Tool Talk

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: clovis on August 03, 2011, 10:24:50 PM

Title: How do you organize your tools?
Post by: clovis on August 03, 2011, 10:24:50 PM
This forum has inspired me to get better organized with my wrench and antique tool collection. For the past week, I've been spending a little time each day pulling wrenches from totes...and sometimes, much to my wife's displeasure, from places like the trunk of the car, the desk drawer, and one or two in the kitchen.

I'd like to know how you organize and store your tools.

You see, I've been a collector of wrenches for quite some time now. I've been attending auctions for years, and buying odd lots of tools. At one point, I decided that some of this stuff was too cool to part with, so I began pulling stuff and keeping it . Most of what I have is in storage bins, or a few tool box drawers that state "Tools that I thought were cool".

So, how do you do it?

Do you have them sorted by make? By manufacturer?

If you collect auto wrenches, do you store them separately from the farm wrenches?

What if you have a wrench made by Vlchek for a Jeep tool kit? Do you put it in with the Vlchek wrenches or with Jeep tools? 

What do you do with your favorite wrenches? Do they have a special place?
   
What kind of containers do you use? Bins? Tool chests? Tool boxes?

Any help you can offer is really appreciated!!!!

 

Title: Re: How do you organize your tools?
Post by: amertrac on August 04, 2011, 07:06:47 AM
When I purchase a tool I assign it two numbers (rwt00001606 & mw0103 ) I then make a folder with picture, information on mfg. purchase date & price and whatever else i can find out, I then put it into a foot locker assigned to type of tool. adjustable wrenches in one box hand drills in another etc .each foot locker is given a number . the number is put on the paper work so i can find it. the paperwork is copied and one set goes into a loose leaf in number sequence and another set goes into another loose leaf  that is filed by type.Some of my favorite pieces go into a attache case to better display.When i sell,trade a tool . the paper work goes into a sold file with date and price.This sounds good but once in a while i run into a tool that has no paperwork that somehow slipped through immigration.   I hope this helps you as you buy but it is a b--ch trying to catch up if you let them build up. like right now I am cleaning my garage finding stuff that i don't remember from where it came . good luck   bob w.
Title: Re: How do you organize your tools?
Post by: skipskip on August 04, 2011, 08:52:46 PM
I was all set to explain my system, but after Amertrac's reply,  I pass.


Skip
Title: Re: How do you organize your tools?
Post by: kxxr on August 04, 2011, 09:02:36 PM
Here's stage one of my 'system'. I've got about 12 stage twos, but I haven't come any where near amertrac's level of expertise yet either.
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/kxxr/tools/wrenchbasket.jpg)
Title: Re: How do you organize your tools?
Post by: Neals on August 04, 2011, 10:03:25 PM
Organize? I keep having that fantasy!
Title: Re: How do you organize your tools?
Post by: clovis on August 04, 2011, 10:41:01 PM
Wow...

I thought I was doing good to put a label on each wrench with the make and use! I think I've got about 5 wrenches completed so far.

Sounds like I have some work to do!!!!!
Title: Re: How do you organize your tools?
Post by: kxxr on August 04, 2011, 11:45:24 PM
Nah, just throw 'em in a nice pile or basket and every once in a while just run your hands through them and listen to them ring ... like Midas with his gold.
Of course you do have to set aside a few favorites for actual use. I know they make boxes for that, I've got a whole bunch of 'em, all empty, but for two.
Title: Re: How do you organize your tools?
Post by: ray on August 05, 2011, 07:08:46 AM
I just finished this display yesterday, it is my third try to get it the way I wanted it. It is not an elaborate display , but sort of related for use.

Ray
Title: Re: How do you organize your tools?
Post by: kxxr on August 05, 2011, 07:14:35 AM
Not elaborate? Looks pretty fancy to me. Nice; keep it up.
Title: Re: How do you organize your tools?
Post by: eddie hudson on August 05, 2011, 08:37:44 AM
I was all set to explain my system, but after Amertrac's reply,  I pass.


Skip

Why?
Title: Re: How do you organize your tools?
Post by: jimwrench on August 05, 2011, 08:51:25 AM
 I keep the newest piece on top.
Title: Re: How do you organize your tools?
Post by: amertrac on August 05, 2011, 11:41:16 AM
 
hey guys don't pick on me I am an old man.
 Being in a wheel chair setting in front of a computer 10 hours a day. gives me the advantage over someone who has to work for a living, besides i enjoy working with tools even if it is only registering them ,  BOB W.
Title: Re: How do you organize your tools?
Post by: kxxr on August 05, 2011, 02:06:49 PM
Awww, now Bob, it's just envy. Your system puts my 'heap them in like piles' method to shame, that's all.
Title: Re: How do you organize your tools?
Post by: scottg on August 05, 2011, 04:33:41 PM
The only possible hope of tool organization is more and better toolboxes of course!
 You can try open racks in you live in an airplane hangar.
 Otherwise its drawers, drawers and more drawers.
 yours Scott