Tool Box: Looking for ideas for organizing a toolbox. I have an old toolbox, similar to the one pictured below, in which I have dumped a collection of hand tools accumulated over the...

Jesu S

Looking for ideas for organizing a toolbox. I have an old toolbox, similar to the one pictured below, in which I have dumped a collection of hand tools accumulated over the years. Problem is any time I need something it seems like it's at the bottom of the box and I need to pull everything out to find what I'm looking for. My tool collection is fairly basic - philips and flat head screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, tape measure, glue, scissors, a small level, assorted nuts, bolts and screws, etc.

Elias Amador

To organize, one can store the large tools in the bottom of the toolbox, and the small ones in the tray.
Sort the nails, nuts, bolts and screws by type and store them in small transparent jars; keep them outside of the tool box.

aphelps Loc: Central Ohio

Jesu S wrote:

Looking for ideas for organizing a toolbox. I have an old toolbox, similar to the one pictured below, in which I have dumped a collection of hand tools accumulated over the years. Problem is any time I need something it seems like it's at the bottom of the box and I need to pull everything out to find what I'm looking for. My tool collection is fairly basic - philips and flat head screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, tape measure, glue, scissors, a small level, assorted nuts, bolts and screws, etc.

I have two such boxes. One for open and box end wrenches of both metric and SAE. The other is for large sockets. I use plastic shoe boxes for other tools. For small hardware items I repurpose pill bottles. Just my suggestions.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Give up. I have one just like it. It's been disorganized for forty years.

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

kpmac wrote:

Give up. I have one just like it. It's been disorganized for forty years.

This is my method as well!

Jesu S

Elias Amador wrote:

To organize, one can store the large tools in the bottom of the toolbox, and the small ones in the tray.
Sort the nails, nuts, bolts and screws by type and store them in small transparent jars; keep them outside of the tool box.

Tray? What tray? I think that went AWOL years ago. ☹️

Jesu S

kpmac wrote:

Give up. I have one just like it. It's been disorganized for forty years.

That does not help, but it makes me feel a lot better! 😀😀

BrianFlaherty Loc: Wilseyville, CA

A suggestion that has worked for me for years:

Pop on down to your local thrift (or, "junk") store. . .And, you will find a variety of really neat tool boxes . . .usually selling for under $5. . .I have several including smaller ones for specific tools. My needs are probably similar to most of you: one tool box per car; and, one for "household" tools IN the house; and, several for the garage. I even picked up a couple with interior "fold out" trays for fishing tackle boxes (These are also handy to hold screws; nuts & bolts; etc).

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

A couple of possibilities:

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

TriX wrote:

A couple of possibilities:

I wish I still had my machinist’s toolbox. Photo #1. It was stolen out of my 57 Chevy van when working one day.
But I did have one like the Craftsman. Sold it at a garage sale. Which is sometimes a good place to start.
I looked online at Home Desperately to find prices…..OMG!!! The Craftsman at Sears online is a better deal and better quality.
For the OP’s question, I would probably just buy some plastic storage boxes that would fit inside for the small stuff. Or bite the bullet and open the wallet for a new one.

sourdough58 Loc: Maine

Jesu S wrote:

Looking for ideas for organizing a toolbox. I have an old toolbox, similar to the one pictured below, in which I have dumped a collection of hand tools accumulated over the years. Problem is any time I need something it seems like it's at the bottom of the box and I need to pull everything out to find what I'm looking for. My tool collection is fairly basic - philips and flat head screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, tape measure, glue, scissors, a small level, assorted nuts, bolts and screws, etc.

I have 4 of the old craftsman toolboxes all rusted to some degree, one weighs about 100 lbs+ at a guess, it is packed. What I found that I like very well is this for several reasons #1 is that it can be out in the rain, and with the cover closed and latched keeps the rain out because the "well" that the handle is in and hinges in is watertight, so if you forget it outside or in the back of your truck your tools or asorted nails, screws and stuff is dry, I have one for minor home handyman jobs and is gray, and a yellow one for electric, one for wood carving, and three for trapping baits and lures, one box is for predators like coons, fox, fisher, bobcat, coyote, mink, the other box is for bait and lure for squirrels, rabbit porky-pine, beaver, mice and rats, muskrats and lastly one for trapping tools power drill/screwdriver screws, wire and trap holding devices. https://www.amazon.com/Plano-651-010-20-Inch-Tool-Tray/dp/B0032Y8RIS/ref=asc_df_B0032Y8RIS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309802506143&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7184772506283201709&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9002844&hvtargid=pla-585999814256&psc=1

Dannj

I organize my tool box three or four times a year😳

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Regardless of how many times I organize my tool boxes, the tool I need at the moment is always on the bottom of others.

Jesu S

TriX wrote:

A couple of possibilities:

I like the idea of a tool box with drawers. Thanks.

Jesu S

sourdough58 wrote:

I have 4 of the old craftsman toolboxes all rusted... (show quote)

That’s quite a collection of tool boxes!😀 I only need one for minor jobs around the house because that’s the extent of my handyman skills!!