What is the best way to organize misc. tools, etc... in the garage?

Answer 1

If you have a fixed set of tools, the nicest way is to have a set of framed panels with the frames deep enough on each side for the tools to fit below them (no protrusion when viewed from the side.) Each tool is given a space with a matched holder and a painted outline if the holder does not outline the tool so a missing tool is obvious. Related tools are together (all cabinet making, all measuring, etc.) so looking at one panel gives access to most of the choices for a job. If space is available, the panels are mounted on a wall, but more often they are hinged to allow overlap of several panels and access to both sides.
If you don't have a settled tool supply, one choice is to hang them on hooks on pegboard, where the hooks can be rearranged.
I use a commercial tool box with shallow drawers to hold related tools in each drawer - socket wrenches in one, plier like in another, measuring in another, end use tools (like screwdrivers, chisels, awls) in another. I have one deep drawer dedicated to long wide odd tools I use often enough including a hammer, a couple of hacksaws and a heavy pipe wrench. But I have decided I like modular units I can build quickly, stack easily, and organize in various ways. A number of these are shown here
http://users.ticnet.com/mikefirth/projects.htm#STKSHLV
One has a bunch of welding stuff - the whole collection of clamps and corner braces can be moved together. Another has forging tools. Two hold the many hammers I have with the handles sticking out the side marked with a letter code for the kind of hammer (sledge, ball peen, lead, brass, claw, rubber, pick). Another has all the masonary tools - floats, cold chisels, trowels, etc.

Answer 2

Well you should probably use multiple organization methods. I love peg board and metal wire shelving. You can pick these up at your local Home Depot or Lowes. When you buy peg board figure out the length and width you need. They will cut these at Home Depot for you if you ask. Then purchase a couple of 8 foot 1x3 or 1x4. These are 3/4 of an inch thick and you will have to cut them at angles as you would moulding. Fit these to the back of the peg board and screw them in with 3/4" drywall screws. Then attach them to the wall with the appropriate anchors. (ie, Concrete use tapcons and drwyall there are many options) The screws should be easy to find in the fastener section of any hardware, Home Depot or Lowes. Good Luck

Answer 3

I am a peg board man myself. I don't buy much new, you can go to an auction and buy hangers right in the store that went out of business.

I also like the metal or plastic hang up boxes with drawers for taps, dies, handles, and that sort of thing.

I like rubbermaid tackle boxes for small amounts of things like wirenuts, crimp connectors, diagonals, cheap meter, ect.

Go to lowes, home depot, walmart, ect and look at things. Don't buy it, just look at it and digest it for a few days while looking through your stuff. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Buy some Masonite peg board and the hooks and attach it to your walls and hang the tools off of it. You can adjust the hooks to different widths to use 2 if needed for tools to hang between.

Answer 5

When you get this answer, I would love to see it ..... My shop is a shambles, but I know exactly where everything is.....When ever my son desides to straighten it out, I can't find anything L.O.L.

Answer 6

Probably by "What it is used for....eg garden....lawn...driveway