Affordable accessories can keep tools orderly, neat
Justin Pritchard is an automotive consultant and a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). http://justinpritchard.ca/
For some guys and gals, maintaining a clean, organized and tidy toolbox is a source of pride, a hobby, or even a passion. For others, a toolbox is just a place your tools get tossed to hang out while they’re not in use.
Recently, I asked my lengthy list of wrench-turning pals to post pictures of their toolboxes on Facebook. Then, I chose the tidiest-looking of those and asked their owners what products and accessories they used to keep their gear in perfect order for easy access.
Turns out, a few bucks spent on some clever accessories can go a long way to ensuring your toolbox doesn’t fall into a disorganized mess. Here’s a look at a few of the favourites.
Tool Holder Clips
One of the tidiest toolboxes to come across my Facebook survey saw numerous provisions arranged by way of little plastic clips, which are attached to the inside of the toolbox drawer.
Used with special little organizer
bins and compartments, these plastic clips keep everything you need upright, stationary and organized. You can lay your tools out, including wrenches, ratchet drivers and even drill-bits, in the order that makes the most sense for you.
Luc Boulanger, the owner of this toolbox, said that the clips he used were provided by his employer and that he got creative in using them. Similar tool holder clips can be found at numerous retailers, including Amazon.
Toollodge Foam and Neatfoam
Drawer inserts from ToolLodge are clever, handy and easy to use. ToolLodge foam inserts are cut to size and laid in your drawer and then you arrange your tools on top.
Once you’ve decided on the arrangement of the tools you like, you just press down hard on each tool, which leaves a form-fitting indentation in the foam pads, locking your tools perfectly in place. There’s even a handy grip tool for creating thumb and finger indentations, for easy plucking and picking of the tools you need.
Or, consider some Neatfoam inserts, which allow similar organization of tools on foam pads that you cut to shape yourself. Contrasting coloured foam slabs are sandwiched together, making it obvious when a tool is missing, since a big coloured opening is left behind when a tool is removed. Further, Neatfoam also offers pre-cut inserts for specific toolboxes and tool collections.
Magnetic Add-Ons
Since your tools and toolbox are largely made of steel, numerous magnetic add-ons can be employed to keep things organized, in place, and even mounted to the toolbox exterior, leaving more room inside.
Opt for a magnetic screwdriver holder, tool tray, pliers organizer, or spray-can holder and you’ll have an easier time keeping your gear, tools and supplies organized, tidy and in place. Best of all, magnetic toolbox accessories are cheap, abundant and highly effective.
Mounting commonly-used tools magnetically to the side of your toolbox means less time spent rooting around for the item you need.
Compartmented Organizers
Options are plentiful in organizers designed to slip into your toolbox drawer and keep smaller items organized and separated in various compartments. Best of all, slide-in drawer organizers are cheaper and more convenient than buying a separate organizer box for keeping various screws, bits and fasteners organized and at hand. Your favourite retailer probably sells a wide range of drawer organizer trays for $20 or less, though one friend suggested using ice cube trays from the dollar store as an even cheaper alternative. If your budget is bigger, the company that makes your toolbox likely sells custom-fit organizer and divider tray kits that are designed to fit perfectly, filling an entire drawer.
Specialized Organizers
Specialized organizers are available for your pliers, screwdrivers, ratchets, sockets, Allen keys and any other small hand tools you might use. Cheap and simple, specialized organizers let you keep your tools arranged logically, in their appropriate organizer, before putting them away in your drawer. Kody Tremblay used a bunch of specialized organizers, themselves arranged neatly in his toolbox drawers, to create a tool layout that works perfectly for his daily repairs, and presents his tools with surgical precision every time he opens the drawer.
Magnetic Tool Wristband
How clever is this: the RAK magnetic wristband straps to your wrist and comes embedded with numerous strong magnets that help keep fasteners, bits, sockets and even small tools or lighting provisions fixed in place, so they’re always where you need them. This item won’t organize your toolbox, but does keep your smaller metal items organized in real time, right on your wrist, right as you’re using them.