We’re spilling the highest 10 greatest software storage methods for organizing your workshop in order that your DIY initiatives may be carried out as effectively as potential!
We have now been diving into our basement group venture headfirst this month, and I’m so enthusiastic about our progress!
I’ve been sharing sneak peeks over on Instagram, and each time the digicam swings over to Donnie’s software shelf, I grow to be inundated with DMs saying, “We’d like some form of system to prepare our instruments! What are you guys utilizing?!” so I promised that I might attempt to get Donnie to jot down up a publish about all of his favourite software group methods, and boy did he ever comply!
I’m the primary to confess that I’m solely the second most organized individual in our family. Donnie wins the #1 spot arms down! Over time, he has carried out tons of analysis and testing in the case of discovering the easiest way to prepare his instruments, and I’m so thrilled that he agreed to share his wealth of information right here! I’ll flip it over to him…
I like software storage and group methods virtually as a lot because the instruments themselves. There are few issues extra irritating than needing a particular software and never having the ability to discover it. Home initiatives take lengthy sufficient as is, so it’s past irritating to spend half the time looking for what you want.
Over time I’ve invested in a number of totally different software storage group methods and toolbox methods which have helped me be extra productive with our home initiatives. On this publish I’ll discuss in regards to the software group methods I’ve used and the methods I haven’t used however are value consideration.
I’ll additionally discuss what to think about when shopping for a system. Everybody has totally different wants, and there’s no single system that’s excellent for everybody. By the point you’re carried out studying, you’ll have a superb understanding of the totally different software group options from corporations like…
- Bosch
- Milwaukee
- DeWalt
- Sortimo
- Festool
- Akro-Mils
- Ridgid
- HDX
- Ryobi
Everybody has totally different wants when it comes storing and organizing their instruments. Listed below are among the elements to think about when making a purchase order…
For the storage mechanic or stationary-working kind of individual, it is smart to buy a big software chest with cupboard doorways and drawers. This individual will primarily work from the identical location, so it’s straightforward to open a drawer from a big rolling software chest, seize the hand software they want, and get to work.
My initiatives are all around the home. In the future I could also be upstairs putting in window trim. The subsequent day I could also be fixing a plumbing difficulty within the boys’ rest room. And the subsequent day I could also be putting in cabinets within the storage. I favor transportable and modular software containers and containers over the large and heavy stationary software chests. I would like to have the ability to rapidly transfer my instruments all through all the home.
For the skilled transporting his (or her!) instruments to and from a worksite, the extent of sturdiness they want is approach past the extent of sturdiness that I would like. Shifting storage containers out and in of a truck or work van to the job website every day is hard on software containers.
My instruments not often go away the home. I could take them up and down a couple of flights of stairs, however they’re by no means sliding round at the back of a truck or out within the parts of a building website.
Usually, the extraordinarily sturdy software group methods are additionally heavy. A toolbox that you may drop a cinder block onto with out cracking or denting goes to weigh much more than a brittle plastic container.
But it surely’s a steadiness. It’s no enjoyable to hold toolboxes round which can be heavy and ponderous even earlier than you add any instruments. Max sturdiness is just not at all times the perfect factor for everybody.
The value vary for toolbox methods is vast. If in case you have a lot of instruments and go for the costliest choices, it would really feel such as you’re spending a small fortune in your system.
Usually talking, the costlier methods are a lot nicer, so in case you solely have a small software assortment to prepare and retailer, the sticker shock will not be as unhealthy.
Conversely, when you have a storage or basement stuffed with instruments to prepare, the costliest methods could not make sense.
There are benefits to selecting and utilizing one single software storage system. Many of the software containers and organizers will stack and latch neatly collectively, plus it simply appears to be like spectacular on cabinets if it’s full of 1 single kind of software storage container.
If you’re ranging from scratch, this can be potential. However for many of us, shopping for and organizing instruments occurs over a few years, and it simply will not be potential to have one storage system. That is the state of affairs I’m in. I don’t really feel like there’s a have to obsess over having all matching toolboxes and organizers.
Additionally, remember that there’s nothing fallacious with going slowly. After studying this publish, I like to recommend selecting the storage answer that you just suppose makes probably the most sense to your state of affairs after which buying only a few items. Spend a while with these items and ensure it actually is an effective match earlier than you go all in with a selected system.
This publish accommodates affiliate hyperlinks. For extra info, see my disclosures right here.
my instruments organized in our basement on Gladiator shelving
I’ve been utilizing Bosch L-Boxxes for a few years now. When Abby and I began making movies for our organizing YouTube channel, I wanted to discover a answer for organizing and storing digicam gear and equipment. I wanted one thing light-weight however sturdy, and one thing that stacked properly and seemed good on the cabinets in my workplace.
Right here are some things I like about Bosch L-Boxxes:
- Out there in a number of sizes. I presently have L-Boxx 1s, L-Boxx 1As (similar as 1s however with included divider cups), L-Boxx 2s, and L-Boxx 3s. In addition they have a really tall L-Boxx 4, however I haven’t had a necessity for one thing of that measurement.
- They stack properly. Some methods are laborious to latch collectively, however the L-Boxxes click on properly collectively so it’s potential to hold round a couple of toolbox at a time. (As good because the latches are, they nonetheless don’t examine to the genius stacking and latching system of the Festool Systainers, which I’ll discuss subsequent.)
- High deal with. Having small elements in a few of my L-Boxxes, it’s completely important to have a big and sturdy deal with on the highest of the toolbox. In my expertise, aspect handles (the place the field is on the aspect when carried, just like a briefcase) find yourself un-organizing every little thing within the field when carried, and issues sliding and banging within the software field can break delicate instruments and equipment.
- Prime quality plastic. Sure, the containers are plastic. That could be a priority for skilled contractors taking the toolboxes to job websites, however for a home-owner, the plastic is loads sturdy.
The Milwaukee Packout system and DeWalt Powerful System are actually extra sturdy, however with that sturdiness comes numerous additional weight that may be an enormous deal when carrying the toolboxes round. - Good measurement. For my explicit wants, the L-Boxx measurement and footprint dimensions are completely excellent. They match properly on cabinets and maintain numerous instruments and equipment, however they’re nonetheless straightforward to hold with the extraordinarily vital high deal with. I like some options of different methods higher, like Festool for instance, however I a lot desire the Bosch L-Boxx measurement.
digicam gear organized in one among my Bosch L-Boxxes
noticed blades saved in one among my Bosch L-Boxxes
Total, Bosch L-Boxxes are my favourite software storage system. They aren’t cheap, however they are going to final a very long time and the system isn’t going to vanish and grow to be unavailable.
They have been first launched in Europe and due to their success ultimately made their technique to North America. Up to now yr they’ve made some design tweaks to the toolboxes, however they nonetheless made certain every little thing was backwards suitable and nonetheless labored collectively as a system.
For the house owner or hobbyist that wants cell software storage, Bosch L-Boxxes are an effective way to go. The truth is, it is a system that I presently have plans so as to add extra containers to. Presently, my fundamental on a regular basis toolbox and film hanging equipment are in Festool Systainers. I’d like to change them to Bosch L-Boxx 1s for slightly extra storage.
Donnie’s Favourite Bosch Organizers
When you haven’t heard of Festool, they make high-end woodworking energy instruments. Total, the Festool model could be very costly, and that applies to their Systainer software storage system as effectively.
Festool Systainers are a “system” within the truest sense of the phrase. Festool energy instruments come properly packed within the Systainers. Then you may also purchase empty Systainers, and every little thing matches collectively and locks collectively properly.
Right here’s what I take into consideration the Festool Systainer software storage system…
- Loopy costly. And I actually imply loopy right here. For instance, my fundamental software field that has a couple of of the important hand instruments I would like for on a regular basis home initiatives is in a Sys 2 field. Amazon has it listed proper now for $80. That worth appears ridiculous. I’ve a couple of Systainers that got here with instruments, and I’ve a couple of that I discovered both on sale on-line or purchased at a neighborhood Woodcraft store that was discounted due to a scuff. I don’t consider I’ve by no means paid full worth, and I don’t consider I ever will.
- Nice design. The best way the toolboxes stack and match collectively is nice. The Festool T-Loc system is the perfect locking system I’ve seen. It’s fast, and there’s a visible indicator to know if the containers are locked collectively, closed, or open. It truly is genius.
- Prime quality plastic. These software containers are constructed with prime quality plastic with tight tolerances. They open and shut extra easily than every other system I’ve used. I’ve had no sturdiness points, however once more, in case you are knowledgeable taking containers to a job website, there are extra sturdy and definitely extra economical choices.
- Light-weight. The Systainers are nice to hold round the home. On a typical work day, I could seize my fundamental toolbox and lock it with my image hanging equipment and carry each collectively as much as the highest ground in our home to hold some blinds for Abby. They work completely for this situation, whereas the Milwaukee system or DeWalt system would simply really feel too huge and heavy.
image hanging equipment organized with the Festool Systainer
- High deal with. The highest deal with is giant and durable. I’m solely ready to make use of a Systainer for my image hanging equipment due to the highest deal with. The software field won’t ever be on its aspect the place every little thing inside would get disorganized.
- Not the perfect measurement. The Systainers are small. The footprint is tiny, even compared with the Bosch L-Boxxes. The small measurement is sweet for carrying them round the home, however I simply can’t match a lot into every field. This forces me to get much more containers at exorbitant costs. I desire the L-Boxx sizing for many wants.
The Festool Systainers are a well-designed product however not definitely worth the worth for most individuals. If you’re knowledgeable woodworker doing a lot of shopper work, packing and unpacking your instruments, the comfort could also be value it. Or in case you are already closely invested in Festool energy instruments, the Systainers could make sense for you. For most individuals, although, I believe there are alternatives that make extra sense.
Donnie’s Favourite Festool Organizers
The Ridgid Professional Toolboxes have been the primary official software storage “system” I purchased into. They have been launched in 2014. At the moment we have been within the townhouse and my instruments have been both in tremendous low cost and flimsy toolboxes or unfold out on a chunk of plywood sitting on noticed horses– not a great setup for working effectively.
The Ridgid system has had good endurance, they usually’ve persistently added new items over time. I believe they’re an amazing worth and perhaps the best choice for many individuals. Nonetheless, there are a couple of negatives which have prevented me from going all out with their system.
Right here’s what I take into consideration the Ridgid Professional Toolbox system…
- Nice worth. In comparison with different methods, the Ridgid Professional collection looks like a cut price. The most important wheeled toolbox is often round $60 and costs go down from there to the $20 storage crate. In contrast with among the different methods, you get numerous storage quantity to your cash.
- Extraordinarily sturdy. I’m not notably laborious on my toolboxes, however the Ridgid Professional collection appears virtually indestructible. They’re far more sturdy than I may ever want. The plastic is thick, and the containers also have a rubber gasket to maintain the weather out.
- Heavy. It is a unfavourable for me. The medium measurement software field feels heavy even earlier than including any instruments. Fill it to the highest with hand instruments, and will probably be tough to hold by hand. The Ridgid Professional collection containers are considerably heavier than the Bosch L-Boxxes. For some folks, the load isn’t a difficulty they usually could favor the tremendous sturdiness over the heavy weight.
- High quality dolly system. The most important field acts as the bottom of the system. It has sturdy wheels and a telescoping deal with. The opposite containers stack on high and latch.
This may be a great state of affairs for worksite use, unloading the containers out of a truck after which wheeling them to the place they’re wanted. For me, the dolly facet isn’t used. My instruments are saved within the basement, however most of my work occurs upstairs in the home someplace. The dolly doesn’t assist that situation.
- Straightforward stacking and latching. The ft on the containers stack properly on high of one another, even with out latching, however the aspect handles swing up and lock into the toolbox above. It’s a superb system that’s fast to make use of.
- The “Professional Organizer” doesn’t have a high deal with. To me, that is the most important unfavourable in all the collection. The Professional Organizer is the right measurement for many of my wants. The truth is, I take advantage of one to retailer my Ryobi Airstrike and all of its equipment. It has a pleasant divider and detachable storage cups.
However the big difficulty is that there isn’t any deal with on the highest of the field such as you discover on Bosch L-Boxxes. After I carry the Professional Organizer utilizing the aspect deal with, all the contents slide round and might get unorganized. That is the only largest difficulty that has prevented me from investing extra into this method.
Moreover, when two Professional Organizers are latched collectively, as a result of there isn’t any high deal with, you must seize one aspect deal with which places every little thing off steadiness and makes it awkward to hold. The underside line is that this method is supposed to be wheeled round. If wheeling your instruments round on the dolly isn’t very best for you, this most likely isn’t the perfect system. That is unlucky as a result of I initially deliberate to have a devoted electrical and devoted plumbing software field within the Professional Organizers as a result of they’re the right measurement with the right quantity of inside group. The dearth of high deal with satisfied me in any other case.
- Glorious “open high” storage crate. The Ridgid Professional Crate is my favourite piece in all the line. They’re low cost, loopy sturdy, pretty light-weight, and stack fantastically. I take advantage of them to retailer some cumbersome objects like air compressor hoses and clamps. I plan so as to add extra of the crates to my assortment.
- The Small Elements Organizer rounds out the gathering. I haven’t used this piece as a result of it’s pretty new, however the Small Elements Organizer fills a significant hole within the system. It stacks and latches identical to all the opposite items, nevertheless it has a transparent high and ten detachable storage bins, some with dividers. This was a wanted piece within the system.
- Straightforward to search out in inventory at Residence Depot. It’s good to have the ability to stroll right into a Residence Depot and really put your arms on the software containers. That’s one thing I can’t do with the L-Boxxes or the Festool Systainers. And after I want so as to add one other piece, I can simply run out to Residence Depot and seize one.
The Ridgid Professional Toolboxes are a terrific possibility for many individuals. It’s a terrific steadiness of worth, measurement, and sturdiness. If in case you have a lot of instruments to retailer however nonetheless need a good system, this would be the most economical possibility.
For some, the highest deal with difficulty I harp about isn’t any huge deal. If that’s you, this could possibly be a terrific system. For my wants, the sturdiness is overkill and the dolly system, whereas extraordinarily effectively constructed, doesn’t assist with the setup of my home. I’m an enormous fan of the crates, and people shall be a part of my system on into the long run.
Donnie’s Favourite Ridgid Organizers
I wished to say this Ryobi system as a result of I take advantage of it and like it, however sadly, they’re often not out there in North America. My great spouse Abby discovered them at a Direct Instruments Outlet and purchased them for me as a birthday present. And what a present it was! I haven’t seen them at this software outlet since.
The Toolblox cupboard is my solely stationary storage system. Within the system, I retailer instruments and equipment that keep within the basement, equivalent to sure clamps that I take advantage of with my work bench and woodworking instruments that I take advantage of with my miter noticed. It’s additionally the place I retailer a mud masks and my software vest.
The thought behind the system is all of those stacking and modular items. They snap collectively after which all relaxation on a top quality dolly that rolls round simply.
I believe all the system with all the cupboards, drawers, and base was round $300. For prime quality storage like this, I believe it was a terrific worth.
When you reside in Australia, the Toolblox system could also be straightforward to search out. When you’re in North America, chances are you’ll be out of luck until you occur to stumble into one like we did on the software outlet.
Akro-Mils Storage Tote
I don’t use these totes for instruments, however I’ve seen others use them in that approach. They’re the storage totes that I take advantage of in our storage to retailer tenting, fishing, and backpacking gear. I’m mentioning them right here as a result of I’ve been impressed with their sturdiness.
In addition they stack effectively, they usually’re an affordable worth for the cash. If that you must retailer larger, less-frequently-accessed instruments, these totes could also be a superb possibility for you. They actually aren’t cell with out a good deal with or latching lid, however for pure storage quantity, these are nice.
Techniques I Haven’t Used However Are Price Contemplating
It is a comparatively new system that Milwaukee launched in 2017, and it might simply be the perfect modular software field system out there. Sadly I’ve by no means used this method. For that matter, I’ve by no means even seen them in individual. They’re out there on-line, however I haven’t seen any items of this method at our native Residence Depot.
This method have to be fairly in style as a result of in a couple of brief years, it’s already been constructed out to incorporate a rolling toolbox, a big software field, small software field, and quite a few small elements organizers. It’s a whole assortment already.
For my wants, probably the most interesting storage container on this line is the massive software field. The small software field doesn’t have a high deal with, and you recognize that’s an enormous difficulty for me. Pairing the massive toolbox with one of many Packout small elements organizers could possibly be a terrific answer for an on a regular basis toolbox / organizer that you may simply carry round the home.
Whereas this method appears good, it’s additionally about twice the price of the Ridgid Professional Toolbox line. For some, the superior design and performance of the Milwaukee software containers could also be value it. For others it received’t be value it.
Donnie’s Favourite Milwaukee Organizers
DeWalt Powerful System
picture supply
The DeWalt Powerful System could possibly be a superb center floor between the Ridgid Professional Toolbox System and the Milwaukee Packout system for somebody on the lookout for ultra-durable contractor-grade wheeled storage. The value falls in between the 2 opponents, however it’s nonetheless nearer in worth to the Ridgid containers.
To me, the perfect factor in regards to the DeWalt Powerful System is the small case. It has a lot of good inner storage and, not like the Ridgid Professional small toolbox, it has a high deal with! Which means that you may carry the toolbox round with out every little thing shifting and rolling round on the within. The one downside is that it’s about twice the associated fee.
The DeWalt Powerful System additionally has a workshop racking system to carry the containers for a couple of hundred {dollars}. However to me, you may spend $100 and get a really sturdy shelving unit just like the Gladiator one I take advantage of for my instruments.
Donnie’s Favourite DeWalt Organizers
Small Elements Storage
A publish on software storage choices wouldn’t be full with out mentioning small elements storage. I’m speaking about screws, washers, and all method of different {hardware}. It’s vital to have a system for storing all of those small elements. As an example, it’s good to have the ability to rapidly discover a #8 3/4″ machine screw, with out digging via piles and baggage of {hardware}.
Listed below are my favourite small elements organizers…
Sortimo T-Boxx
In my view, the Sortimo T-Boxx small elements organizers are the best possible storage answer for workshop {hardware}. My preliminary inspiration for utilizing Sortimo merchandise got here from Adam Savage of Fantasy Busters fame.
A couple of years in the past I discovered a superb deal on Amazon UK for the storage containers and purchased a handful. I then proceeded to label every detachable container and fill out the containers with {hardware}. This was the most effective issues I’ve carried out for woodworking and workshop productiveness. Sure, it was an expensive to do that. However I’ll by no means have to purchase one other system. These will final me without end.
What makes these containers so nice is the scale. The footprint is giant, however the containers are shallow. With the clear lid, it’s really easy to see every little thing within the container, and the detachable cups make it straightforward to rearrange my {hardware} in a approach that is smart; I can simply seize the little cup of the actual {hardware} I would like.
They stack properly collectively, and I can retailer a lot due to what number of little cups are in every container. The latches are additionally very sturdy, and I haven’t had any difficulty with small elements drifting from one field to a different, even when holding the containers the wrong way up and shaking.
After I bought mine years in the past, they have been solely out there in Europe, apart from folks with Sortimo company accounts. I believe issues have modified a bit lately, and they’re simpler to search out within the States, however the costs have additionally gone up some. Even with present costs, I believe it’s value it. It’s a one-time buy that you’ll by no means should make once more. I’m glad I spent the time setting these up.
HDX Double Sided Small Elements Organizers
These low cost HDX organizers have been my first foray into lastly tackling my mess of screws, nails, nuts, bolts, and washers. These little containers are surprisingly good for the worth.
The draw back is that they’re small, and the clear plastic lids are considerably milky, making it laborious to see what’s in every container.
Nonetheless, for ten {dollars}, I don’t suppose anybody shall be upset with these containers. It could possibly be a superb answer for organizing {hardware} in case you don’t need spend the cash on the a lot bigger and nicer Sortimo organizers.
Milwaukee 10 Compartment Small Half Organizer
I take advantage of and love these containers for issues that don’t make sense for the small compartments of my Sortimo system. The detachable cups within the Milwaukee organizer are a lot bigger than the HDX organizer and Sortimo organizer, so to me, it doesn’t make sense for conventional {hardware} like screws and nails, nevertheless it’s nice for barely bigger objects.
In mine, I retailer random objects like hinges, eye hooks, and different mounting {hardware}. These are issues that don’t make sense to retailer in a conventional toolbox, however are too huge for my Sortimo.
The Milwaukee organizers also can latch collectively utilizing latches on the aspect of the container, which is a pleasant characteristic.
For about $20, these are a terrific worth, however bear in mind that they predate the Milwaukee Packout System and should not suitable.
Donnie’s Favourite Small Elements Organizers
Store the Submit
Whew! I do know that was a ton of information, however I hope it gave you some good concepts for software storage methods that might work greatest to your house and household!
Greatest Device Storage Techniques: Continuously Requested Questions
We additionally know that this isn’t a very exhaustive listing, so when you have one other software storage system that you just use and love, you should definitely inform us about it within the feedback in order that we are able to test it out too!
[Psssttt… Organize every room of your house with our 100 best home organization tips!]
Thanks a lot for following alongside! Have a beautiful week!
This publish accommodates affiliate hyperlinks. For extra info, see my disclosures right here.
