Tool storage solutions are as varied as the contractors who use the tools. Whether you’re doing electrical, mechanical, plumbing, carpentry or remodeling work, there’s a tool solution that’s right for you.
Soft storage
Tool belts made of polyester, nylon, canvas or leather come in a wide range of styles to fit an equally wide range of job types and tool needs. Tool belts are an easy way to organize tools for specific jobs.
“We use enclosed tool trailers,” says Alberto Santoni of general contracting firm Santoni International Builders. “But for jobs that are just going to take a few days, we use tool bags organized for the specific job. It’s a lot cheaper to haul a couple of bags to the job site than it is to bring the entire trailer.”
Tool aprons and modular tool belts, usually made of leather or nylon, feature pockets and specialized compartments for nails, pliers, measuring tapes, and phones or two-way radios; hammer loops; and sleeves for holding crowbars, flashlights and more. For example, the Klein 10-Pocket Tool Pouch and Belt Set has four large capacity pockets, two pockets for pliers, four screwdriver loops and a knife snap.
Tool totes are flexible containers that stand alone or attach to other containers. The Husky Bucket Jockey, for example, slips over a bucket and features 62 storage pockets, including a hammer holder and a drill holster with storage for 12 bits.
Tip: Avoid leaving tools in your belt after work. A fully loaded belt can stretch over time, causing it to crack or wear out more quickly.
Hard storage
Tool chests and boxes are typically aluminum or steel, but advances in materials, such as polymers and structural foam, have made it possible to create larger tool boxes that are both light and sturdy. When your job requires large tool boxes, fill them with smaller boxes and bags to keep the tools and the job orderly.
“We prefer big tool boxes with smaller cases or boxes inside so workers only take what they need from the truck to the jobsite,” says Ramón Fernández, general assistant with Chicagoland Developers Group. “The most important thing is to keep your tools separated by job type. Keep woodworking tools separate from drywalling and electrical tools, etc. That way you can grab what you need fast.”
Mobile workstations are another portable hard storage option. The Stanley FatMax Mobile Work Station, for example, is a “shop on wheels.” Its multi-level design provides easy access to four storage areas: a toolbox, bins for smaller parts, a portable tray and an oversized bin for larger items. The FatMax also features heavy-duty construction, sturdy wheels and a telescoping handle for easy transport.
Tip: Label storage boxes so you can easily identify the contents without opening them.
Truck boxes
Truck boxes, which mount to pickups, trucks and trailers, are a great way to ensure you always have the tools you need at the job. Typically, they’re made of hardened plastic, aluminum or steel, and they feature drawers and compartments similar to those found in your shop.
While some truck boxes are designed to use free space on the underbody or wheel well of a vehicle, others use space along rails and inside truck beds. In addition to providing safe, dry storage for tools, some truck boxes extend beyond the vehicle’s dimensions to provide additional storage or work space.
For example, the aluminum Tradesman TALG581 has a dual-lid gull-wing cross-bed box for full-size truck beds and a sturdy, one-piece no-sag base. The cross-bed design allows ample storage below the box for full use of the truck bed.
Tip: Chose a truck box with a gull-wing design for easy to access tools from either side of the truck.
Whatever method you choose, storing your tools properly will not only make them easier to find and use, it will prolong their life and protect your investment.
—By Tori MartĂnez
Tips for organizing tools
1. Store frequently used tools in the most accessible location.
2. Put tools away in their proper locations when you aren’t using them.
3. Don’t try to fit too many tools in one tool belt, bag or box.
4. Use more than one storage device to divide tools into specific tasks.
5. Label storage boxes so you can easily identify the contents without opening them.
6. In a tool belt, keep frequently used items, such as hammers, pencils and wrenches on the same side as your dominant hand. Put helper tools and fasteners, such as chisels and nails, on the opposite side.
Sample tool bag of a remodeler
Look in a remodeler’s tool bag, and you’re likely to find the following essentials:
- Hammer
- Tape measure
- Nails, screws and other fasteners
- Screwdriver
- Pliers
- Pencil and chalk line
- Level
- Utility knife
- Safety glasses
- Work gloves
- Power drill and bits