(Because I’ve got nowhere else to put them!)
We recently moved to a new apartment. A smaller apartment, or at least it feels smaller. I lost my shop space, and we traded a very spacious storage room for a large second bathroom. I’m trying my best to unpack with a plan, but there’s just so much stuff that needs to be put away!
I have near full control of the second bedroom, where I will work on smaller projects and ToolGuyd-related photography and writing activities. But there’s just not enough room for everything! So… I am now using the second bathroom for temporary storage. And that is why there are power tools in the bathtub.
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I kind of knew this would happen, and bought a couple of small and medium Dewalt ToughSystem tool boxes and Bosch L-Boxxes to help contain things. It didn’t work.
How Did this Happen?
It comes down to one pretty simple explanation – I bought too many things. Too many tools, too many accessories, excessive supplies. Part of that comes from my desire to try out and review new or unfamiliar tools, but it’s also always been in my nature. I’m pretty sure it’s hereditary, but my tendency to have too many hobbies should shoulder some of the blame.
Let’s say I need some hardware for a project. I’ll start off with a $10 fasteners and parts order from MSC Direct or Enco, and turn it into a $100 order that includes a bunch of tools, additional fastener sizes, and accessories from my wishlist or for a future project. After all, I should make the most out of the shipping fee, right?
It has also been suggested that I have a screwdriver problem. Maybe June will be screwdriver-review month so I can start culling my collection.
In addition to my own purchases, I have fallen a bit behind with submitted review samples. Most readers (and PR reps) don’t realize this, but it takes a LOT of time to review tools, especially power tools. Mixing in real-world project usage with controlled testing is not something that can be done in 20-minutes. Photography and detailed writeups also cannot be rushed. Some samples are returned or given away, but I hold onto others that I know will be useful for future comparisons or followup review. And whether in off-site storage or my bathtub, benchmark tools take up space.
You don’t even want to know how huge my stockpile of raw materials and supplies have grown. Here’s just one example – I still have a couple of 12″ x 12″ acrylic sheets that I bought 10 years ago for a robotics project, and an 18″ x 18″ red UV-activated plastic panel I purchased 6 years ago for a computer modding project.
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What Can I Do About it?
I have arrangements to give a couple of things away. My brother in law is getting my huge Canon photo printer (it was $50 after $400 rebate and the ink was compatible with my everyday printer!), my cousins are getting some unused school supplies (index cards, looseleaf paper, and 168 cheap pencils which were 5¢ per pack of 8), and most of my tool chests already went to my father, wife’s cousins, and wife’s brother in law.
There’s still a LOT of stuff. Some will go to off-site storage, and some will be given away. I haven’t yet decided whether to donate tools off to Habitat for Humanity or a local Hackerspace, but I’ll make up my mind soon. I can probably send some of the random spare materials to the Hackerspace as well.
But giving things away won’t solve my stockpiling issues. I need to:
- stop buying tools (temporarily?), or at least give away more tools than I buy
- review tools, especially ones I purchased for review months or years ago, at a faster pace
- stop buying more supplies than I need
- exhibit more self-control when I come across hot deals
My eyes are bigger than my tool boxes and storage cabinets and it needs to stop. After all, our second bathroom, including the bathtub, is currently filled with tools. That’s not exactly normal, is it? Yes, I’m the editor and primary contributor to a tool blog and also write for others as time permits, but that’s not as valid an excuse as I like to believe.
Not having a basement or garage does limit the types of projects I can work on at times, but right now having too much stuff and too little free space is a much bigger issue.
Prevention
- one project at a time – too many aspirations and nothing will get done
- do you REALLY need to buy those tools? (No, I did not need that set of Gearwrench X-Beam ratcheting wrenches, but the deal was just too good to pass up!)
- do you really need to buy that right now? (Don’t store something you only *might* need someday.)
- don’t buy anything without purpose just because it’s on sale – this goes on hand in hand with the second bullet
What Happens Now?
Honestly, I’m not 100% sure. The apartment is a humongous mess since we just moved in and started to unpack. I plan to use the unpacking time to determine what stays and what needs to go, and items I cannot use in the next couple of months will go to storage, with a few exceptions of course.
It will be tough, but I’m going to have to be strict with how I determine what to keep and what to part with.
And there will be a new rule – with the exception of necessary new tools and accessories, I won’t buy something unless it takes another tool’s spot. Who will determine what’s necessary? I think I’ll give that role to my wife (wish me luck!!). Seriously, though, whenever I’m on the fence about a purchase, she usually does a fair job of throwing me one way or another.
And before anyone asks, no, I won’t take any photos, not until I have the situation under control at least. Honestly, it’s just too embarrassing at the moment.
Mrs. ToolGuyd
I’m glad to see you’re putting yourself on a tool diet.
jeff_williams
A post about tools in the tub and there’s not even a picture? Don’t need to see pics of the whole joint but thought for sure there would be a tub pic. Good job breaking the hoarding mentality.
I have a similar problem but now have the OK from the wifey to build a shed so I can put all the lawn/garden/sports things in the shed and the garage can hold my construction/woodworking tools.
Blair
I don’t know about the logistics, of your area, but if there is an affordable storage facility near you, you might look into that as a temporary shop/storage area. Around here they only run around $100.00 a month for a 10′ X 30′ unit, that would be large enough to set up shelves in, and also have at least one bench. It would also give you a place to “get away” to putter if you desire some quiet time.
Stuart
I have a 5’x5′ for personal supplies and a 5’x10′ for tools and anything that can be classified as ToolGuyd-related. And I just picked up another 72″ x 48″ x 18″ wire shelving unit. Together the two units are about $90 per month. Anything larger might exacerbate the issue.
Once the apartment is clean and clear, I’ll be going back and sorting through much of what’s already in the storage unit.
Nick
There comes a point when I think every person that is interested or works in the tool industry becomes tired of being surrounded by tools to the point they are filling up their house.
Trust me, if every tool in the universe was on sale, some people couldn’t live in their house anymore. There has to be a time when enough is enough and there is just too much clutter in your house.
One project at a time is a great idea and just buying what is needed is another great idea. I think just stop buying tools is also a great idea, as truthfully, a person only needs a finite amount of drill bits, drill insert bits and other tools in their life.
Stuart
One of the things I’m also going to have to start doing is saying “no” to more review requests since that has also been a contributing factor.
susano
This is what we call a 1st world problem.
Ollie
…Which is better than a third world problem any day of the week.
Brad Staggs
I have to echo Jeff’s sentiment on the lack of a photo. A bathtub of tools must be a sight to behold!
Stuart
I tried to take a photo this morning, but some of the tools were… interacting.
Fred
I think you should use the limits of a ‘normal’ tool storage unit as a guide for what is too much. For some, a 56″ Mac top & bottom box is normal, for others a 26″ top chest is normal. Whatever the space that you feel best suits your hand tool usage, use it as a guide to decide when there is ‘too much’.
I have 1 drawer of my 26″ bottom chest full of sockets. They are deep & shallow, 2 drives, as well as an additional set of 1/2″ impacts. I used to have 3 drawers of sockets, every size of impact, 2 full sets of every size drive otherwise. I barely used most of them and there are only a few things that I need 2 sockets instead of 1 socket 1 box wrench, so I used the drawer’s capacity to determine the max amount of sockets to keep.
If you can fill a 26″ top drawer with screwdrivers, you have too many. Sure you can have bit drivers, every size hex,torx, security/specialty, etc. And yes, there is a point where too much is easy for someone else to recognize but difficult for you to do so. Try to consolidate some of the lesser used sizes/shapes into bits instead of a full driver. A nut driver set is nice, but sockets & an adapter do just as well most of the time. The bits also work for your drill which I try to grab before a screwdriver anyway, so there is not just less space taken but more versatility.
Since power tools take up much more space than hand tools, finding ways to make work easier with a power tool help to justify the space they take up. Everything that would use a hand saw now gets done with my oscillator. So far hasn’t failed me and there are so many other uses for it, while the saw was just a saw. Dremels are similar in their versatility, though I can’t think of a specific tool they would completely replace, I’ve used it enough to justify the large amount of bits & accessories I have for it.
Stuart
The problem is that my projects and tool needs are so varied. e.g. yes, I really do need 3-4 types of hex drivers in 4mm, 5mm, and 6mm sizes. Well, I don’t need them all, but I do use them all very regularly.
Fred
Stu, could you comment or write a post (whichever is easier) about comparing the LBOXX and the DeWalt boxes? Possibly also if you have any of the Festool boxes?
I like the idea of getting into a system like these, but aside from the DeWalt I haven’t seen any useful information. Problem with any Festool review is, either ‘Festool is the best’ or ‘not worth the money’, but there are never any useful details.
I second the idea of using a 1 car garage sized storage instead of the 2 smaller ones. Lining the walls with shelves and having the middle to do what works best for you probably would be more efficient use of space, and since usually getting things better organized means making a little mess in the process, your 2 spaces don’t leave much room for the process, only the end result.
Stuart
I bought into all three systems – Dewalt ToughSystem, Bosch L-Boxx, and Festool Systainer.
Comparing the Dewalt boxes to any of the others is apples vs. oranges. Bosch vs. Festool, or Sortimo vs. Tanos, is more level, but I still haven’t made up my mind as to which is better. It’s actually REALLY tough comparing the two, which is why I haven’t done a head-to-head review yet.
Well, the smaller unit is separate from the larger so that I don’t mix personal supplies with tools and other “business”-related storage. The IRS taxes ToolGuyd and my freelance revenue as a business, which I suppose it has become, and so it’s only fair that I can deduct related expenditures. Garage-sized units are not available near me, and anything substantially larger than the 5’x10′ would be excessive not to mention expensive.
Until 2 weeks ago my storage spaces were actually very well organized and space-optimized, and I hope to get them in better shape soon so that I can move more stuff in.
OhioHead
Stuart,
Why not “give away” some of your samples/excess tools/accessories to your dedicated readers?
I know I am checking your site more often then some of the “other” tool related blogs, please keep up the good work!
OhioHead
Stuart
I do do that on occasion, but with things like power tools the shipping fees add up and start to hurt. It’s just so much easier to send them off to a local non-profit or club.
There’s also the risk of sending out certain tools I may need again. I’ve made such a mistake once before and it cost me $250 to pick up a retail sample same-day to meet a strict deadline. Other times, I hold onto certain samples because questions are bound to come up. I don’t like to do head-to-head comparison reviews, but will do them at times if there’s enough interest. Plus I often receive emails asking about the difference between brands or even tools of the same lineup. I try to answer as many reader questions as I can. Not only to be helpful, but because doing so can help position competing products in my mind, if that makes sense.
Thanks for the kind words, I’m glad you’re liking the content!
Ollie
Other things you can do about your tool collection:
1. Consolidate Sets – Do really need a blow-molded case for all those bits? Why not consolidate clusters of like tools together?
2. Vertical-ize Your Storage Space – This means get lots of shelving to maximize the amount of storage space while minimizing the storage footprint. It also helps make items easier to access. Wall racks also get the job done.
3. Buddies/Family – Know somebody who would like to use your stuff? Lend it to him to hold onto for a while. The item gets used, and the recipient (hopefully) appreciates your generosity.
4. Barter – You’ve got great stuff. Somebody else wants that stuff and has something (or perhaps, a service) you want even more. You know what to do.
5. Test to Destruction – How much torque can that socket wrench really take? What level of effort burns that drill motor out? You can find out, document it, and repackage the results as content!
6. Happy Birthday! – “Uncle Jed, I got you a Dewalt XRP drill…just like the one I recently replaced with the newer 20V model.”
7. More Storage Space! – Under you bed, in the attic, in your car’s trunk, at your office at work… loads of places to keep the goods!
8. Is is Crap? – You have an 18v Li-ion drill and a…a… 9.6v NiCd drill? Feed the weak one to your neighbor’s poodle. 10-19mm sockets in CrV or CrMo steel and 10-19mm sockets in um, maybe, steel? You’re giving out metric paperweights today.
9. Throw Other Stuff Out – Why in name of all that is holy do you have your Grandma’s collection of Cher CD’s laying around? Burn it now and reclaim that cubic foot of space!
Ollie
*and no, don’t take the poodle comment seriously. Burn the Cher CD’s though.
Stuart
1 – I tossed most blow-molded cases of purchased tools and store most good-quality cases of samples. Large bulky tools are kept in their cases.
2 – I have something like 28 10″ x 16″ x 6″ bins stacked on a wire shelving unit. Beyond that everything else will be in stackable tool boxes or 2 rolling tool cabinets.
3 – I have to be careful about who I lend power tools to. Not many of my friends or family members are familiar with certain tool types and they don’t RTFM. I’d rather give something away than worry about whether it’ll come back damaged. And I cannot (will not) give samples away to friends or family.
4 – I can barter with my personal tools, but it’s sometimes just easier to give them away to friends and family.
5 – I barely have the time to review tools I purchased with such intent 1-3 years ago. Testing a ratchet to its limits would take a lot of time and the results wouldn’t be conclusive. I cannot just test one ratchet to failure and post the results, it could be misleading. I would need maybe 5-20 samples of each.
6 – As mentioned I’ve given away quite a few of my excess tools and supplies. But nobody in my family uses 90% of the tools and supplies I do. The one person that does has everything he needs.
7 – I used to have tools under the bed and made a promise to myself that no tools enter the sleeping bedroom at the new place. And I brought some of my technical references to my work office.
8 – I stopped buying crap tools a while ago and don’t accept any crap tools to review.
9 – That’s what I’m doing now. Tossed a floppy drive that I had been keeping around “just in case.” Tossed CDRW discs. I should toss the USB 2.0 CD drive I purchased 10 years ago, but it’s buried in storage.
It’s an extremely complicated situation. One thing I will be doing is eliminating duplicates. That might turn into an interesting series of head-to-head comparisons.
Fred
I can see how the comment about organization would be taken that way but I really didn’t mean to suggest it wasn’t already organized, just that if you needed to get it that way, the space would constrict and slow progress.
If you ever need to get rid of any Bosch 18v tools (or any of their blow molded cases) you know which direction you can toss them. I’ll pay for the shipping. Same would go for Craftsman 12v.
So far based on your previous review of the DeWalt boxes and now this comment that neither the Bosch or Festool are similar enough to directly compare does give me quite a bit of useful information. Thanks for that bit but yes, if you were to do an article as in depth as the DeWalt one was about the Bosch & Festool boxes that would be very valuable.
Jerry
I have plenty of extra space, for the tools that are cluttering up your new place.
Send them over, and I won’t even charge you a storage fee. I will even use them to keep the bearings from siezing up.
Esther
MrsToolguyd’s comments always make me laugh.
John Sullivan
I think I almost saw the words “too”, “many”, and “tools” strung together in that order as a single phrase. That makes absolutely no sense.
If this is an apartment, it’s safe to assume that there are other apartments in the same building. Rent one of those for use as a workshop! These are your TOOLS, man! Think of the priorities!