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  #1  
Old 04-19-2011, 01:32 PM
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How do you organize your tools...

Ok -this may be a silly question but I've got to ask it since so many of you are at expert level in car repair and no doubt you've developed some basic habits that I need to improve on, so here it goes:

I consider myself a pretty organized person in general, but for whatever reason I just can't get my tools well organized or well placed when I work on the car. It seems that I end up with tools all over the engine bay and I'm either always looking for that wrench that was here somewhere or I close the hood on a screw driver and chip the paint (dang it!!!) or leave something under there and drive with it on the engine bay for a week and find it next time I check oil... it's getting out of control for me and I have to improve in this area.

I once watched my brother in law (a professional plumber) get his materials, tools and work area organized so well that he hardly even had to leave the work area and was very efficient at doing the work that it made me wish I could get that way when I work on my car.

So let's hear it: is you work area a giant mess, or are your tools neatly organized and within reach where you can always find them....

James

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  #2  
Old 04-19-2011, 01:40 PM
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I use one tool at a time and then try and put them back in the carrying case or tool box from whence they came. I don't like a half dozen or more wrenches under the hood or on the floor when working on a car.
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  #3  
Old 04-19-2011, 01:41 PM
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my tools are grouped into their own drawers in the toolbox.

Each drawer has type of tool-

1. screwdrivers and 'blades'
2. wrenches
3. pliers and all its relatives
4. ratchets and sockets
5. hammers and woodworking tools
6. the bottom bin- tools that don't fit any of the drawers above i.e. flywheel pullers, etc
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  #4  
Old 04-19-2011, 01:46 PM
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I love socket holders like this: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM2092146303P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2 Big time saver for a disorganized person like myself.
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  #5  
Old 04-19-2011, 02:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MercFan View Post
It seems that I end up with tools all over the engine bay and I'm either always looking for that wrench that was here somewhere or I close the hood on a screw driver and chip the paint (dang it!!!) or leave something under there and drive with it on the engine bay for a week and find it next time I check oil...
I have something similar to this Sunex work table, but without the drawer. I don't use it for long-term storage, but as something to roll up next to a vehicle while working on it.

If a tool doesn't go back immediately to the tool cabinet from where it came, it goes on the cart, not somewhere under the hood. There's plenty of room on the cart for holding smallish parts as they come off; an old muffin tin makes it easier to keep track of the little stuff. Gloves, paper towels, LED light stick, miscellaneous materials, etc. may hang out on the cart, too, depending on the job.
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  #6  
Old 04-19-2011, 02:10 PM
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Organised - ha that'll be the day. I tidy up every month when it gets so bad it takes more time to find tools than to do the job.

I do however have a system where once a tool gets used and I can't get it back to the proper place it goes into the dump box
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  #7  
Old 04-19-2011, 02:15 PM
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I throw a few random tools into each area that I occupy. Each of my cars has a few. My basement, garage, and bedroom have some, too. There's always a tool close at hand, but it's usually not the RIGHT tool . . . .
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  #8  
Old 04-19-2011, 02:33 PM
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I don't. That's why everything takes me twice as long as it should to accomplish. One of these days I'll get organized. No, really, I will!
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  #9  
Old 04-19-2011, 02:43 PM
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I'm just a tinker-Dad, but I try to organize like "benhogan" posted. He probably has a nice professional set of Matco tools, versus my hybrid potpourri of whatever I managed to collect over the years...including a couple of screwdrivers left by some thieves who left midway into breaking into my car!

I even have the socket organizers, but since I can't expertly eyeball the correct socket for the job, I wind up yanking out 5 or six sockets that "appear" to fit, only to wind up putting them all back since I pulled out the metric ones and the bolt is an SAE type!

I probably should label the drawers on my toolkit, since I wind up opening several drawers anyway...I can't remember which ones have the drill bits or the crecent wrenches!
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  #10  
Old 04-19-2011, 02:50 PM
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Since many have seen the pic of my desk I won't try to b.s. anyone. My system consists of a couple 5 gal. buckets and a couple hand-me-down toolboxes I got from my grandfather with stuff thrown in them. It's a hunt and peck method. Someday when I grow up and become organized I'll invest in a good chest but right now it'd be a waste since I'd just throw them around.
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  #11  
Old 04-19-2011, 02:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SwampYankee View Post
Since many have seen the pic of my desk I won't try to b.s. anyone. My system consists of a couple 5 gal. buckets and a couple hand-me-down toolboxes I got from my grandfather with stuff thrown in them. It's a hunt and peck method. Someday when I grow up and become organized I'll invest in a good chest but right now it'd be a waste since I'd just throw them around.
Sounds like you need to make a "bucket list" Swamp!
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  #12  
Old 04-19-2011, 02:59 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by G-Benz View Post
Sounds like you need to make a "bucket list" Swamp!
HA-it'd be frighteningly long.
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  #13  
Old 04-19-2011, 03:01 PM
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Having been a member of 7 different 5-S teams, I've become quite anal about how my tools are stored. Each drawer is foam lined with cutouts for each tool. This way I know if something is missing or not, and I'm not looking everywhere for it. I also have each drawer labeled.
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  #14  
Old 04-19-2011, 03:03 PM
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Actually, I can see the tool I need in my mind and usually go right to it. Even though they are scattered around here and there, I can usually go right to it when I need something. That always amazes me.
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1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
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Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles
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  #15  
Old 04-19-2011, 03:19 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eskimo View Post
I have something similar to this Sunex work table
... love it - I should buy myself one of these. This would allow me to roll it close to the vehicle and keep everything on it instead of under the hood... it would be a start.

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