Organize your tools

I like tools. Any kind of tools. Whether it is another set of screwdrivers, or another power drill, or a new air tool, it takes a lot of self-discipline to not add tools to my shopping cart every time I walk through a tool department or shop online. Having lots of tools, it can then be equally difficult trying to find the tool that is needed unless tools are organized.

I started organizing my tools with a small tool box I received for Christmas many years ago. At that point, all my tools would fit into it. It was easy finding what I needed because there was only one place to look. But as I added more and more tools to my tool-treasury, it became more difficult to store them.

Another Christmas present helped that out -- a much larger tool chest. My wife is good at picking up on my wishes and needs. The new tool box has four small drawers, two large drawers, a storage compartment on top, and a nice large storage compartment at the bottom. That worked great. I kept it out in the garage where it was always handy for working on my cars, or helping my son work on his. He had a habit of starting a project on his car while I was at work. When I would get home he would ask me to help put it back together. These were more difficult projects that I was always afraid to try on my own car. But he had the courage to just dig right in and try things. That's probably why he knows so much more than I do about just about everything and is so successful at what he is doing. See his creative abilities at work at Toolbarn.com. This will also show you I got some of my tools.

But I digress. Back to organizing tools. As I began adding more cordless power tools and drill bit sets, I soon ran out of room again. I stuffed everything I could into my tool chest. But with the drawers filled to overflowing, it was hard getting at the tool I needed. My solution to better organize my tools was to put some peg board on the wall in our utility room. I used a couple of Home Organizer Peg Hook kits and I was in business. I could hang many of my most used hand tools up where I could see what I had and find them easily. I added two cabinets underneath -- one with three drawers and one with two doors. That holds many of my power tools. My tool chest still holds a lot of my miscellaneous tools. Now the important thing is to just put them back where they belong and I can find any tool when I need it. Refer to my previous post "Organize by putting things back" for a tip in that area.

Have fun organizing your tools. Next time you need one, you'll be glad you did.