I have an increasing collection of random tools. Usually a tool is bought
for a specific job, which then languishes somewhere until the next time -
when I forget I had it or can't find it, and end up buying another one.

I'd like to sort this out into collections of tools for specific purposes,
like a car toolbox or a woodwork toolbox that I can pick up and take
wherever needed (I don't have a workshop, or a van). The trouble is, lots
of tools are awkward shapes. Not necessarily the tool itself, but the way
they are packaged. For instance the socket set comes in a rectangular blow
mould case, the spanners in a fabric roll, the saw in a long sheath, the
torque wrench in a long thin blow-mould case. I'd like to not have to carry
a dozen awkwardly-sized containers about - the packaging of all these cases
is much larger than the tools themselves.

The plastic toolbox seems to be the thing these days, but I've always found
the hinges go, stuff gets buried at the bottom, the lid compartments aren't
big enough, and it's hard to see what you actually have. In theory the
trays help, but it only takes one awkwardly shaped tool and the lid won't go
on and then you can't use the handle and the tools go everywhere.

Is there a better way?

Theo

On 25/01/16 13:22, Theo wrote:
I have an increasing collection of random tools. Usually a tool is bought
for a specific job, which then languishes somewhere until the next time -
when I forget I had it or can't find it, and end up buying another one.

I'd like to sort this out into collections of tools for specific purposes,
like a car toolbox or a woodwork toolbox that I can pick up and take
wherever needed (I don't have a workshop, or a van). The trouble is, lots
of tools are awkward shapes. Not necessarily the tool itself, but the way
they are packaged. For instance the socket set comes in a rectangular blow
mould case, the spanners in a fabric roll, the saw in a long sheath, the
torque wrench in a long thin blow-mould case. I'd like to not have to carry
a dozen awkwardly-sized containers about - the packaging of all these cases
is much larger than the tools themselves.

The plastic toolbox seems to be the thing these days, but I've always found
the hinges go, stuff gets buried at the bottom, the lid compartments aren't
big enough, and it's hard to see what you actually have. In theory the
trays help, but it only takes one awkwardly shaped tool and the lid won't go
on and then you can't use the handle and the tools go everywhere.

Is there a better way?

In line with the current OCD threads on cables management, maybe a
google image search on "OCD toolbox" might (not) help.

--
Adrian C

"Theo" wrote in message
...
I have an increasing collection of random tools. Usually a tool is bought
for a specific job, which then languishes somewhere until the next time -
when I forget I had it or can't find it, and end up buying another one.

I'd like to sort this out into collections of tools for specific purposes,
like a car toolbox or a woodwork toolbox that I can pick up and take
wherever needed (I don't have a workshop, or a van). The trouble is, lots
of tools are awkward shapes. Not necessarily the tool itself, but the way
they are packaged. For instance the socket set comes in a rectangular
blow
mould case, the spanners in a fabric roll, the saw in a long sheath, the
torque wrench in a long thin blow-mould case. I'd like to not have to
carry
a dozen awkwardly-sized containers about - the packaging of all these
cases
is much larger than the tools themselves.

The plastic toolbox seems to be the thing these days, but I've always
found
the hinges go, stuff gets buried at the bottom, the lid compartments
aren't
big enough, and it's hard to see what you actually have. In theory the
trays help, but it only takes one awkwardly shaped tool and the lid won't
go
on and then you can't use the handle and the tools go everywhere.

Is there a better way?

Nope, if there was, someone would have come up with it by now.

Theo wrote:
I have an increasing collection of random tools. Usually a tool is bought
for a specific job, which then languishes somewhere until the next time -
when I forget I had it or can't find it, and end up buying another one.

I'd like to sort this out into collections of tools for specific purposes,
like a car toolbox or a woodwork toolbox that I can pick up and take
wherever needed (I don't have a workshop, or a van). The trouble is, lots
of tools are awkward shapes. Not necessarily the tool itself, but the way
they are packaged. For instance the socket set comes in a rectangular blow
mould case, the spanners in a fabric roll, the saw in a long sheath, the
torque wrench in a long thin blow-mould case. I'd like to not have to carry
a dozen awkwardly-sized containers about - the packaging of all these cases
is much larger than the tools themselves.

The plastic toolbox seems to be the thing these days, but I've always found
the hinges go, stuff gets buried at the bottom, the lid compartments aren't
big enough, and it's hard to see what you actually have. In theory the
trays help, but it only takes one awkwardly shaped tool and the lid won't go
on and then you can't use the handle and the tools go everywhere.

Is there a better way?

I've battled with this problem for many years. I have a *sort* of
solution:-

Very small plastic cantilever tool box for electronics and small
electrical tools, this also doubles as a 'handy aboout the house'
tool box for odd small jobs.

Toolboxes with drawers (i.e. biggish compartment at the top with
drawers underneath) for specific specialised tools. I have one
full of crimps and crimp tools for example.

Rolling toolboxes for the rest. I have a big FatMax one that I
now use for outside work and a stacking one that is my 'main'
toolbox that is the one that goes in the car.

--
Chris Green
·

On 25/01/16 13:22, Theo wrote:
I have an increasing collection of random tools. Usually a tool is bought
for a specific job, which then languishes somewhere until the next time -
when I forget I had it or can't find it, and end up buying another one.

I'd like to sort this out into collections of tools for specific purposes,
like a car toolbox or a woodwork toolbox that I can pick up and take
wherever needed (I don't have a workshop, or a van). The trouble is, lots
of tools are awkward shapes. Not necessarily the tool itself, but the way
they are packaged. For instance the socket set comes in a rectangular blow
mould case, the spanners in a fabric roll, the saw in a long sheath, the
torque wrench in a long thin blow-mould case. I'd like to not have to carry
a dozen awkwardly-sized containers about - the packaging of all these cases
is much larger than the tools themselves.

The plastic toolbox seems to be the thing these days, but I've always found
the hinges go, stuff gets buried at the bottom, the lid compartments aren't
big enough, and it's hard to see what you actually have. In theory the
trays help, but it only takes one awkwardly shaped tool and the lid won't go
on and then you can't use the handle and the tools go everywhere.

Is there a better way?

visit a fishing tackle shop...

Theo



--
Those who want slavery should have the grace to name it by its proper
name. They must face the full meaning of that which they are advocating
or condoning; the full, exact, specific meaning of collectivism, of its
logical implications, of the principles upon which it is based, and of
the ultimate consequences to which these principles will lead. They must
face it, then decide whether this is what they want or not.

Ayn Rand.

The Natural Philosopher wrote:
visit a fishing tackle shop...

Forgive my ignorance, but what kind of tools to fisherpeople have? I assume
they have boxes for small things (hooks, weights, bait, etc) and long, thin
and light things (rods etc), and maybe things you can sit on. But is there
much in between? It seems hammers, spanners, saws etc fit in the middle
ground between those groups.

Or maybe there is, but I don't know what it's called?

Theo

On 26/01/2016 12:45, Theo wrote:
The Natural Philosopher wrote:
visit a fishing tackle shop...

Forgive my ignorance, but what kind of tools to fisherpeople have? I assume
they have boxes for small things (hooks, weights, bait, etc) and long, thin
and light things (rods etc), and maybe things you can sit on. But is there
much in between? It seems hammers, spanners, saws etc fit in the middle
ground between those groups.

Or maybe there is, but I don't know what it's called?

Theo

As you say, they have lots of little stuff so if you do electronics,
sewing, R/C cars or planes and that sort of thing they are worth a look.
My main electronics box was an eBay cheapie tagged for fishermen.

Also they do robust and semi-waterproof stuff, boxes with wheels which
double as seats, etc, but these tend to come at a price.

But you can never have too many tools or toolboxes.....

En el artículo , Theo theom+news
@chiark.greenend.org.uk escribió:

I'd like to sort this out into collections of tools for specific purposes,
like a car toolbox or a woodwork toolbox that I can pick up and take
wherever needed

It won't work, trust me. You'll always end up needing a tool which is
in the box you've left at home. BTDTGTTS.

Now I just chuck everything in the back of the car - 2 plastic
toolboxes, a large, hefty toolbag and various sundry items so I be sure
I have everything I need.

--
(\_/)
(='.'=) Bunny says: Windows 10? Nein danke!
(")_(")

On Monday, 25 January 2016 14:57:37 UTC, Mike Tomlinson wrote:
En el artículo , Theo theom+news
@chiark.greenend.org.uk escribió:

I'd like to sort this out into collections of tools for specific purposes,
like a car toolbox or a woodwork toolbox that I can pick up and take
wherever needed

It won't work, trust me. You'll always end up needing a tool which is
in the box you've left at home. BTDTGTTS.

Now I just chuck everything in the back of the car - 2 plastic
toolboxes,


Mark one box big tools the other little tools and you're sorted ;-)
I did this for screwdrivers first attempt was slotted in one box and pozi-phillips in another. Almost worked OK until I couldn't find my torx set.

So now its' small hand tools, large hand tools and computer related tools, which includes screwdrivers that at small 3mm blade an less than phlipps No 0pt. But I still; seems to have far too many unlabled boxes of stuff.
So I've yet to fidn a solution.





a large, hefty toolbag and various sundry items so I be sure
I have everything I need.

--
(\_/)
(='.'=) Bunny says: Windows 10? Nein danke!
(")_(")

whisky-dave wrote:
Mark one box big tools the other little tools and you're sorted ;-) I
did this for screwdrivers first attempt was slotted in one box and
pozi-phillips in another.

My practice is to store slotted and cross-head in the same compartment
but opposite ways round. More efficient use of space.

--
Mike Barnes
Cheshire, England

"whisky-dave" wrote in message
...
On Monday, 25 January 2016 14:57:37 UTC, Mike Tomlinson wrote:
En el artículo , Theo theom+news
@chiark.greenend.org.uk escribió:

I'd like to sort this out into collections of tools for specific
purposes,
like a car toolbox or a woodwork toolbox that I can pick up and take
wherever needed

It won't work, trust me. You'll always end up needing a tool which is
in the box you've left at home. BTDTGTTS.

Now I just chuck everything in the back of the car - 2 plastic
toolboxes,


Mark one box big tools the other little tools and you're sorted ;-)
I did this for screwdrivers first attempt was slotted in one box and
pozi-phillips in another. Almost worked OK until I couldn't find my torx
set.

So now its' small hand tools, large hand tools and computer related tools,
which includes screwdrivers that at small 3mm blade an less than phlipps
No 0pt. But I still; seems to have far too many unlabled boxes of stuff.
So I've yet to fidn a solution.

There is no solution. If there was, we would have found it by now.

The plumbers that did the part of the plumbing that wasn't legal
for me to do when I build the house used to use those big metal
ammunition and mortar cases left over from the war. Show up
first thing, up end the tool box onto the concrete slab, scratch
their heads and then head back to the builders yard to get
what the needed supplys wise for the day's work. Obviously
with some of the bigger stuff like the big oxy acetylene gas
cylinders in the back of the truck. At the end of the day all
the tools were thrown back in the boxes and put back on
the truck.

I use those big steel mortar shell boxes myself for the
camping gear, mostly the food and plates and utensils etc.
Handy to put stuff like the camping gas stove on as a sort
of primitive table that didn't need any space it the VW
beetle that I used to use when camping, later the Golf.

Used a much smaller one that originally held the belt
of ammo for one of the lighter machine guns for the
shooting gear, gun cleaning ear etc.

a large, hefty toolbag and various sundry items so I be sure
I have everything I need.

On 25/01/2016 13:22, Theo wrote:
I have an increasing collection of random tools. Usually a tool is bought
for a specific job, which then languishes somewhere until the next time -
when I forget I had it or can't find it, and end up buying another one.

I'd like to sort this out into collections of tools for specific purposes,
like a car toolbox or a woodwork toolbox that I can pick up and take
wherever needed (I don't have a workshop, or a van). The trouble is, lots
of tools are awkward shapes. Not necessarily the tool itself, but the way
they are packaged. For instance the socket set comes in a rectangular blow
mould case, the spanners in a fabric roll, the saw in a long sheath, the
torque wrench in a long thin blow-mould case. I'd like to not have to carry
a dozen awkwardly-sized containers about - the packaging of all these cases
is much larger than the tools themselves.

The plastic toolbox seems to be the thing these days, but I've always found
the hinges go, stuff gets buried at the bottom, the lid compartments aren't
big enough, and it's hard to see what you actually have. In theory the
trays help, but it only takes one awkwardly shaped tool and the lid won't go
on and then you can't use the handle and the tools go everywhere.

Is there a better way?

Theo

I have two solutions. These are good as a general mixed hardware carrier

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stanley-1975...anley+tool+box

And then I have a number of the "metal briefcase" type boxes for
specific tools and accessories like angle grinders, cordless drills,
carpentry stuff, etc. These have the merit that they stack well either
on their sides or on edge, on shelves under a workbench. They are very
durable, and easy to get out and sling in a car.

And I have a number of the thinner plastic "compartment trays", again a
good idea if you more or less standardise on size, so that they can
stack or shelve. I tend to buy screws in the big metal boxes and refill
as required. This is a large, two layer one and is quite flexible.

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p22734

newshound wrote:
I have two solutions. These are good as a general mixed hardware carrier

And then I have a number of the "metal briefcase" type boxes for
specific tools and accessories like angle grinders, cordless drills,
carpentry stuff, etc. These have the merit that they stack well either
on their sides or on edge, on shelves under a workbench. They are very
durable, and easy to get out and sling in a car.

Hmm. I don't tend to need to carry much in the way of screws etc, and when
I do I can bring a box/tray/bag of them, so I don't tend to need 'small
bits' storage. But the briefcase idea sounds interesting - maybe some
briefcases kitted out with magnetic strips like these:
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p76292
to hold collections of tools? Or maybe the soft case version (but not at
this price):
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p27170

I also wonder about some of the 'tool bag' things. How do they tend to
stand up under wear? One problem with spanner rolls and similar is the
pockets tearing off, which means things all fall out.

Theo

On 25/01/2016 20:09, Theo Markettos wrote:
newshound wrote:
I have two solutions. These are good as a general mixed hardware carrier

And then I have a number of the "metal briefcase" type boxes for
specific tools and accessories like angle grinders, cordless drills,
carpentry stuff, etc. These have the merit that they stack well either
on their sides or on edge, on shelves under a workbench. They are very
durable, and easy to get out and sling in a car.

Hmm. I don't tend to need to carry much in the way of screws etc, and when
I do I can bring a box/tray/bag of them, so I don't tend to need 'small
bits' storage. But the briefcase idea sounds interesting - maybe some
briefcases kitted out with magnetic strips like these:
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p76292
to hold collections of tools? Or maybe the soft case version (but not at
this price):
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p27170

I also wonder about some of the 'tool bag' things. How do they tend to
stand up under wear? One problem with spanner rolls and similar is the
pockets tearing off, which means things all fall out.

Theo

To clarify, these are what I mean by "metal briefcases"

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_...aluminium+case

The correct search term seems to be aluminium case.

I have a couple of the big canvas traditional carriers, these are more
suitable for larger tools like panel saws, lump hammers, large nail bars
etc. Not normally used for storage (I have a trolley jack in another
one), I just load them up as required.

I keep spanners in a tool-roll in the two vans but don't use these much
in building DIY, tend to carry the 3/8 socket set if I will be using
coach screws or coach bolts.

I thought the technicians soft tool case looked a bit expensive for my
purposes. I can see that for a service technician working on a limited
range of kit (boilers, IT, etc) it might well be the right thing to use.

newshound wrote:
To clarify, these are what I mean by "metal briefcases"

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_...aluminium+case

The correct search term seems to be aluminium case.

Oh I see, I'd call those 'flight cases'. ('Metal briefcases' I'd assumed
were made of steel, for some reason).

That reminds me, a while back I was looking for waterproof boxes to use as
bike panniers and thought that a Peli case would do a good job, except for
the price. A bit of hunting around and I found a UK manufacturer of
Peli-alikes:
https://store.trifibre.co.uk/waterpr...ger-cases.html
Possibly over-engineered, but would at least solve the hinge problem.

Some of their other things look interesting, for instance:
https://store.trifibre.co.uk/2-in-1-...g-trolley.html

I thought the technicians soft tool case looked a bit expensive for my
purposes. I can see that for a service technician working on a limited
range of kit (boilers, IT, etc) it might well be the right thing to use.

That was just an example. I'm sure our friends at ebay could provide
something for a much better price...

Theo

On 25 Jan 2016 13:22:11 +0000 (GMT), Theo
wrote:

I have an increasing collection of random tools. Usually a tool is bought
for a specific job, which then languishes somewhere until the next time -
when I forget I had it or can't find it, and end up buying another one.

I'd like to sort this out into collections of tools for specific purposes,
like a car toolbox or a woodwork toolbox that I can pick up and take
wherever needed (I don't have a workshop, or a van).
The plastic toolbox seems to be the thing these days, but I've always found
the hinges go, stuff gets buried at the bottom, the lid compartments aren't
big enough, and it's hard to see what you actually have. I

Is there a better way?

Theo
Where are the tools stored?

In my shed I have some wire baskets and plastic bins supported in
frames . They were a range from Ikea and though the style I used has
been discontinued the present ALGOT range seems to be the replacement.
The baskets which slide out like drawers are large enough to hold some
big tools without spending ages trying to get the flex and plug back
in the original box. Being baskets things can be seen clearly when
the memory fails on where a tool or some fitting was last put away.
Some things like screws and other sundries are kept in things like
Stanley fat max compartment boxes and they sit flat in the baskets.
if I need to do a task away from the shed the relevant tools are
carried in a canvas bag which when empty can be rolled up and stored
easily while the sundries come along in the appropriate compartment
boxes, smaller tools like a selection of screwdrivers,measure ,stanley
knife etc have their own tool box and that is also stored in a wire
basket when not in use.
I put my frames on castors so they can be wheeled out for sweeping but
that is a personal preference.
You can stack the frames but tools can be heavy, it works in the other
halfs shed for light things to with gardening such as plant ties and
boxes of feed.

G.Harman

wrote:
Where are the tools stored?

In the shed, under the stairs, in the car, on a shelf. There is no One
Place Tools Live, it's just wherever happens to be convenient between jobs.
That's why a system for 'tools at home' and 'tools away' doesn't work: there
is no 'home' location that would provide easy access. That's why I was
asking about moving whole collections of tools, rather than loading up for
specific jobs.

Theo

On Monday, 25 January 2016 13:22:17 UTC, Theo wrote:

I have an increasing collection of random tools. Usually a tool is bought
for a specific job, which then languishes somewhere until the next time -
when I forget I had it or can't find it, and end up buying another one.

I'd like to sort this out into collections of tools for specific purposes,
like a car toolbox or a woodwork toolbox that I can pick up and take
wherever needed (I don't have a workshop, or a van). The trouble is, lots
of tools are awkward shapes. Not necessarily the tool itself, but the way
they are packaged. For instance the socket set comes in a rectangular blow
mould case, the spanners in a fabric roll, the saw in a long sheath, the
torque wrench in a long thin blow-mould case. I'd like to not have to carry
a dozen awkwardly-sized containers about - the packaging of all these cases
is much larger than the tools themselves.

The plastic toolbox seems to be the thing these days, but I've always found
the hinges go, stuff gets buried at the bottom, the lid compartments aren't
big enough, and it's hard to see what you actually have. In theory the
trays help, but it only takes one awkwardly shaped tool and the lid won't go
on and then you can't use the handle and the tools go everywhere.

Is there a better way?

Theo

There is no solution. All the suggestions fail. The most hopeless of all is the toolbox, which is far too small to carry enough tools.


NT

On 25/01/2016 13:22, Theo wrote:
I have an increasing collection of random tools. Usually a tool is bought
for a specific job, which then languishes somewhere until the next time -
when I forget I had it or can't find it, and end up buying another one.

I'd like to sort this out into collections of tools for specific purposes,
like a car toolbox or a woodwork toolbox that I can pick up and take
wherever needed (I don't have a workshop, or a van).

You can do that, but you will need some duplication of tools I find to
make it work.

I have one large Wickes toolbox on wheels that I lob in anything I think
I will need for a job, plus it has some basic odds and ends in it all
the time. Then I have specific boxes for the task (another rolling
toolbox for plumbing, one for data comms / networking / phone, one for
electrical, one for aerial rigging. Then individually cased power tools
as required. Still often requires loading a shed load of tools, but at
least you can pile boxes on the rolling toolbox and use it as a trolly.

The trouble is, lots
of tools are awkward shapes. Not necessarily the tool itself, but the way
they are packaged. For instance the socket set comes in a rectangular blow
mould case, the spanners in a fabric roll, the saw in a long sheath, the
torque wrench in a long thin blow-mould case. I'd like to not have to carry
a dozen awkwardly-sized containers about - the packaging of all these cases
is much larger than the tools themselves.

Work out which ones you can dump into a general case, and which benefit
from their own.

The plastic toolbox seems to be the thing these days, but I've always found
the hinges go, stuff gets buried at the bottom, the lid compartments aren't
big enough, and it's hard to see what you actually have. In theory the
trays help, but it only takes one awkwardly shaped tool and the lid won't go
on and then you can't use the handle and the tools go everywhere.

Is there a better way?

No way is perfect alas.


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

Tool belts maybe?
Brian

"Theo" wrote in message
...
I have an increasing collection of random tools. Usually a tool is bought
for a specific job, which then languishes somewhere until the next time -
when I forget I had it or can't find it, and end up buying another one.

I'd like to sort this out into collections of tools for specific purposes,
like a car toolbox or a woodwork toolbox that I can pick up and take
wherever needed (I don't have a workshop, or a van). The trouble is, lots
of tools are awkward shapes. Not necessarily the tool itself, but the way
they are packaged. For instance the socket set comes in a rectangular
blow
mould case, the spanners in a fabric roll, the saw in a long sheath, the
torque wrench in a long thin blow-mould case. I'd like to not have to
carry
a dozen awkwardly-sized containers about - the packaging of all these
cases
is much larger than the tools themselves.

The plastic toolbox seems to be the thing these days, but I've always
found
the hinges go, stuff gets buried at the bottom, the lid compartments
aren't
big enough, and it's hard to see what you actually have. In theory the
trays help, but it only takes one awkwardly shaped tool and the lid won't
go
on and then you can't use the handle and the tools go everywhere.

Is there a better way?

Theo

--
----- -
This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...

Blind user, so no pictures please!