Tool organization advice

"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon) 12/29/2014 at 11:46 • Filed to: None

0

8

My "Bigass Present" this year was money to basically organize the garage. At the moment I have a bunch of DIY tool storage and one !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Obviously I need an actual tool chest so I can retire the ancient, plain box I've been using. I think 3 drawers would be sufficient. If I need more I can buy a middle chest. This will go on top of the Gladiator box, which is about to get casters. I don't need super heavy duty stuff like Snap On, but I also don't want junk that'll rust out or collapse after a few years. The top rated chest on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , which I know nothing about, really. Home Depot carries Husky, which is similar in most respects. Then there's Craftsman, which doesn't have the best reputation as of late.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Also going with some !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , which has holes and slots. My neighbor swears by his.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Also a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , to replace all of the little bins, jars and plastic cups that presently litter my workbench.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

I'm also thinking about a small locker for spray paint, fluids, and cleaning supplies. Nothing fancy, like !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

The final job is to make some lumber rails to mount to the ceiling, which will hold some plastic bins for spare Alfa parts. This project, as well as some other DIY organization products, come thanks to... God help me for uttering this name... Pinterest.

There are actually !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! for managing my power tools, cables, etc. Grumble.

So, what am I missing?

FasTbird232 > Chairman Kaga 12/29/2014 at 11:58

0

I've just begun a similar project. I've cleared the back shed (8x8) to use as a workshop, but aside from some pegboard that's already there, I'm not sure where to start.

Likely put in some shallow shelves on the back wall and wire in some outlets so I can plug in to the house mains, but past that... How big a space do you have?

doodon2whls > Chairman Kaga 12/29/2014 at 12:01

0

What is the power outlet situation in the garage ? Do you need to run some new circuits or relocate current ones to make the workspace more usable ? How about a battery charging station for your power tools ? Do you have sufficient flat top workbench/table space ?

Don't forget to show us when you are finished !

Frank Grimes > Chairman Kaga 12/29/2014 at 12:07

0

garagejournal.com has so much good crap

everytime I go to costco I have to check this out and dream about how awesome it would be.

$399 I dont know why it says 564 maybe canadia?

Chairman Kaga > FasTbird232 12/29/2014 at 12:08

0

Well, not much. It's a 2-car garage where my wife's (ginormous) Highlander and my GTV6 live. There are already shelves up for household stuff like cleaners, toilet paper, etc. That's all on her side. Some of the overhead bins will be for that as well, since there's really not enough room on the shelves. The 5'x12" shelf on my side is filled with spray paint, oil, etc.

There's sort of a lip toward the front wall, with a 4' x 6' space where my homemade work table and upright deep freeze sit. They take up ALL of the space. It has a shelf where I keep power tools, and that wall is where the peg board is going. Unfortunately the breaker box is smack in the middle, so I don't have as much space as I'd like.

I have 4 Gladiator rails that I'm relocating to the side wall. Extra hooks for extension cords, air compressor stuff, the like.

Chairman Kaga > doodon2whls 12/29/2014 at 12:15

0

I have a homemade table. I used wall studs and 1/2" plywood, so it'll support the weight of a fully loaded Boeing 747. It's 3'x5', and maybe 40" tall. Has a shelf below the work surface for power tools.

I DO want to add some electricity though. There's an outlet for the garage door with an open socket. Maybe run an extension down the wall with a strip for the compressor, charging, etc. Right now the chargers are mounted to the side of the table.

doodon2whls > Chairman Kaga 12/29/2014 at 12:22

0

Cool... I have a homemade workbench, too... They are the best kind...

Mine is discarded fire-rated solid Masonite door from a commercial building remodel. It's 2" thick and I have it supported with 4x4 legs and 2x4 diagonal braces... I think I could land an An-225 on it. ;-) It's nice to have a tall and sturdy work surface that you can really pound on... If I bought an expensive and 'pretty' workbench from the store, I would be concerned about marring it... The only drawback is when it comes time to move the workbench. I didn't put it on wheels, and the door itself is probably 100 lbs.

On the electricity front - be sure you use some 12 gage wiring if you are going to run anything like a compressor on it. Is the outlet GFI ? That'd be another detail...

nermal > Chairman Kaga 12/29/2014 at 12:46

0

I'm contemplating just doing a "purge" with my tools.

Spread out the existing stuff and sell it on Craigslist, then just buy all new, matching stuff from one brand, with organizers. I've been partial to Crafstman since that's what I've always used, but any of the *top tier* brands will do.

What's your budget? I can't imagine that this set would leave you wanting for much, although it is pricy.

Tool set

Add in ~$500 for a tool chest and a BFH or two, and you're good to go.

Chairman Kaga > nermal 12/29/2014 at 17:39

0

I'm also getting rid of all the cheapy-cheap tools in the collection and getting at least Craftsman to replace them. At this point it's mainly screwdrivers, wrenches, and pliers. I already have a decent 350+ piece socket and ratchet collection, the usual power tools, an air compressor - general auto tinkerer stuff - that I plan to retain.

The biggest problem is just that the garage is stuffed, so I'm really looking for solutions to the clutter. Costco has a nice overhead storage rack that could help with, coincidentally enough, our Costco purchases. We already have a nice 8x14' storage shed for lawn equipment, bikes, Christmas decorations, summer toys for the kids. And long-term storage goes into the attic.This is all for stuff we access frequently like diapers, wipes, toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning stuff. Bin it, throw it on the overhead rack. Done.

After that, it's tool organization.