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ToolGuyd > DIY & Home > Five Steps to Efficient Tool Storage & Organization

Five Steps to Efficient Tool Storage & Organization

Dec 1, 2010 Stuart 4 Comments

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Stuey Tool Organization January 2008

Right now my work area is in a state of extreme disarray, but I tend to be very particular about how I organize and store my tools. A tool that I cannot find is a tool I may as well not even own.

To help get myself reorganized, I’ve come up with a logical 5-step process to serve as an organizational framework. These aren’t exactly rules, they’re more like guidelines that I try to follow as much as possible. How do you organize your tools and equipment?

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  1. Lay out all tools & categorize according to function
  2. Separate specialty tools & group according to applications
  3. Determine how and where tools will be stored, setting aside a few go-to tools for pegboard or workbench placement
  4. Designate rough drawer/cabinet/shelf locations for each tool group
  5. Refine the organization of each drawer or other storage location after all tools have a designated place

I usually go through this process every few months after new tool purchases start accumulating or when I buy a new storage unit.

Here is what one of my tool drawers looked like a few years ago before I reorganized:

Improper Tool Drawer Organization

As you can see, there are too many things that don’t belong grouped together. Screwdrivers, electrical test equipment, wire strippers, a pop riveter, and vise grip locking clamps.

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Sections: DIY & Home, Storage & Organization, Tips

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4 Comments

  1. Dan Richards

    Dec 1, 2010

    Well on your way to your new book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective Workshop Management.

    Reply
  2. JeffD

    Dec 1, 2010

    I don’t think there’s enough drawers to organize everything by type or function. I;m still working on my tool organization. It seems I organize, then break it all down, then reorganize again. I currently use a tool ‘function’ system to organize.

    Reply
  3. Stuart

    Dec 1, 2010

    Most of my drawers aren’t dedicated to a single tool type.

    I’m also not the type to just throw things into a drawer haphazardly. That would definitely increase each drawer’s capacity, but I don’t like having to sort through a pile of tools to find the exact size I need. One of these days I might photograph my drawers once they’re reorganized.

    Ikea’s Alex drawer unit is still my favorite low-cost cabinet solution.

    Reply
  4. Dave

    Dec 2, 2010

    I have broken my drawers down to bangers/fasteners, drivers/drills, cutters/saws, misc/small items, and heavy duty; this seems to work great for hand tools. I have another cabinet where I break down each shelf to paints/solvents/glues, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and the bottom for power tools. It’s pretty simple and I rarely cannot locate what I’m looking for.

    Reply

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