Looking for toolbox organization ideas

[m1kemex]

Never, I repeat never leave a precision tool in an open case, be that in a drawer or otherwise. The cases are designed to protect the tool from damage and leaving the cases open defeats that purpose.

Don't be so radical. A decent tool chest with narrow drawers and custom foam pockets does just as good.

 

[ChazzC]

As an aside to my prior post, I will say this... group tools by type and label the drawers to list contents. It is a huge timesaver.

You’ve been sneaking into my shop again!

 

[GrifterGuru]

You’ve been sneaking into my shop again!

@ChazzC

Nah, just looking across at my tool cabints

Don't be so radical. A decent tool chest with narrow drawers and custom foam pockets does just as good.

@m1kemex

A precision tool, supplied in a specific case, such as a micrometer or vernier, or other precision tool, is so supplied such that the tool remains protected and free from damage when that case is used, otherwise it would not have been supplied in any form of case.

Besides, those cases are the result of R&D by the supplying tool company to protect the contents in the way they deem they need to be protected and stored.

Custom foam pockets do not offer the same protection. Sure, that stuff may be ok for screwdrivers, pliers and spanners so go ahead, but not for precision tools supplied with a proper case.

 

[m1kemex]

Custom foam pockets do not offer the same protection. Sure, that stuff may be ok for screwdrivers, pliers and spanners so go ahead, but not for precision tools supplied with a proper case.

I'm skeptical. During the Pandemic I forgot to take some of my micrometers back into their cases and they spent more than a year just sitting at my parent's house improvised shop with only some glass fiber sheet roofing. It's far from weather proof and a lot of sunlight and dust goes in . When I realized it I went to check them and, to my surprise, they didn't rust anywhere. After a simple cleanup they still operate perfectly and are accurate as ever.

I know what you're saying is theoretically true, but I doubt you have actually performed a test to confirm your claim that a custom foam pocket in a tool chest drawer protects a measuring tool worse than the original case. Actually, I'm pretty certain that many of the cases of my instruments consist of a custom foam pocket, just inside a little box.

 

[GrifterGuru]

I'm skeptical. During the Pandemic I forgot to take some of my micrometers back into their cases and they spent more than a year just sitting at my parent's house improvised shop with only some glass fiber sheet roofing. It's far from weather proof and a lot of sunlight and dust goes in . When I realized it I went to check them and, to my surprise, they didn't rust anywhere. After a simple cleanup they still operate perfectly and are accurate as ever.

I know what you're saying is theoretically true, but I doubt you have actually performed a test to confirm your claim that a custom foam pocket in a tool chest drawer protects a measuring tool worse than the original case. Actually, I'm pretty certain that many of the cases of my instruments consist of a custom foam pocket, just inside a little box.

I have seen what that foam can do to certain materials. Granted it may not be all types of foam that can be used and it may be the modern foams are far better than previously, but what I have seen certainly proved a warning to me.

It is more to do with atmospheric moisture settling and not dispersing than anything else. At least in a closeable case there is a form of mitigation to moisture settlement.

 

[RaisedByWolves]

@ChazzC

Nah, just looking across at my tool cabints



@m1kemex

A precision tool, supplied in a specific case, such as a micrometer or vernier, or other precision tool, is so supplied such that the tool remains protected and free from damage when that case is used, otherwise it would not have been supplied in any form of case.

Besides, those cases are the result of R&D by the supplying tool company to protect the contents in the way they deem they need to be protected and stored.

Custom foam pockets do not offer the same protection. Sure, that stuff may be ok for screwdrivers, pliers and spanners so go ahead, but not for precision tools supplied with a proper case.

I agree with this n full.

However…..


Some tools now come in cases that are much bigger than they need to be simply for tha sake of economics on the manufacturers part.

I have the edge tools mini tram set and the case insert fits the tool, but the outer shell is big enough to fit the full size tram tool.

That’s annoying.

 

[jarhead]

Youtube "Functional Print Friday" has several ideas. Some will like them, some will not.

 

[ChazzC]

Some tools now come in cases that are much bigger than they need to be simply for the sake of economics on the manufacturers part.

That’s annoying.

I agree: I like the older, metal cases that Starrett used (and sometimes still does): they are better sized than the red plastic cases.

 

[ChazzC]

I have seen what that foam can do to certain materials. Granted it may not be all types of foam that can be used and it may be the modern foams are far better than previously, but what I have seen certainly proved a warning to me.

Another reason I like the manufacturer’s cases: the foams they use are less likely to be an issue.

 

[ARC-170]

Thanks everyone! Much appreciated. The Lead Instructor has made it clear he wants them in the closed cases.

At the other school I teach at we have the mics and calipers in wood cutouts in tool chest drawers. They are cheap ones because the students WILL drop them, so we aren't worried about keeping them perfect. Some of the older students bring their own and they treat them like fine china.

After spending several hours organizing the shop, I have determined we have enough drawers for everything, so having room is not an issue.

I'm going to suggest that we have some sort of check-out procedure for each machine so we an account for all the equipment and make sure the machine is clean and ready for the next class.