Got TOOLS?

Have you ever needed a hand or power tool unexpectedly and it’s not where you thought you put it? It can be frustrating when you have to stop right in the middle of a project and start a search for something. If only your tools were organized…  

For some people, it may be as easy as putting a hammer, pliers and two screwdrivers in a drawer. DIY (do it yourself) fans and most homeowners, have a large collection of hand tools, power tools, nails, screws, nuts and bolts, saws, a variety of pliers, the list goes on and on. So, is there a good strategy for organizing everything? Of course there is! 

A lot of people like using a pegboard to organize hand tools. In the end, they are all hanging, with enough space between them to easily remove one tool without knocking a bunch of other tools off the wall. The best part of this system is that you can see everything. In a matter of seconds, you can grab a hand saw, hammer and whatever else you might need for a project.

Power tools come in their own carrying cases and can be organized on shelves or under the workbench. If it doesn’t have a carrying case and doesn’t fit easily on the pegboard, you can get a plastic container for it. Most power tools have attachments, bits, blades or other things that should be kept with the item, which is why the cases are so nice. If it is hard to tell at a glance what case holds which tool, mark the containers with a Sharpie (they come in metallic colors that can write on dark containers) or put a piece of masking tape on the container and write on the tape.

Screws, nuts, bolts and other hardware should be organized into plastic containers or specially made cabinets that have tiny drawers to hold whatever you have. The little cabinets are great, but can be expensive. Sometimes they are sold with the hardware already inside. You can end up buying a lot of little tiny screws that you may never need.

A more reasonable solution is a plastic 3-drawer container for about $15-20or craft storage bins. You can keep the hardware either in the containers they came in or in disposable Gladware containers. Gladware or Rubbermaid conveniently make containers in a variety of sizes. Get clear containers so you can see what is inside. If you are a recycler, some deli meats come in plastic containers that can be reused for storing little items. Baby food jars are another favorite for organizing small hardware. Place whatever containers you use by type and/or size in the drawers, and later they can be found when needed.

A toolbox is another matter entirely. 

Things tend to get thrown in a toolbox as a project progresses and left in there for all eternity. After a project is completely finished, the hardware and project specific items should go back in the drawers or on the pegboard.  Yes, the toolbox should be organized at the end of every project. Only keep basic items like a hammer, a few screwdrivers, pliers, a tape measure, pencil, flashlight and other things you use regularly in the toolbox. If you put too much in there, it will either be so heavy you can barely lift it or you won’t be able to close it. 

OK — now for THE TALK — I would be remiss if I didn’t make mention of those of you with more tools than you potentially will ever need or use. If you have every hammer that your father, grandfather and dear uncle used, along with all the ones you’ve gotten at flea markets and hardware stores along the years... it might be time to downsize your hammers. Be gentle, but be honest with yourself. I am guessing that you likely use 20% of your tools, 80% of the time. See if you can possibly part with at least the rusty/broken/need-to-repair tools first. Then you can look at selecting your top 2-3 favorite screwdrivers (or top 5-8 maybe?) and continue with the process for all of your duplicate tools. When you downsize tools, you have a much better chance of fitting them in whatever containers you have waiting patiently to be filled.

Enjoy the DIY craze of fixing or building things on your own. You will be amazed at the added enjoyment you will have if you can keep that basement, garage, shed or wherever you keep your tools organized so you know what you have and where it is. I promise, with everything where you can find it, the DIY experience will be better.