How to Organize Shop Tools
A well organized workshop can make the difference between a project and a chore, but sometimes it's hard to know where to begin. There are lots of creative organization solutions to alleviate your frustrations over spending too much time looking for what you need instead of getting the job done. So take heart and take notes. Soon you'll be doing projects as efficiently as the guys on television. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Pegboard
- Pegboard hooks
- Saw
- Hammer and nails
- Magazine rack
- Permanent marker
- Mason jars (and/or baby food jars)
- Yardstick
- Old tackle boxes
Instructions
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Measure the exposed walls you have available. The more space you can cover with pegboard, the better. Create a diagram of the space to plan where all items will go before you hang them.
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Move out all your tools and supplies, separating them according to their use and purpose: gardening, woodworking, automotive, electrical, plumbing, and whatever else you have. The fundamental tools you use for more than one category (such as hammers and pliers) should have their own group and be the most accessible. Clean all surfaces so you start with a clean slate.
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Measure the pegboard, and cut it to fit on your walls. Install the pegboard by nailing it into the wall studs. Keeping your tool groups segregated, mount all the tools one group at a time, hanging them on pegboard hooks. Start on one end, and finish installing all the tools for that category before moving on. This will save rearranging later to make room for something you may have overlooked.
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Install a magazine rack on the pegboard in an easy-to-reach location. Keep all your tool manuals in it for easy access.
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Once all your tools are hung to your satisfaction, trace around each tool with a permanent marker so returning it to its proper place will be easier.
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Separate all your nails, screws, bolts and other hardware. Put each kind in its own mason jar (or baby food jar for little pieces). If you have a shelf over your workbench, measure it out so all the mason jars can line up side by side with about 2 inches in between. Nail the lids of the mason jars to the underside of the shelf, and then screw the jars onto the lids.
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Nail a yardstick to the edge of your workbench for quick measurements.
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Separate all your extension cords. A good, inexpensive way to keep them organized is to slide an empty toilet paper roll (or half a paper towel roll) over each rolled up cord. Label the cardboard roll with the size of the cord.
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Use old tackle boxes (you can usually find them at garage sales) to store smaller tools such as soldering irons, dremels, glue guns and staple guns. Give each tool its own box. Keep attachments or supplies for each tool in the tray inside its box. Label the outside of the box with the name of the tool for easy access.
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Have a garbage can at every work area. Before lining it with a plastic garbage bag, put several folded garbage bags on the bottom of the can so that when you remove a full bag, a replacement is handy.
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Tips & Warnings
Always keep safety in mind. Put safety items such as safety goggles, masks, work gloves and fire extinguishers in obvious, easy-to-reach places.
References
- Photo Credit Michael Blann/Digital Vision/Getty Images
