 1" pine strips at Home Depot and ripped them in half on the table saw. Then I went to walmart and bought some cheapo spade drill bits and proceeded to drill holes in the ripped down pieces wood at spacing that was equal enough to put individual sockets in such that I could grab them easily. That took a little trial and error. Then, I bought some roll sheet magnets from Walmart as well and I glued that to the underside of the wood. Then I wrote the size of the socket to the corresponding hole in sharpie. It's quick and its dirty but its cheap and it works. I've probably got 20 bucks wrapped up in the whole system and if it ever gets nasty and oily, I'll shell out another 20 bucks and make another one just like it. You can make it any way you want but the basic recipe is: wood+drilled holes+ magnet on the bottom+ hand written sharpie label. I'll post a picture if anyone is interested. Rob |
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| Murf 59 | Jan 15 2012, 12:02 PM Post #14 |
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+1 I have never had to many tools. Nor extras. They all get used. And the tools with the made in China stamp. Are great for when you have to make something odd ball and custom. Like a 12mm wrench that needs a 90degree bend in it. What about a good old fashioned top box with a cart. You can wheel it around and still fit it in the back of your car when needed. I have found for power tools, like drills and skil saws.... an old filing cabinet works great. They are designed to hold a lot of weight. Paper is not light. And the idea above about sorting your tools into catagories is a good idea. At last count. I had 8 tool boxes, + When I move, all the stuff in the house is easy. Moving my garage is another story. |
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| key4202003 | Jan 15 2012, 03:06 PM Post #15 |
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Advanced Member
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if your looking to thin out your craftsman tools i would be interested in buying alot. i have paypal. or your could ebay your extras. |
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Welcome to the all new Geo Metro Forum. We hope you enjoy your visit.

I am leaning towards keeping the combination ended wrenches and tossing the rest.




I am kicking myself or tossing some of those blow molded boxes as it seems they could of really come in handy at this point, however they didnt have room for everything I thought I would want. 



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7:56 PM Jul 10